JOOLA is looking for a talented Senior Project Manager to join our Product team. This position will be critical in overseeing the development and lifecycle of products from conception to launch with an emphasis on the product launch and post-launch objectives. The Senior Project Manager will manage cross-functional initiatives to ensure projects are completed within budget and time constraints, while meeting quality standards and business goals. This role requires coordination and collaboration with product managers and key stakeholders across marketing, sales, supply chain, and customer service to ensure smooth execution and delivery of products.
JOOLA was first established in 1952 and built a global reputation as a pioneer in table tennis. In 2022, JOOLA expanded into the rapidly growing pickleball scene and quickly attracted the biggest names in the sport. As an official table tennis sponsor for three Summer Olympic Games and the official sponsor of pickleball's top athletes and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), the team at JOOLA combines its storied expertise with fresh perspectives to bring innovation to both sports. JOOLA produces a variety of equipment, apparel, and accessories for both table tennis and pickleball players, professional and recreational. With offices in the US, Germany, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, India, and China, JOOLA has a global presence and wide distributor network. JOOLA is based in Rockville, MD and is owned by Sport Squad, Inc.
Location: Rockville, MD (In-office)
Key Responsibilities:
- Project Planning and Coordination:
- Define project scope, goals, and deliverables using market research and in collaboration with stakeholders
- Develop and manage detailed project plans, timelines, and resource allocations for multiple products simultaneously
- Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams, including product, engineering, marketing, and sales, to ensure alignment, progress, and completion
- Stakeholder Management:
- Serve as the main point of contact for all project-related communications, including progress, risks, and any changes in scope to stakeholders and senior management
- Engage stakeholders to gather requirements, provide updates, and manage expectations
- Product Development:
- Collaborate with product managers to translate requirements into tasks and timelines
- Ensure the product vision and goals are reflected in the project roadmap and execution
- Facilitate product development lifecycle, including ideation, design, testing, and launch
- Supplier & Vendor Coordination:
- Work with suppliers and vendors to manage processes to source materials, coordinate production schedules, and maintain quality standards
- Risk Management:
- Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks and roadblocks throughout the project to prevent delays or budget overruns
- Budget and Resource Management:
- Manage project budgets, ensuring that spending aligns with approved allocations
- Coordinate with resource managers to secure personnel and tools for project success
- Track and report on actual vs. projected costs and adjust resource allocations as needed
- Team Leadership and Collaboration:
- Lead cross-functional teams, including product, marketing, sales, and SCM
- Foster collaboration and ensure effective communication between teams
- Facilitate regular project meetings and status updates
- Quality Assurance and Delivery:
- Ensure that the final product and delivery meets the necessary standards by coordinating testing and feedback loops with QA teams
- Oversee the product launch and post-launch activities, ensuring a smooth transition to production and customer support
- Continuous Improvement:
- Gather and analyze feedback post-launch to identify areas for improvement
- Implement lessons learned from each project to optimize future workflows and product delivery processes
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Project Management, Product Development, Engineering, Business, or a related field (Master's degree or PMP certification is a plus)
- 5+ years of experience in project management, product management, preferably within sports equipment or consumer product development
- Knowledge of product development processes, particularly for consumer products
- Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities
- Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to manage diverse teams
- Problem solver with strong analytical skills and a solutions-focused approach to overcoming obstacles in development timelines, budgets, and resource allocation
- Proficiency in project and product management tools (Centric, Monday.com, Microsoft Project, JIRA, etc.)
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
- On-time and on-budget delivery of projects
- Product quality and performance metrics post-launch
- Team productivity and efficiency
- Stakeholder satisfaction and project success rate
- Effective risk mitigation and issue resolution