Director PMO - NPI/NPD

The Director PMO NPI/NPD is responsible for leading the successful transition of new products from R&D into scalable volume manufacturing. Sitting within the PMO and reporting to the VP of Production Engineering and Continuous Improvement (PECI), this role owns NPI execution, manufacturing readiness, and phase-gate milestone delivery across the product portfolio. The Director partners closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Product Management to ensure products transition seamlessly into volume manufacturing — meeting customer, quality, cost, and delivery expectations — while building the processes, tooling, and team capabilities needed to scale.

Key Responsibilities

New Product Development & Launch

• Own PLM milestone tracking, phase-gate execution, and portfolio pipeline alignment to ensure timely and effective product launches

• Drive product commercialization from R&D handoff through launch, ensuring new products meet or exceed customer, quality, cost, and delivery requirements

• Align cross-functionally on the new product pipeline and launch readiness across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Product Management

 Manufacturing Readiness & Scale-Up

• Lead the transition of products from R&D into volume manufacturing, establishing scalable and repeatable production processes

• Develop and ramp manufacturing capability and capacity for new products at the R&D site

• Establish and continuously improve the R&D production line to support prototype and pilot builds

 Automation, Tooling & Test

• Lead automation initiatives including tooling, test fixtures, and production test requirement definition

• Partner with Engineering and Operations to ensure test and tooling solutions are scalable for volume production

 Team Leadership

• Lead and develop a team of Technical Program Managers and the Engineering Manager for Prototype and Pilot Builds 

• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement within the NPD PMO function

Skill & Abilities

Ownership & Accountability                                                                                                

Ability to drive NPI program outcomes from R&D handoff through volume manufacturing launch. Holds themselves and their team to commitments, drives decisions, and escalates risks proactively — ensuring programs stay on track.

Program & Portfolio Management

Ability to manage multiple NPI programs simultaneously across the portfolio, maintaining phase-gate discipline, milestone ownership, and pipeline visibility from commercialization through volume launch.

Commercialization & NPI Execution

Ability to take products through the commercialization phase — from R&D handoff to volume manufacturing — on time and within cost, quality, and delivery targets.

Manufacturing & Production Readiness

Deep understanding of manufacturing processes, scale-up requirements, tooling, automation, and test development — with the ability to translate R&D outputs into production-ready solutions.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Influence

Ability to align and drive execution across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Product Management without direct authority over all stakeholders — critical in a PMO structure.

Strategic Thinking & Prioritization

Ability to manage competing program priorities at the portfolio level, make sound trade-off decisions, and keep initiatives aligned to business objectives.

Team Development 

Ability to lead, develop and effectively scale a team to ensure the right capabilities and resourcing are in place at the right time.

Stakeholder Communication & Reporting

Ability to synthesize program status, risks, and decisions into clear, concise communication for senior leadership and the c-suite.

Travel

Ability to travel 10-20%

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field

• 15+ years of program management experience in a manufacturing or engineering environment, with a focus on new product introduction (NPI), product transitions, or manufacturing scale-up

• 5+ years of team leadership/management role within a PMO, R&D, or Operations function

• Proven experience leading cross-functional initiatives across R&D, Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production readiness, and product commercialization

• Familiarity with PLM systems and phase-gate product development processes

• PMP, Six Sigma, or equivalent certification

 Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field; MBA a plus

• Experience with automation systems, production tooling, and test fixture development

• Deep knowledge of phase-gate execution, PLM milestone management, and portfolio pipeline alignment

• Demonstrated success scaling products from prototype/pilot builds to volume manufacturing

• Experience building and developing technical teams in an R&D or pilot production environment

What We Offer

• Generous Paid Time Off – Enjoy 3 weeks of PTO annually, with accrual starting on day one. 
• Comprehensive Health Coverage – United Healthcare medical plans available for both individuals and families, starting on the first day of hire in addition to Dental, Vision and Disability Insurance. 
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) – Purchase company stock at a 15% discount through convenient payroll deductions. 
• 401(k) with Company Match – Receive a 50% match on contributions up to 8%, with immediate vesting so you fully own every dollar right away. 
• Paid Holidays – 9 company holidays, plus a floating holiday. 
• Tuition Reimbursement – Invest in your future with up to $7,500 per year for approved professional development. 

Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional job-related factors, including knowledge, skills, experience, tenure, and relevant education or training. The pay scale is subject to change depending on business needs. Your recruiter can share more about the specific range for your location during the hiring process. 

Ichor is committed to supporting your personal well-being and professional development. Our benefits are designed to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, provide peace of mind, and prepare for your future. We offer medical, dental, and vision plans across all locations, allowing team members to select the coverage that best meets their healthcare needs and budget. Our benefits also include a paid time-off program and paid holidays to support your time away from work. A summary of our Benefits will be provided during the interview process.

Ichor Systems Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer 

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