Job Description

Entity: WIN
Job Title: Project Manager – NPI
Grade: WIN D1 / WIPRO WATER C1
Business Unit: Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (Hydraulics)
Department: New Product Introduction (NPI)
Work Location: Peenya, Bengaluru

Role Description

The Project Manager – NPI is responsible for the end-to-end execution of New Product Introduction projects from project order through Start of Production (SOP).

The role ensures successful execution of projects within defined quality, cost, delivery, and customer requirements through effective project planning, cross-functional coordination, risk management, cost optimization, and stakeholder engagement.

The incumbent will work closely with Engineering, Sourcing, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Suppliers, and Customers to ensure timely achievement of project milestones and successful transition to mass production.

Qualification

• BE / B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering / Production Engineering / Industrial Engineering or related engineering discipline.

Desired Experience

• 10+ years of relevant experience in Project Management, New Product Development, NPI, or related functions within manufacturing industries.
• Experience in New Product Introduction (NPI) is preferred.
• Experience in Hydraulics, Automotive, Heavy Engineering, Off-Highway Equipment, or Industrial Products will be an added advantage.

Eligibility Criteria for Internal Applicants

• Minimum experience in the current role: 2 years
• Minimum performance criteria (HVC/MR for last 2 years): HVC
• Eligible Grades: WIN E / WIPRO WATER B3

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Planning & Kick-Off

• Conduct project kick-off meetings with cross-functional teams.
• Define detailed project plans covering scope, milestones, deliverables, timelines, and responsibilities.
• Establish an effective project governance mechanism.
• Conduct stage-gate reviews as per the defined NPI process.
• Ensure alignment between customer requirements, project objectives, and cross-functional deliverables.

2. Project Execution & Control

• Lead end-to-end project execution from project order through SOP.
• Monitor project progress against timeline, cost, quality, and delivery commitments.
• Ensure adherence to critical milestones and customer timelines.
• Track project deliverables across Engineering, Sourcing, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and other stakeholders.
• Identify schedule or cost deviations and drive recovery and corrective action plans.
• Ensure smooth transition from development to mass production.

3. Risk & Change Management

• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate project risks.
• Monitor critical-path activities and resolve project bottlenecks.
• Maintain project risk registers and track mitigation actions.
• Manage engineering changes and scope modifications through a structured change-management process.
• Ensure timely implementation of approved changes across relevant functions.
• Minimize the impact of engineering changes on project timelines, quality, and cost.

4. Cost & Margin Management

• Monitor standard work margins throughout the project lifecycle.
• Drive product cost optimization in coordination with Engineering, Sourcing, and Manufacturing teams.
• Ensure achievement of target cost before SOP.
• Identify potential project cost overruns and initiate corrective measures.
• Drive value engineering and cost-improvement initiatives.
• Ensure project decisions appropriately balance cost, quality, and delivery requirements.

5. Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary interface for customer communication during project execution.
• Conduct regular internal and external project review meetings.
• Communicate project progress, milestones, risks, issues, and recovery plans to customers and management.
• Coordinate effectively with Engineering, Sourcing, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Suppliers, and other stakeholders.
• Proactively manage customer expectations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Drive customer satisfaction through effective communication and successful project delivery.

Key Skills Required

NPI & Project Management

• New Product Introduction (NPI)
• End-to-End Project Management
• Project Planning & Scheduling
• Stage-Gate Project Management
• Project Execution & Monitoring
• Start of Production (SOP) Management
• Critical Path Management
• Risk Management
• Engineering Change Management
• Cross-Functional Project Management

Commercial & Cost Management

• Project Cost Management
• Product Cost Optimization
• Margin Management
• Cost Tracking & Control
• Value Engineering
• Commercial and Financial Awareness

Project Management Tools

• MS Project or equivalent project management tools
• SAP / SAP PS
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Project tracking and reporting tools

Key Competencies

• Strong project planning and scheduling capability
• Cross-functional leadership and coordination
• Risk identification and problem-solving
• Cost and margin management
• Customer and stakeholder management
• Decision-making under pressure
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Negotiation and influencing skills
• Ability to drive accountability across cross-functional teams
• Execution excellence and results orientation
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and critical project timelines

Preferred Candidate Profile

• Proven experience managing product development/manufacturing projects from project order through SOP and mass production.
• Strong experience working with multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams.
• Experience in manufacturing, hydraulics, automotive, heavy engineering, off-highway equipment, or industrial products.
• Exposure to NPI and new product development processes.
• Strong customer-facing project management experience.
• Experience in managing project timelines, costs, risks, margins, and engineering changes.
• Demonstrated ability to implement recovery plans for projects behind schedule or exceeding target costs.
• Working knowledge of MS Project, SAP PS, or equivalent project management systems.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-time achievement of project milestones
• On-time SOP achievement
• Project cost adherence
• Target margin achievement
• Customer timeline adherence
• Project risk closure effectiveness
• Engineering change closure effectiveness
• Recovery plan effectiveness
• Customer satisfaction
• Successful transition to mass production

Reporting to

Head / Manager – NPI

Work Location

Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (Hydraulics), Peenya, Bengaluru

Position Grade

WIN D1 / WIPRO WATER C1

Internal Grade Eligibility

WIN E / WIPRO WATER B3

Recruiter

v.srinivasa@wipro.com