Project Leader

Project Leader

The Project Leader is responsible for the successful execution of cross-functional home energy aftermarket parts and service initiatives. They support the launch of new aftermarket products or product lines, with an emphasis on efficient process integration, manufacturability, and operational readiness.

The Project Leader plans, leads, directs, and coordinates cross-functional teams to deliver aftermarket parts initiatives on time and within scope. Leveraging a strong understanding of current capabilities and emerging technologies, they ensure project milestones align with the Home Energy group's strategic and operational objectives.

This role is responsible for developing business case proposals for strategic initiatives, requiring an understanding of business operations, opportunity identification, alternative evaluation, and sensitivity analysis. The Project Leader prepares and presents data-driven insights and recommendations to the AMPS Business Development Manager and leadership team to enable informed decision-making.

Projects are often complex and visible across the organization, requiring strong communication skills, adaptability, and the ability to collaborate effectively across functions. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience across operations, supply chain, quality, project management, and operations-focused new product development, with a strong "big picture" mindset and a practical, problem-solving approach. The role requires the ability to lead change within transactional processes spanning supply chain, operations, marketing, finance, and sales.

This hybrid role requires three days per week in the office. The ideal candidate should reside in Milwaukee, WI, with Kohler, WI considered as an alternative location.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Actively engage with AMP team members to drive alignment with the financial, operations, & strategic plan.
• Apply project management methodologies to establish clear roles and responsibilities, ensure timeline adherence, achieve objectives, and manage risk & cost.
• Build business cases and lead cross-functional initiatives from concept through commercialization.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project documentation, including operations project plans, capital budgets, PFMEA's, control plans, process flow charts, management of change, and lead prelaunch and postlaunch activities.
• Establish performance metrics and deliver regular reporting—including executive and management updates—while leading project reviews, sharing best practices, and driving recommendations and corrective actions as needed
• Contributes to AMPS portfolio diversification efforts across rehlko Home Energy and other OE platforms, including competitive benchmarking, gap analysis, and prioritization of white-space opportunities.
• Perform data analysis, reporting, and Power BI development for the Home Energy AMPS functional team.
• Build credibility and trust across business units and functions to effectively influence project teams and stakeholders at all levels.
• Coordinate with Production, Engineering, Purchasing, Materials, Manufacturing, Sales, and Marketing to align project scope and stakeholder expectations.
• Partner with Engineering and R&D to deliver new products and enhancements, ensuring serviceability, quality, regulatory compliance, and lifecycle cost targets are met.
• Participate in new product development design reviews and provide input to improve manufacturability and assembly.
• Support Home Energy Group development programs by reviewing and proposing product changes and enhancements.
• Translate voice-of-dealer, voice-of-customer, and field insights into product requirements, pricing and packaging concepts, and launch plans, validating through pilots and data-driven learning loops.
• Lead aftermarket parts promotions from planning through execution, collaborating with marketing and sales to deploy go-to-market strategies and tools that improve attach rates and accelerate adoption while meeting timeline and budget commitments.
• Coordinate parts discontinuation activities and develop last-time-buy plans as needed.
• Lead service parts warehouse coordination initiatives with Warehouse Management to optimize purchasing, receiving, stocking, and packaging of service parts.
• Other Responsibilities: Assist Business Development Manager, AMPS, on special projects and initiatives as required.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Engineering, Marketing, Finance, or a related field; or equivalent years of directly related professional experience.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in aftermarket parts, service operations, supply chain, operations, engineering, marketing, or related functions.
• 3+ years of experience leading projects or programs, including cross-functional initiatives in a matrix environment; formal project management experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience applying Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and/or continuous improvement methodologies to drive measurable results; Six Sigma certification or training preferred.
• Experience working in new product development environments, including Agile and/or Lean NPD methodologies, is desirable.
• Strong technical and analytical skills with the ability to resolve operational and business challenges; data analysis capabilities preferred.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with business and analytical tools: SAP, MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word, MS Project (or similar), and related software. "Power BI is desirable."
• Experience engaging customers, dealers, or internal stakeholders to understand needs, translate insights, and deliver effective solutions.
• Ability to travel up to approximately 20% as required.
• Willingness to learn, adapt, and take on additional responsibilities as business needs evolve.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

The Salary range for this position is $76,050.00-$96,050.00. The specific Salary rate offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate's experience, their education, and the work location.