Manager, Product Lifecycle Operations

Accountabilities

• • Own, govern, and continuously improve the Stage Gate product development process across all 21 Own Brand businesses.

  • Establish consistent standards for stages, workflows, roles, responsibilities, approvals, documentation, and reporting while accommodating legitimate business requirements.

  • Partner with brands that are not yet using the existing workflow platform to transition their product development activities into a common operating environment.

  • Design practical workflows with individual brands while maintaining enterprise-level governance, process consistency, and visibility.

  • Lead training, user acceptance, adoption, and reinforcement activities to support successful implementation and sustained adherence to Stage Gate processes.

  • Maintain process documentation, templates, user guidance, and governance standards.

  • Own the end-to-end product development and launch process from concept through launch and lifecycle transition.

  • Define process steps, ownership, required inputs, data points, dependencies, handoffs, and timing expectations across participating functions.

  • Identify and eliminate bottlenecks, duplicated activities, communication gaps, and inconsistent practices that can affect product launch readiness and timing.

  • Improve visibility into project status, milestones, open requirements, risks, dependencies, and next steps.

  • Lead the end-to-end implementation, launch, adoption, and ongoing business ownership of a new PLM system.

  • Act as the primary business partner to the PLM vendor, IT teams, implementation partners, and project management resources.

  • Define future-state processes, workflows, governance structures, user roles, data requirements, ownership models, business rules, integrations, and system requirements.

  • Gather and align requirements across Product Development, Global Sourcing, Supply Chain, Product Data, Product Assurance, International Logistics, Marketing, Finance, Sales Operations, IT, and other stakeholders.

  • Coordinate process validation, data preparation, user acceptance testing, training, communications, deployment, and business readiness.

  • After implementation, own platform governance, adoption, business support, feedback prioritization, change requests, and continuous enhancements.

  • Partner with IT and external vendors on administration, integrations, releases, support, and ongoing platform improvements.

  • Develop role-based training, job aids, communications, and practical guidance for Stage Gate, workflow, PLM, and product launch processes.

  • Facilitate change management and influence stakeholders across brands, functions, and organizational levels to drive adoption, timely decisions, and process adherence.

  • Coach teams through new processes and ways of working while maintaining appropriate enterprise standards.

  Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Product Management, Information Systems, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant professional experience.

  • Experience leading cross-functional process improvement, transformation, governance, or enterprise technology implementation initiatives within a matrixed organization.

  • Experience with Stage Gate, product development, new product introduction, sourcing, supply chain, operational excellence, product launch, or related processes.

  • Experience leading or serving as a business owner for a PLM, workflow, ERP, PIM, MDM, or similar enterprise technology implementation is preferred.

  • Strong ability to define end-to-end processes, workflows, business requirements, data points, governance models, roles, handoffs, and system requirements.

  • Demonstrated project and program leadership capabilities, including management of priorities, dependencies, risks, decisions, issues, timelines, and stakeholder expectations.

  • Strong change leadership, facilitation, training, user acceptance, and stakeholder engagement skills.

  • Ability to influence across multiple businesses, brands, functions, and organizational levels without relying on direct authority.

  • Excellent problem-solving and process improvement capabilities, with a practical approach to identifying inefficiencies and developing sustainable solutions.

  • Strong written, verbal, presentation, and executive communication skills.

  • Ability to collaborate effectively with IT teams, third-party software vendors, implementation partners, and project management organizations.

  • Comfortable working in a complex, cross-functional environment with multiple priorities and stakeholders.

  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to translate strategic objectives into clear processes, requirements, and actionable plans.

  Benefits

  • Remote or hybrid work: Remote work is available, with hybrid arrangements possible for individuals located near designated headquarters locations, subject to applicable policy.

  • Compensation: Estimated monthly salary range of $6,900.30–$11,275.00, with actual pay depending on location, qualifications, and prior experience.

  • Incentive compensation: Eligibility for a bonus or incentive plan.

  • Health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits.

  • Financial security: 401(k) plan with company match and life insurance.

  • Time off: Paid time off and paid parental leave.

  • Well-being: Mental health coverage and programs supporting physical and financial well-being.

  • Family support: Gender-affirming and family-building benefits.

  • Additional perks: Associate discounts, community involvement opportunities, and other inclusive benefits designed to accommodate diverse needs and circumstances.

  • Benefit eligibility and offerings may vary based on location and individual circumstances.