Kohler Co. · 3 hours ago
NPD Project Leader, Ann Sacks
Portland, OR
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
$101K/yr - $156K/yr
4+ years expKohler Co. is a well-established company known for its craftsmanship and innovation in the tile and stone industry. The NPD Project Leader will manage the New Product Development process, oversee product launches, and lead end-of-life product management initiatives to align with business goals and maximize profitability.
Consumer Goods
No H1B
Hiring Manager
Katie Zimmer
Responsibilities
Manage cross functional teams through the new product development process to launch. Drive each launch to defined metrics
Develop and manage the launch budget with the cross functional team, including development expense, tooling expense, sample and display expense and marketing expense. Guide the team to keep costs within budget
Develop and monitor project schedules and adhere to the launch process. Manage deliverables and tasks within each phase of launch. Anticipates and manages tasks/risks within each launch
Communicate to the Leadership Team on launch status, execution plans, and process. Align on launch objectives and partner in removing obstacles for launch completion
Proactively identify and plan for risk; communicating risk clearly, early and appropriately to the Leadership Team
Create supplier contracts and/or exclusivity agreements for new products and facilitate contract negotiations, ensuring Ann Sacks best interest when launching all new products or when initiating partnerships with new suppliers/vendors
Lead strategic planning and execution of product end-of-life (EOL) initiatives, ensuring alignment with business goals and customer impact mitigation
Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Managers, Planners, Sales Leadership, and the Marketing team to develop and implement EOL strategies, including inventory sell-through, markdowns, and product transitions
Analyze product performance and lifecycle data to identify optimal timing for EOL decisions and recommend actions to maximize profitability and minimize obsolescence
Manage communication plans for internal stakeholders and external partners regarding EOL timelines, product replacements, and support discontinuation
Actively seek and foster relationships with third-party retailers to sell down excess and obsolete materials
Oversee EOL documentation and compliance, ensuring accurate product status updates across systems and channels
Drive continuous improvement in lifecycle management processes, leveraging insights from past EOL executions to refine future strategies
Sees the big picture to drive end results
Acts as a champion in carrying out and communicating new product launch strategies and goals throughout the business
Works closely with Product Development, Product Managers, and the Marketing team to develop holistic product development and launch plans
Helps to deliver launches that are in full and on time through appropriate action; proposing alternative options when necessary that are rooted in facts, with clearly articulated constraints and predicted consequences
Lead strategic planning and execution of product end-of-life (EOL) initiatives, ensuring alignment with business goals and customer impact mitigation
Qualification
Required
Minimum of 4 years' experience in product management, NPD, or related experience
Demonstrated success in managing cross-functional projects and new product launches
Strong project management skills required
Strong communication and interpersonal skills required
Preferred
A bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field is strongly preferred, but not required
Background in product strategy, with preference given to retail / consumer goods, fashion, design, interiors etc. is strongly preferred
Budget management experience preferred
PMP certification preferred
Benefits
Day 1 benefits
Performance bonus/variable incentive compensation
Competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing
Access to career growth and development opportunities
A diverse and inclusive workplace
A strong culture of innovation
Company
Kohler Co.
We’re a community of creators. Status quo busters. Difference makers.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
David Kohler
Chair & Chief Executive Officer
.Davor Grgic
Consultant — Retired CIO & VP - Sustainability
Recent News
2025-08-07
Google Patent
2025-05-07
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