The New Product Introduction (NPI) Project Manager is responsible for achieving Product Launch Excellence by managing all New Product Introduction (NPI) projects from initiation to close. The Project Manager works closely with various local NKA departments, other U.S. subsidiaries, and the NKC parent office in Japan to ensure project deliverables and implementations are completed on time and according to business priorities. This position has end-to-end responsibility for the success of NKA Marketing’s most complex and critical projects.

The Project Manager is responsible for applying PMP (Project Management Professional) methodology to establish, implement and maintain organizational Project Management best practice processes for reviewing new NPI project requests (ex. stage reviews and phase gate signoffs, etc.), recalibrating and optimizing the NPI procedure itself, and contributing to process improvement of cross-departmental workflows, such as Change Control, Document Control, & Resource Allocation.

Key success factors include working directly with Marketing, Operations, QA/RA, Clinical, Engineering, and Service to ensure that the triple constraint of time / quality / cost are appropriately balanced according to the specific needs of each project and that project risks are identified, escalated, and mitigated in a timely manner.

Essential Functions and Main Duties

• Execute NPI roadmap as set by management. Mobilize local and remote resources to deliver supporting hardware, software, and services in sync with launch timelines. Accurately scope project work, confirm business priorities, and identify any associated schedule or resource constraints.
• Manage multiple projects, project resources, and project governance. Ensure project plans and priorities are clearly defined and communicated to all stakeholders on a recurring basis via appropriate dashboards and reports. Key elements of each plan include agreed-upon deliverables, parties responsible for execution, identified risks, phase gates and associated timelines.
• Manage project change control procedures and processes, ensuring compliance with regulatory and company requirements. Revise SOPs and supporting documentation as needed.
• Provide regular updates on project portfolio and product roadmap progress to management and key stakeholders. Organize and lead NPI Review Board with cross-functional leadership to maintain organizational alignment on product launch plans and move successfully through phase gate reviews and signoffs.
• Manage Project Management information systems to ensure that project team and stakeholders have access to all current and relevant project documents.
• Establish project management processes in alignment with portfolio management processes. Capture and communicate experiences in formal post-mortem - relaying best practices, customer experience, and resource feedback; use this feedback to improve processes.
• Effectively manage the relationship and deliverables for internal partners (in particular, NKA sister companies: NK Digital Health Solutions, Neurotronics, & OrangeMed) as well as external vendors to ensure timely and successful execution of projects.
• Adhere to all company policies, procedures, and business ethics codes.
• Duties may be modified or assigned at any time based on business need.

Qualification

Education / Certification / Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or related discipline; Master’s degree in a technical or business discipline preferred; relevant education and experience accepted in lieu of degree
• PMP Certification preferred
• 3+ years of experience with managing technical projects; within medical device industry preferred
• Strong knowledge of Nihon Kohden products
• Thorough understanding of project management principles and methodologies
• Experience interacting with multiple departments, internal stakeholders, and external vendors
• Demonstrated success in documenting project plans, tracking project progress, and delivering results
• Demonstrated success managing complex project portfolios and leading project review boards with senior management
• Level and compensation depend on location, experience, education and skills

Competencies Required

• Possess and maintain thorough knowledge of NK product lines and technology, as well as standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the medical device field.

• Proven track record of managing complex projects to successful completion, delivering on-time, on-target.
• Ability to motivate and manage direct and cross-functional resources to drive business results.
• Communicate clearly and professionally through effective listening, speaking and writing skills. Articulate; writes clear and concise instructions, policies and on-going communications with employees. Able to speak and present information to internal and external groups.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite, and other relevant programs pertaining to products and Marketing, including ability to work with data and create graphs, charts, etc. Experience with Smartsheet, JIRA, & Microsoft Teams strongly preferred.
• Actively engages to resolve project-related issues.
• Good conceptual, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Well-organized and accustomed to maintaining excellent records with lots of detail
• Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing, and to receive and understand verbal and written instructions in English
• Able to work effectively both independently and in a collaborative team environment

Compensation

The anticipated range for this position is $66,000 to $95,000. Actual placement within the range is dependent on multiple factors, including but not limited to skills, education, experience and location.

Perks and Benefits

Visit our Career page to learn more about Perks & Benefits and working at Nihon Kohden America

Working Conditions

Schedule: The regular hours for this full-time position are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday, unless otherwise stated by the department manager. Holiday, weekend, and evening work hours may be required. Regular hours may vary due to the needs of the organization or department and are subject to change at any time at the Company’s discretion.

Physical: Generally, may require some reaching, bending, stooping, squatting, crawling, kneeling, pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying up to 25 pounds, finger dexterity, repetitive motions, standing, walking, sitting, hearing, visual acuity, and color vision. More specific details may be provided as needed or requested.

Travel: Minimal

Access to Customer Sites: Not Required

Nihon Kohden America’s official EEO policy statement follows. In keeping with this policy, Nihon Kohden America will continue to recruit, hire, train, and promote into all job levels the most qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, or because he or she is a protected veteran. Similarly, Nihon Kohden America will continue to administer all other personnel matters (such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, company-sponsored training, education, tuition assistance, and social and recreational programs) in accordance with Company policy. Nihon Kohden America bases employment decisions on objective standards as much as possible in the furtherance of equal employment opportunity.

If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law, or you require a religious accommodation, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to applying for employment at Nihon Kohden, please contact Human Resources.