Project Manager- Software
Niles, IL

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Project Management Team!

Leads and supervises the activities of Project Teams following the Company's Product Development Process. With direction the Project Manager is responsible and accountable for the successful completion of Projects within committed boundaries and to organizational standards.

Representative Duties:

* Leads product development projects through the development process from initiation and planning to launch. Diverse projects may include complexities related to: 1) technical engineering requirements 2) co-development OEM/ODM partnerships, 3) multiple SKU numbers associated with the product, and/or 4) the management of multiple projects.


* Forms and co-locates cross functional Teams focused on delivering new or upgrading existing products by utilizing standard project management tools and templates as outlined by the Program Management
* Department and by negotiating with functional departments to obtain necessary resources.


* Provides leadership to project team members and Department Managers through motivation, influence, and coaching.


* Leads the team in the development of Project Team Product Proposals by negotiating scope of work and details Project Charter together with Team and Project Stakeholders.


* Represents project teams by providing status to the Program Department for updates to the Executive Office, project governance bodies and other stakeholders on a regular basis and throughout the project.
* Influences changes to project scope, timeline or budgets as necessary. Communicates decisions to Team regarding direction to maximize buy-in and progress toward goals.


* Coordinates and manages project manpower estimates, budget, risk, and task duration to determine overall project cost, ensures projects adhere to plans and approve expenditures as necessary. Maintains and analyzes project metrics used to identify project risks; escalates and participates in the development of contingency planning to mitigate risks.


* Coordinate requirements and maintains relationships with external vendors and suppliers in collaboration with Supply Chain Department; serves as internal project liaison with outside design firms needed to achieve project goals.


* Manages technical problem solving efforts by guiding decision-making, exploring alternatives, soliciting opinion, pursuing root cause, and coordinating experiments while maintaining project/product cost, product quality and on-time delivery.


* Leverages knowledge of organizational roles and responsibilities to guide project team and activities by effectively addressing competing interests or opinions.

Serves as liaison between technical and non-technical departments in order to ensure that all targets and requirements are met, reporting progress to project governance bodies.


* Reviews all project activities at the end of a project, compiles project lessons learned, assesses project adherence to targets, and suggests improvements for the revision of the Blue Ribbon Process.


* Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

* Bachelor's degree in related field, Engineering preferred. Graduate coursework is desirable.

PMI PMP certification or PDMA NPDP certification desired.


* Minimum of 8 years of experience in new product implementation to include broad knowledge in some or all of the following disciplines: Analog and Digital Audio Circuitry, Signal Processing, User Interface, Microphones, Earphones/Headphones, Mechanical Design, Wireless / RF Systems, Packaging, Software Engineering (Graphical, Networking, Embedded).


* Minimum of 4 years experience leading teams in a direct report or dotted/matrix environment.


* Ability to work on issues where the analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth knowledge of organizational objectives, such as

Design of Experiments, FMEA, or concurrent engineering and understanding of Company culture.


* Experience with products requiring domestic and international agency approvals (FCC, ETSI, CE, UL, TUV, etc.)


* Ability to work on issues where the analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth knowledge of organizational objectives, such as

Design of Experiments, FMEA, or concurrent engineering and understanding of company culture.


* Knowledge of Project Management concepts such as Risk Management methods, agile software development methods (XP, Agile, Scrum), manufacturing process improvements (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen), and alternative project management techniques (Critical Chain).


* Familiarity with basic audio concepts or experience in an audio or sound reinforcement discipline


* Demonstrated abilities with e-tools including project scheduling software, ERP or MRP software, PLM or PDM software, etc.


* Performance management skills, including the ability to create and execute change, demonstrated leadership, coaching and team building abilities.


* Able to exhibit leadership in situations without formal authority.


* Leadership and participation in engineering design review processes.


* Able to establish and assure adherence to budgets, schedules, work plans, business activities and provide guidance to project team.


* Desire to continuously maintain working knowledge of key disciplines (e.g., electrical, mechanical, acoustical, and software engineering; marketing; operations and quality) that allow for effective leaderships of cross functional teams.


* Uses good judgment in selecting practical, effective, and timely solutions. Able to interact with senior management or executive levels on matters concerning functional areas, divisions, and/or customers.


* Demonstrates the ability to change the thinking of, or gain acceptance from others, without damaging the relationship.