Location: Hybrid 3 days/week onsite at Kohler, WI campus.
Opportunity
The Director, Program Management is a key role within the Global Program Management team and part of the Global Product Innovation (GPI) organization, responsible for bringing multiple, and often complex, products to global markets.
In alignment with the GPI and regional strategic plans, the Dir-Global Program Management is responsible for owning, driving and executing the program of NPD projects of a category or categories across targeted regions (North America, China, India, LATAM and APAC), and implementing the global product and channel marketing initiatives.
This individual should be an energetic leader who thrives in a dynamic, growing, fast-paced, team-oriented, and collaborative environment. Someone who is capable of and motivated by partnering with leadership in long-range planning and driving the executive of new product development. The Director-Global Program Management will manage a group of professional project leaders based across the different regional centers of excellence (which may be single or multi region including North America, China, and India) coordinating cross functional product development, product improvement and migration projects in line with the five-year New Product Schedule.
Project leaders and teams may be in disparate geographic locations and this leadership role requires strong relationships and communication skills to coordinate onsite and remote work with teams across the globe. Must have multiple years of experience working and living in multiple regions. Able to function in a highly matrixed organization with an ability to navigate the grey to drive results.
Specific Responsibilities
Product Strategy, New Product Schedule and product roadmaps:
- Work with global and regional marketing teams to help develop a New Product Schedule (NPS), aligned to a business strategy that helps drive growth, profitability and vitality.
- Lead the creation of a program of new projects over a rolling five-year period for a category or categories.
- Deliver a program of new projects to global markets to time, cost and quality whilst minimizing the use of company resources.
Leadership:
- Lead a team of global project managers that may be based across multiple locations around the world.
- Identify and communicate the actions needed to implement the category / categories new product development plans across functions and stakeholders.
- Manage complex assessments of business resources (including capital and development expenses, cross functional team members and 3rd party resources) and determine business priorities, working with business leaders, to deliver positive outcomes.
- Supervise and coordinate day-to-day project activities, developing a business vision, and implementing corporate values.
- Mobilize and align the organization, including driving decision making to execute against business strategy and meet deliverables on key programs.
- Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
- Identify potential issues and leads contingency planning and problem-solving by applying appropriate analytical tools and techniques
Budget management and KPI’s:
- Work with finance to create budget plans for both capital and development expenses and track and deliver activities to agreed targets
- Continuously monitor and analyze new product development performance relative to cost objectives, operating expense budgets, and development expense budgets; recommend corrective budget changes to maintain optimum operating efficiency.
- Oversee the development of Program Management methodology including key metrics and dashboards.
- Manage and report on performance within the area of responsibility, set appropriate performance objectives for direct reports and hold individuals accountable for achieving them.
- Work with category marketing and finance partners to ensure the category / categories NPS meets business financial plan and product vitality expectations.
Best Practice adoption:
- Creates a program of best practice improvements to drive a YOY reduction in time to market.
- Lead the function in building, right-sized Program Management processes and systems for efficiency and effectiveness.
- Maintain a deep understanding of competitor products and capabilities. Keen awareness of emerging industrial processes to assure Kohler maintains and enhances its reputation as the leader in design, functionality, and durability.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Responsible for taking a proactive approach to collaborate with key functional areas (Marketing, Engineering, Operations, Industrial Design, Regional Directors, etc.)
- Identify and remove organizational bottlenecks and have a strong ability to communicate across the department, as well as with all stakeholders both inside and outside the company.
- Help evaluate the feasibility of project concepts and technologies, utilizing external consultants or vendors where deemed necessary to the successful completion of each project. Establish and maintain key external relationships at executive levels.
Role Competencies
Business Insight
- Applies knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization's goals. For example, ensures that the team understands and discusses relevant industry changes. Gives strong messages about how people's efforts make a difference to the broader organization.
Persuades
- Uses compelling arguments to gain the support and commitment of others. For example, states position with conviction and persuasive rationale. Negotiates skillfully; wins concessions without the other party feeling harmed or frustrated. Achieves a good balance between defending own position and adapting to others' needs.
Strategic Mindset
- Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies. For example, is a strong big picture thinker; makes frequent, clear references to the organization's vision and strategy and the efforts required to drive them forward. Effectively integrates long-term opportunities and challenges with day-to-day activities.
Balances Stakeholders
- Anticipates and balances the needs of multiple stakeholders. For example, provides guidance so that others understand the needs of different stakeholders and can balance them appropriately. Makes sure people understand and adhere to ethical standards when working with stakeholders; models and ensures cross-cultural sensitivity.
Plans and Aligns
- Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals. For example, strengthens alignment and coordination between own work and others', providing well-sequenced activities and exact time frames. Foresees and resolves many potential bottlenecks and delays.
Cultivates Innovation
- Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful. For example, motivates others to find new and better ways to address challenges; provides support and resources for promising ideas. Encourages people to incorporate varied perspectives to strengthen the innovation process.
Interpersonal Savvy
- Relates openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people. For example, picks up on group interpersonal dynamics and finds ways to work effectively within these parameters; resolves difficult interpersonal situations within the team; works to build greater group harmony. Coaches team members on interpersonal skills.
Drives Engagement
- Creates a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives. For example, shares insight into the purpose of the work, involves others appropriately and gives them credit for their contributions. Praises the successes of others.
Optimizes Work Processes
- Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. For example, encourages and rewards continuous improvement and quality outcomes. Equips others to handle day-today tasks effectively on their own. Integrates systems to improve quality and service.
Skills
Data Collection and Analysis
- Determine and analyze trends from data that is collected to assist in compiling reports that will help in decision-making.
Action Planning
- Review and evaluate recommendations and requirements and to develop appropriate plans or deliver actions required. Typically known as a subject matter authority.
Adaptive Mindset
- Shift into and out of a mental mindset associated with assessing the facts and circumstances of the current situation and/or environment and making the appropriate/innovative adjustments to thinking and work habits to thrive in any scenario. Typically known as a subject matter authority.
Managing Change
- Demonstrate a change mindset as well as plan, execute and monitor activities during times of change whilst keeping performance levels up.
Planning and Organizing
- Plan, organize, prioritize and oversee activities to efficiently meet objectives.
Verbal Communication
- Express ideas, request actions, formulate plans, & policies by means of clear and effective verbal communications.
Commercial Acumen
- Use understanding of the business environment and objectives in developing solutions.
Effectively Presents Solutions
- Works at an advanced level to communicate and articulate potential resolutions or strategies in a clear, compelling, and tailored manner to address specific challenges or meet organizational needs. Typically works independently and provides guidance.
Skills/Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required in Engineering, Program Management, or Marketing; MBA strongly preferred.
- Minimum of 7-10 years’ experience in Program Management
- Experienced Program Manager with demonstrated success in achieving business results, driving change, and continually improving standards of performance.
- Proven leadership experience leading multi-cultural, multi-national engineering teams.
- International working experience preferred.
- Strong communication skills and presence
- Proven ability to select, develop, motivate, and lead top talent to improve operational effectiveness and achieve maximum efficiencies.
- Ability to effectively accommodate heavy international travel.
- Multiple years of experience working and living in different regions desirable.
- Able to function in a high matrixed organization with an ability to navigate the grey to drive results.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.
The salary range for this position is $158,650 - $206,750. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. In addition, this position is eligible for a performance bonus/variable incentive compensation. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision & 401k.
Why Choose Kohler?
We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.
About Us
It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com. Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
