Development Project Manager

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POSITION SUMMARY:

The Development Project Manager is responsible for leading development projects from concept through prototype execution and readiness for production. This role serves as a strategic partner to Sales, Design, Engineering, Estimating, Prototype and Execution, ensuring development decisions balance design intent, manufacturability, cost, timeline, and customer expectations.

The Development Project Manager is empowered to lead development decisions, challenge timelines and escalate technical risk throughout the development lifecycle. The ideal candidate brings strong judgment, accountability, and the ability to guide projects through ambiguity and change.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Serve as the development OWNER for assigned projects, leading cross-functional execution from concept through prototype completion and execution handoff.
- Utilize project management software as a tool to drive communication through the business and support others with appropriate dashboards that elevate communication.
- Act as the primary technical liaison between Sales and development teams, ensuring clarity of scope, requirements, and expectations.
- Partner directly with Sales and customers to translate business needs into clear, actionable development requirements to help shape the best solution for the customer.
- Develop, manage, and adjust timelines, identifying risks, dependencies, and tradeoffs to maintain schedule and quality.
- Collaborate with Estimating to ensure accurate pricing, scope alignment, and margin-conscious development decisions.
- Lead prototype execution in partnership with internal Prototype teams and external manufacturing partners, ensuring timely delivery, install, and quality outcomes.
- Drive post-prototype reviews, documenting learnings, engineering changes, recommending improvements, and supporting scalability into production.
- Develop flexible relationships with Sales that support specific customer requirements within the business.
- Anticipate and resolve development risks proactively, escalating appropriately while maintaining ownership and momentum.
- Facilitate handoffs to the execution team as projects transition out of development and into mass production. Encourage execution involvement and pivotal milestones to assist in this transition.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.

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SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

This position has no direct reports.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

- Proven experience in project management within product development or manufacturing environments.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
- Familiarity with project/task management systems.
- Ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting.
- Ability to lead meetings, manage accountability, and foster collaboration across departments.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent presentation skills - capable of presenting solutions in a clear, logical manner
- Demonstrated organizational, interpersonal, collaborative, and relationship-building skills
- High attention to detail, with an eye for quality and craftsmanship.
- Hands-on experience with design and engineering collaboration is a plus.

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REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Design, Project Management, or related field;
- 3+ years of experience managing development focused custom design projects in a manufacturing, retail fixture, or custom fabrication environment.
- Strong background in manufacturing methods, materials, and processes, including in wood, metal, and plastics.