Title:  NPI Program Manager

About Us:

We are committed to finding smart solutions that enable an intelligent and seamless world. Our success as a world-class leader in technology has evolved from humble beginnings. In 1896, the enterprising father and son team of A.J. and George A. Briggs partnered with S.A. Buffington, a Chicago lawyer, to establish Chicago Telephone Supply Company (later to become CTS).

Today, CTS is a leading designer and manufacturer of sensors, actuators, and electronic components for suppliers and original equipment manufacturers. We have over 20 locations in 12 countries and more than 3,500 employees. Our innovative sensing, connectivity, and motion solutions offer a diverse range of products across diversified end markets including transportation, medical, aerospace and defense, and industrial. We are at the forefront of supporting innovating life-changing technology, focusing on quality to keep people safe, healthy, and happy. 

Position Summary

A key role responsible for coordinating and managing New Product Introduction (NPI) projects from concept to serial production. The position ensures seamless transition from development to manufacturing by building clear project roadmaps, driving cross-functional collaboration, and maintaining strong communication with internal and external stakeholders. The goal of the role is to enhance quality, improve production efficiency, reduce risks, minimize waste, and accelerate time-to-market.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate NPI projects across the organization, ensuring alignment and effective communication between R&D, Production Engineering, Quality, Sales, and Customer.
• Take lead and drive technical interaction between CTS and customer, including escalation of technical or process-related issues. Capture and communicate requirements in an understandable manner in project charter.
• Accountable and responsible for all NPI steps and documentation from definition and design feasibility to production/market release; manages project scope and any necessary scope changes; create, maintain, and track project plans, milestones, and schedules to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery.
• Coordinates, along with engineering and finance, cost estimates for new products to provide sales and product management as a basis for pricing.
• Create and maintain material masters, BOMs and routers for new products and process flows and facilitate and ensure entry into SAP and release.
• Develop NPI standard guidelines and tools to define standard process capabilities
• Initiate prototype, Tier 3 and low volume orders and manage through the production line.
• Organize and lead day-to-day project activities including weekly NPI project reviews, meetings, and regular reporting to management and customers.
• Lead weekly review of new and existing projects with manufacturing and R&D engineering and highlight areas of support needed and key next steps.
• Procure adequate resources to achieve project objectives to delegate tasks and responsibilities in planned timeframes.
• Work with manufacturing to ensure proper documentation and work instructions are available for new products.
• Prepare and maintain documentation related to internal production inspections (IPI) and process support.
• Lead the Product Readiness Review process to ensure all quality and production requirements are met prior to serial launch.
• Work closely with the R&D and Process Engineering team and Quality to perform design reviews; act as the owner of the DR4 phase, responsible for the complete collection of data and documentation required for release of new products to manufacturing on a timely (especially for high-runner products).
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of industrialization processes and the management of Engineering Change Orders (ECOs).
• Lead and support Lean and Six Sigma projects – initially at the Green Belt level, with the ambition to progress to Black Belt certification.
• Support the Sales and Product Management teams during new product customer audits and readiness reviews.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Energetic, motivated individual with a solid background in technical engineering and management skills. 
• Understanding NPI processes and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM).
• Knowledge of production engineering, manufacturing processes, and quality systems.
• Ability to concurrently handle a variety of projects and coordinate the efforts of the R&D engineering team and cross-functional teams.
• Required excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving abilities.
• Analytical thinking and ability to work with technical data and documentation.
• Advantage: knowledge of piezoelectric technology, Lean Manufacturing principles, and Six Sigma methodology.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of engineering or equivalent experience in electronics and/or acoustics Engineering field.
• Demonstrated experience as program manager.
• Preferable experience with piezo technology and manufacturing of ceramic components.
• Experience with development of ultrasonic sensors and transducers based on PZT components.
• Demonstrated positive communication and human relation skills.
• Strong computer skills including SAP, Microsoft Project, and MS office.

Join Us

At CTS, one of the ways we recognize the value of our employees is through our comprehensive benefits program.  Highlights of our benefits program for full-time employees include:

• Health Benefits
• 401K
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Pay
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Parental Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement

Ready to shape the future? Apply now to join a world leader in sensing and connectivity.

United States EEO Statement

CTS Corporation is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer who complies with all applicable federal, state and local employment laws. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at CTS Corporation will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. It has been and shall continue to be both the official policy and the commitment of CTS Corporation to further equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of, among other characteristics, race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, status as a protected veteran or status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristics protected by applicable Federal, State or Local law.

ADA accommodation statement: If you require reasonable accommodation in the application process, call Human Resources at 630.577.8811. All other applications must be submitted online.

United States Additional Considerations

It is unlawful in all states where the Company operates, including Massachusetts, to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates applicable laws may be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. The Company does not require a lie detector test as a condition of employment nor continued employment. 

Applicants must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.

No agencies, please. We do not accept any unsolicited resumes and are not looking to engage an agency. We receive inquiries from agencies daily. Do not direct any inquiries or emails to hiring managers. It is not our standard practice to utilize agencies; we are a federal contractor and need to comply with the same process for all.

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