Staff Development Program Manager

The Opportunity:

The Hot Wheels Team is seeking a Staff Development Program Manager to join our product development team in El Segundo, CA. You will help manage projects from concept through production, in collaboration with a global, cross-functional team consisting of representatives from Design, Engineering, Marketing, Manufacturing and others throughout the product design and development lifecycle.

What Your Impact Will Be:

• Providing subject matter expertise on complex projects involving multiple technologies and contribution to complex design decisions
• Provide technical risk assessments related to new and key product implementation. Take a lead role in identification, assessment, validation of new technologies
• Facilitating during highly technical meetings using analysis techniques such as root cause analysis, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis and monitoring resolution outcomes
• Develop, maintain and drive on-time schedule execution of global products while maintaining cost and schedule targets
• Working closely with overseas development, tooling, and manufacturing to ensure successful project completion
• Troubleshoot preproduction models and pilot production samples and make suggestions to improve performance, fix defects and improve mechanisms to guarantee end-consumer satisfaction
• Act as liaison between our US and overseas locations throughout the product life cycle
• Effectively communicate strategies, challenges and generate recommendations to present to senior leadership and key stakeholders
• Working in a Team environment with Design, Packaging, Product Integrity, Marketing, Planning, Product Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Lab, manufacturing plants, and offshore development sources
• Developing product cost estimates and providing cost /financial analyses for multiple types of products and scenarios
• Analyzing product design for maximum utilization of materials, methods and processes to meet marketing strategies, cost objectives and product quality specifications while working within the constraints of selling price and business margins
• Lead the development of new products to achieve toy functionality goals while supporting highly complex engineering activities involving multiple disciplines or technologies

Requirements

What We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or similar technical field (Engineering, Physics, etc.)

• 10+ years of relevant project management experience (consumer goods experience a plus)

• Proficient in project management methodologies and tools (PMP, CAPM or other Project management certification a plus)

• Die Cast toy development/manufacturing experience a plus

• Specialty manufacturing processes in consumer goods industry a plus

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, making data backed decisions, cost analysis and possessing excellent problem- solving skills

• Proficient leading cross-functional teams and presenting to senior management

• Advanced experience using PM tools: Microsoft Office suite, Agile PLM, Workfront, Windchill, Tableau and Cognos Analytics

• Expertise of managing complex toys including production planning, manufacturing processes, tooling, materials and molding requirements

• Advanced knowledge of plastics and metal production processes and assembly techniques for products built with both

• Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.

The annual base salary range for this position is between $133,600 and $167,000.
**This range is indicative of projected hiring range, however annual base salary will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience.