NPD Project Manager

Description

From creating our products to keeping our facilities operating smoothly, it takes a lot to keep Vortex® running. It takes people who can solve problems creatively. It takes hard work and a dedication to the team. It takes a lot because Vortex® is a different kind of employer. Here, we reward your devotion to putting others first by making sure you get the benefits and support you need to excel in your work and in your life. We return your commitment by committing ourselves to helping you advance in your career while getting the time with your friends and family you deserve.

Vortex Optics is looking for a talented individual to join our New Product Development (NPD) team. As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for executing product planning for internally manufactured as well as sourced finished goods. This will include collaborating with cross functional teams in ideating new product innovation, management of the product throughout its lifecycle, gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements, defining the product vision, and working closely with the Manufacturing and Marketing teams and our suppliers to deliver winning products. You will also be responsible for working with others to ensure revenue and customer satisfaction goals are met, and that the product efforts support the company's overall strategy and goals, along with communicating the initiatives and progress to Senior Leadership. This position will focus on a range of internally manufactured as well as sourced products across the entire Vortex sports optics product line.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Bring product roadmaps to life-driving execution to achieve key strategic goals.
• Own and maintain NPD tracking and documentation for multiple active projects, keeping everything organized and moving forward.
• Ensure all tasks required to bring new products to market are completed with a primary focus on quality, followed by on-time execution through cross-functional collaboration.
• Stay plugged into the market by working with Marketing to understand customer insights, trends, and what’s next.
• Bring the right people together across Consumer Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing, to move new products forward.
• Turn market insights and customer feedback into clear, actionable product requirements.
• Lead and engage focus groups to help shape and refine new product concepts.
• Work closely with Industrial Design, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams to deliver high-quality results on time.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to evaluate, select, and develop manufacturing partners aligned with product requirements and program objectives.
• Build strong working relationships with vendors and factory partners, keeping communication clear and consistent throughout development.
• Jump in with Engineering teams to help solve technical challenges and move designs forward when needed.
• Get hands-on with prototype testing to validate performance, identify gaps, and drive improvements toward meeting product requirements.
• Take ownership of improving NPD and testing SOPs by keeping them practical, effective, and continuously evolving.
• Help build and improve processes that streamline NPD workflows and ensure teams stay on track and aligned.
• Ensure final product specifications are clear, complete, and effectively shared across teams and partners.
• Work closely with Sales and Supply Chain to build and refine demand plans for new products.
• Support product-level financials, helping teams stay aligned with cost and profitability targets.
• Take an active role in analyzing product categories, competitive offerings, and customer trends to identify opportunities, solve problems, and drive smarter product decisions.
• Get out in the field by traveling to vendors, partners, and factories (domestic and international) to support development and build relationships.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, optical or electrical engineering.
• Minimum 5 years of Engineering experience.
• Minimum 2 years Project Management experience with demonstrable success managing multiple simultaneous projects for NPD.
• Experience in new product innovation methods, business case analysis, product definition & tradeoffs, design verification and manufacturing validation, new product introduction approaches and product lifecycle management.
• Strong knowledge of product development systems and tools.
• Ability to analyze complex data, situations and develop range of solutions.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks for 3D modeling, design review, and basic part evaluation.
• Excellent written and presentation skills.
• Experience in low volume manufacturing.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from Project Management Institute (PMI) or equivalent.
• Master's degree in technical or business field.
• Have documented experience obtaining utility and design patents.
• 3 years engineering of consumer products.

When you join Team Vortex, you’ll enjoy:

• Great health, dental and vision insurance
• Paid time off (PTO) and holidays
• 401(k), life insurance and short- and long-term disability
• Employee Ownership Opportunities
• Various onsite amenities including a fitness center, a nature preserve with walking trails and dog friendly work areas
• Neighboring daycare facility
• Casual and flexible work environment
• Employee discounts on industry leading products

What’s it like to join Team Vortex?

From the production floor to the repair room, from consumer sales to new product development, we’re a growing team of makers and doers, working together to give our customers an experience they’ll never forget. Our employees thrive in situations that require demonstrating our core values:

• About You
• Customer is King
• Willingness to Shovel Snow
• Be the Buffalo

*Must already be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer.

*This is a full-time, onsite position based in Barneveld, WI with relocation assistance available.

*A cover letter is required when submitting your application.