Senior Program Manager, Product Development

Culligan Retail North America is a leading provider of water filtration solutions with a strong omnichannel presence, supporting multiple product lines across direct-to-consumer, e-commerce, and retail platforms. We are committed to delivering innovative water solutions that enhance consumer's lives and contribute to sustainable living.

The Senior Program Manager, Product Development will manage a portfolio of projects across innovation, cost savings, packaging evolution, and product renovation. This role is responsible for leading project teams to deliver programs on time, in full, and within scope and budget, while ensuring technical rigor, regulatory compliance, and seamless collaboration across functions. You'll partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Sourcing, Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Finance, and Sales teams. This role plays a central role in developing the next generation of Culligan's consumer products.

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Management

• Lead end-to-end project management for new product introductions, product renovations, packaging updates, and cost optimization initiatives in line with commercial vision.

• Shepard Projects through Stage-Gate process: develop detailed project timelines, milestones, and deliverables; ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget, managed through regular project meetings and notes to monitor and track progress.

• Coordinate with cross-functional teams - Engineering, Marketing, Sourcing, Finance, Quality, and Manufacturing - to align priorities and resources.

• Anticipate risks, issues, resourcing challenges; develop mitigation and contingency plans to keep projects on track.

• Drive transparent communication of project status, key risks, and decisions to leadership.

• Drive consistency and excellence in Culligan's project management tools, templates, and methodologies.

• Identify and implement new scalable processes to improve NDP and go- to-market opportunities, including CTO (Critical to Quality).

• Technical and Product Leadership

• Partner with Engineering, Regulatory, and COE R&D teams to document product specifications, mechanical requirements, and testing protocols.

• Lead technical readiness reviews, including prototyping, validation, tooling qualification, and pilot production.

• Own and maintain core technical documentation including product specifications, BOMs, and master data sheets.

• Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing partners on tooling design, duplication, and process modifications.

• Translate field performance data, consumer feedback, and warranty trends into actionable design or process changes.

• Partner with Quality, Engineering, and Operations on post-launch product quality issues to investigate root causes and drive timely resolutions.

• Supervise and coach Mechanical Engineer, managing technical deliverables and development priorities.

Qualification & Experience:

Required:

• 8+ years of experience in program or product management within consumer products, appliances, filtration, or related technical fields.
• Demonstrated success leading highly cross-functional programs spanning from commercial to technical.
• Proven ability to translate technical complexity into clear, actionable plans for non-technical stakeholders.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable operating in an ambiguous, fast-moving environment.
• Communicates well with various cross- functional groups as well as suppliers and vendors. Able to navigate cross-functional dynamics balancing diverse inputs to drive alignment and move projects forward.
• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana, or Jira).

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field (MBA or advanced degree preferred).
• Project management certification (PMP or similar).
• Experience managing or mentoring technical contributors (engineers, designers, or technicians).
• Working knowledge of filtration systems, mechanical assemblies, and regulated product design.
• Experience working with global suppliers or contract manufacturers.

Target Salary Range: $140,000 - $150,000 salary a year with the opportunity for eligible employees to earn additional compensation pursuant to the Company's bonus plan. Exact pay will be based on factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, level, geographic location, and business and organizational needs. Full-time positions are eligible for competitive benefits, including paid time off, health, dental, vision, life, disability benefits and 401(k).

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