Program Manager - Product Development and Innovation in Hitchin

Position Summary: Responsible for the on time, in full delivery of NPD projects from conception to market, this role will manage the various workloads and project streams to lead and deliver strategic initiatives for Water Utilities.

Principle Responsibilities:

• Lead the full lifecycle of NPD projects.
• Organise and manage cost, resource, risks, issues, quality, scope etc.
• Lead new product development through the structured NPD process to ensure that new products are delivered, meeting specification, to plan and within agreed timescales.
• Lead, assist, motivate and manage the indirect team to achieve project objectives through leadership and influence.
• Develop and implement a Project Management process and suite of tools including metrics and dashboard to facilitate excellence of execution of New Product Development projects.
• Maintain and execute action plans and drive cadence reviews to track ongoing performance and ensure project deadlines are achieved.
• Identify and manage risks to ensure delivery is on time.
• Track progress through relevant systems/applications and regularly communicate and provide project updates to ensure visibility of project performance, budgets, schedules, and risk.
• Meet financial objectives by forecasting requirements, preparing a budget, scheduling expenditures, analysing variances and initiating corrective actions.
• Operate within the limits of authority as defined in the Company Revenue Procedures as adjusted from time to time.
• Minimise exposure and risk on project.

The successful candidate will ideally be educated to degree level (or equivalent) in a technical and/or business management subject but must have experience of large-scale high exposure Product Development projects in a medium or large Engineering/Mechanical/Manufacturing business (£20m plus). Applicants will be able to demonstrate experience of problem solving of complex challenges with excellent organisational awareness and a strategic perspective. The ability to motivate and manage at all levels, excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills are essential for success in this role.

ABOUT US: Crane Building Services and Utilities (BS&U) is part of the Fluid Handling Division of Crane Co. founded in 1855, which is a global, multi-industry, New York Stock Exchange quoted company. We design, manufacture, package and market engineered flow control solutions for the HVAC and Utility sectors, with strong sales into key growth export markets.

The name Crane speaks of who we are, what we stand for and how our customers perceive us: A company with history and tradition, but also a company that is innovative, quality minded and one which acts with integrity and still holds to the resolution of its founder.

Crane Co. was founded on 4th July 1855 by Richard Teller Crane who made the following resolution: "I am resolved to conduct my business in the strictest honesty and fairness; to avoid all deception and trickery; to deal fairly with both customers and competitors; to be liberal and just towards employees; and to put my whole mind upon the business." The essence of this resolution is the business policy of Crane Co. today.

We believe that embracing inclusion and diversity is key to our success and as such we are seeking applications from candidates who will contribute their different backgrounds, cultures and experiences to our business.