Lead Programs That Bring Ideas to Life
At Wahl, innovation doesn't happen by chance-it's driven by people who can turn complex ideas into real, market-ready products. As a Program Manager, you'll lead cross-functional product development programs from concept through launch, ensuring every detail-from engineering to execution-comes together seamlessly.
You'll operate at the center of it all-balancing technical complexity, timelines, and business priorities while guiding teams toward high-quality outcomes. If you thrive on solving problems, aligning teams, and delivering results in fast-moving environments, this is where your leadership makes an impact.
What You'll Do
As a Program Manager, you'll lead product development programs end-to-end while ensuring alignment, visibility, and execution across teams. Your day-to-day will include:
- Lead end-to-end product development programs from initial concept through production launch, managing scope, schedule, budget, and quality objectives
- Facilitate cross-functional collaboration across Engineering, Industrial Design, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Finance teams
- Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, including work breakdown structures, resource allocations, critical path analysis, and milestone tracking
- Chair project review meetings and stage-gate reviews, preparing materials and facilitating decision-making at appropriate organizational levels
- Manage multiple concurrent projects, prioritizing resources and resolving conflicts to optimize portfolio performance
- Work closely with Engineering teams to understand technical requirements, constraints, and risks associated with new technologies and design approaches
- Translate technical concepts and trade-offs for non-technical stakeholders, ensuring informed business decisions
- Identify technical dependencies and integration points across mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing workstreams
- Support technical teams in developing validation plans, design verification testing, and production qualification activities
- Understand manufacturing processes (injection molding, assembly, electronics integration) well enough to identify schedule and cost risks early
- Proactively identify program risks related to technology readiness, supplier capability, regulatory compliance, and market timing
- Maintain CRAID logs (Change Requests, Risks, Actions, Issues, Decisions) and drive resolution through appropriate channels
- Escalate critical issues to leadership with recommended solutions and decision frameworks
- Manage engineering change processes during development and launch phases
- Facilitate root cause analysis for program delays or failures and implement corrective actions
- Serve as the primary point of contact for program status, communicating progress, risks, and decisions to executive leadership
- Prepare executive-level presentations, business cases, and decision communications
- Build strong relationships with global manufacturing partners and suppliers, coordinating activities across time zones
- Foster a collaborative team environment that encourages innovation, problem-solving, and accountability
- Mentor junior project coordinators and support development of project management capabilities across the organization
What You Bring
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial) or related technical discipline; MBA or advanced degree preferred
- 5-7 years of project/program management experience in consumer products, appliances, or related hardware industries
- Demonstrated track record of successfully leading product development projects from concept to production launch
Technical Knowledge
- Strong understanding of product development processes and stage-gate methodologies, include Waterfall and Agile (Scrum, KanBan, SAFe ,etc.)
- Working knowledge of mechanical design principles, injection molding, electronics integration, and manufacturing processes
- Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, CAD models, and engineering specifications
- Understanding of design validation, reliability testing, and production qualification requirements
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements for consumer electrical products (UL, ETL, CE, FCC)
Project Management Expertise
- Proficiency with project management tools (Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Jira, or similar)
- Experience with both Waterfall/Stage-Gate and Agile methodologies; ability to adapt approach based on project needs
- Strong understanding of critical path analysis, resource leveling, and schedule optimization techniques
- Experience managing projects with Asian manufacturing partners and contract manufacturers
- PMP, PMI-ACP, or equivalent certification preferred
Professional Competencies
- Exceptional organizational skills with ability to manage complexity and ambiguity
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with data-driven decision-making approach
- Outstanding communication skills-both written and verbal-for technical and executive audiences
- Proven ability to influence without direct authority and build consensus across diverse stakeholders
- Results-oriented mindset with strong business acumen and customer focus
- Comfortable with international travel (20-25%) and working across multiple time zones
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in professional or consumer grooming products, beauty appliances, or personal care devices
- Knowledge of battery technologies, BLDC motors, and cordless product development
- Exposure to Lean principles, Design Thinking, or Lean UX methodologies
- Experience leading innovation or advanced technology development programs
- Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification a plus
- Experience with US-China collaborative development models
Core Competencies
- Ensures Accountability
- Plans & aligns
- Manages complexity
- Develops talent
- Courage
