Job Description

Description

As the Program Manager at Comfort Research, you'll lead and actively engage in our entire product development process, from start to finish. Your responsibilities will include prioritizing projects, overseeing governance, and tracking progress to ensure clear communication on project status and scope across the organization. You'll identify opportunities to enhance our capabilities while ensuring products meet quality, cost, and timeline targets. If you have a strong understanding of project management principles, a passion for driving innovation, and a commitment to maximizing both strategic and financial impact, this is the opportunity for you!

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Demonstrate the Core Values of Comfort Research in daily execution of tasks and interactions with others.
• Own and continuously improve the end-to-end product/project development process, from ideation to manufacturing at scale. 
• Maximize the overall value of new products while ensuring excellence in delivery. 
• Engage critical functions (sales, manufacturing/operations, marketing, finance) at key points in the development process.
• Clarify product development resources and limitations to enable discussions to maximize strategic and financial impact.
• Maintain working knowledge/understanding SKU count, efficiency, and margin across product lines.
• Oversee the Go-To-Market timelines and be accountable for the Milestone Meeting cadence.
• Collaborate with design, development, engineering, and manufacturing teams to ensure products meet quality, compliance, cost, and timeline targets. 
• Conduct planning and make clear choices when faced with urgent projects.
• Ensure products are ready for release and supported throughout the entire product lifecycle. 
• Enhance current processes to clarify project status and scope to the broader organization. 
• Identify and communicate project risks, driving actions to address them effectively. 
• Provide regular updates on product direction, delivery against product strategy, goals, and release plans to senior leadership.
• Measure results and ensure products are delivered on schedule and within budget.  
• Develop and nurture organizational capabilities in project and product management.  
• Implement strategies to optimize ways of working within the organization.  
• Oversee the performance, development, and growth of direct reports through goal setting,  evaluations, and mentorship, fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration within the team. 
• Leverage employee engagement survey data to inform action plans aimed at enhancing team performance and satisfaction; analyze survey results, identify areas for improvement, and implement targeted initiatives to foster a more engaged and productive workforce, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. 
• Support the Product Development team in shared goals and initiatives. 
• HAVE FUN!
• Other duties as assigned by leadership.

OUR AWESOME BENEFITS

Here at Comfort Research, we believe that the health and well-being of our Ambassadors and their families is critical to their success in the workplace. Comfort Research offers a generous benefits program that includes:

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) plan that begins accruing upon hire for eligible Ambassadors
• Culture Awards program with opportunities to win cash prizes or extra PTO in addition to company-wide recognition
• Several paid holidays throughout the year
• Hybrid work environment
• Employee Assistance Program
• Growing family bonus & extra PTO for new parents
• Referral Bonus program
• 401(k) program with generous company match
• A variety of health insurance plans to choose from with company contributions to premiums
• Dental, vision, and other ancillary insurance coverages available
• Company-paid Short-Term Disability coverage
• Company-paid Life Insurance policy
• Free product allowances & product discounts

Requirements

•  Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in project/product management roles.
• Proven track record of successfully leading cross-functional teams in product development.
• Consumer product experience preferred. 
• Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies.
• PMP certification is a plus.
• Positivity, curiosity, and a drive for continuous improvement.
• Deep understanding of project management fundamentals.
• Experience in end-product consumer goods preferred, with a focus on durable goods with design elements.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with a high sense of accountability.
• Data-driven with strong analytical and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Ability to analyze business requirements, identify gaps, and define solutions to address business challenges.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and motivated to develop and execute new ways of working.
• Willingness to perform other duties as assigned, even if multifunctional in nature.
• Experience leading project managers and product owners
• Experience and ability to develop and motivate others.
• Ability to travel (minimal).

This position is a hybrid role, requiring 3 days per week on-site at our office located at 1719 Elizabeth Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. The remaining workdays can be completed remotely, providing a flexible balance between in-office collaboration and remote work convenience. Candidates should be within commuting distance of our Grand Rapids location.

Comfort Research is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.