Program Manager

Global (NPD) Program Manager - Galway

Overview:

The NPD Program Manager plays a pivotal role in leading and coordinating New Product Development initiatives from concept through to market launch. This role is responsible for managing project timelines, resources, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure the successful delivery of new products. The ideal candidate is a strategic and detail-oriented professional with strong project management skills and the ability to drive execution across global teams.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Execution

• Lead multiple NPD projects, ensuring alignment with scope, timelines, and deliverables in collaboration with project owners.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project documentation, including charters, timelines, and status updates.
• Facilitate execution of the stage-gate process, ensuring milestones are achieved and approvals secured.
• Proactively identify risks and develop mitigation strategies to address potential project delays or issues.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as the primary liaison among cross-functional teams including Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Marketing, Product Innovation, and Sales.
• Partner with NPD Quality Leads to ensure adherence to regulatory and quality standards.
• Coordinate with external partners, including vendors, contract manufacturers, and suppliers to ensure timely project delivery and compliance with specifications.

Process Optimization

• Evaluate and enhance NPD workflows, documentation practices, and approval processes.
• Standardize project tracking tools and systems (e.g., Smartsheet, Tableau) to improve transparency and operational efficiency.
• Support the creation and maintenance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and NPD best practices.

Budget & Resource Management

• Assist in monitoring NPD project budgets and ensuring cost-effective use of resources.
• Track team workload and resource allocation to maintain project momentum and prevent bottlenecks.

Performance Tracking & Reporting

• Monitor key performance indicators such as time-to-market, budget adherence, and product quality.
• Produce weekly progress updates and monthly executive-level reports on NPD performance.
• Lead post-launch evaluations to analyze project outcomes and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Training & Stakeholder Engagement

• Deliver training on NPD processes, project management tools, and governance frameworks to internal teams.
• Ensure consistent global communication and alignment across regional stakeholders.
• Facilitate cross-functional engagement and manage expectations through clear, consistent communication.

General Administrative & Ad-Hoc Support

• Contribute to project documentation, dashboard development, and status reporting.
• Support communication and collaboration across global time zones, including occasional evening meetings.
• Travel up to 10% annually for meetings, vendor visits, and market research as required.