Program Manager- Montana

The Gibson Montana Program Manager (PM) reports directly to the VP of Quality and dotted-line to the Montana Facility Director.   This position will be responsible for quarterbacking, coordinating and managing the new product introduction process. The candidate will be responsible for working with multiple functions to calendarize the end-to-end industrialization process of new products - prototyping, piloting and production scheduling to deliver each step of the process within the identified business goals (time, cost and quality).  This is a key role delivering growth in support of the go-to-market process and retail introduction dates across artist signature runs and collections, and Gibson Montana collections and models. The candidate will work in a cross-functional matrix together with the Product Development and Production teams.

Scope

All brands produced at Gibson Montana (Gibson, Epiphone)

Essential Functions

Main duties

• New product introduction process management 
• Develops calendarized deliverables for prototyping, piloting, and production scheduling
• Manages each process within the Gibson Montana craftory in service to the go-to-marketing timing set by the product development, production and marketing teams 
• Develops, tracks and reports KPI of the NPI process to key stakeholders
• Owns forecasting calendarized deliverables 
• Establish and maintain a meeting cadence in advance of product launch, after pilot completion, and upon entry into production

Other duties

• Analyzes the success/failures of the NPI process and establishes continues improvement loops
• Collaborates with other craftories and Supply Chain as necessary to coordinate global launch across our Brands

Required Skills/Abilities

Skills and Competencies

• Highly analytical, organized and detail-oriented
• Proven communication and negotiation skills
• Project management abilities to effectively quarterback and coordinate processes under tight timelines in a high-growth environment
• Effective analytical skills to evaluate internal challenges to calendarized deliverables, and create appropriate improvements
• Business-minded, results focused and metrics driven
• Creative problem solver that uses structured problem-solving methods
• Able to see the bigger picture and sell the vision
• Flexibility to adapt quickly to changing circumstances.   Able to proactively question and challenge current state to identify solutions in a timely manner
• Musically inclined, collaborative, and company first

Education and Experience

• BS degree preferred or equivalent with Engineering degree preferred
• 3-5 years of Leadership\Managerial experience in a manufacturing environment
• Prior experience building a Program Management system preferred
• PMP or PgMP preferred but not required

Essential Knowledge

• Experience with MS Suite of standard applications
• MS Project or equivalent application required
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects to completion
• Excellent teambuilder and adept at conflict resolution

Work Environment

Internal:

• Craftory locations
• Warehouses

External:

• Sales office locations
• Supplier manufacturing locations

Travel Requirements

• Limited travel (<10%)