New Product Development Project Manager

Yellowstone Local is proud to represent MRCOOL, an industry leader in residential and light commercial HVAC innovation.

If you know how to turn ambitious product ideas into successful launches while keeping technical teams, business partners, and timelines moving in the same direction, this role gives you the opportunity to do exactly that.

What's in it for You?

• $100,000 to $115,000 per year. Performance incentives are available.

• Full time, exempt position.

• Fully onsite position in Hickory, Kentucky. This role is not eligible for a hybrid schedule.

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.

• 401(k) with company match.

• Paid time off and company holidays.

• Professional development and career advancement opportunities.

• Opportunity to join one of the fastest growing brands in the residential HVAC industry.

Why You'll Love It Here

• Take ownership of new product development projects that move from early concept through commercial launch.

• Help bring innovative residential HVAC products to market, including DIY mini splits, heat pumps, and next generation refrigerant technologies.

• Work directly with engineering, supply chain, compliance, marketing, and executive leadership.

• Make a visible impact on product innovation and company growth within a fast paced, entrepreneurial organization.

• Work within a structured New Product Introduction, NPI, process while helping identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

• Join a values driven organization focused on operational excellence, accountability, and ongoing improvement.

Your New Role

• Lead New Product Introduction, NPI, projects from initial concept through commercial launch across HVAC equipment, accessories, and emerging product categories.

• Build and maintain comprehensive project schedules, milestones, project plans, and risk registers.

• Keep engineering, sourcing, procurement, quality, regulatory, sales, and marketing teams aligned throughout stage gate reviews.

• Coordinate engineering change orders, ECOs, while maintaining accurate and accessible project documentation.

• Act as the primary liaison with overseas manufacturing partners, primarily in China, for tooling, prototypes, sample approvals, and production schedules.

• Work with procurement and distribution teams to coordinate sourcing schedules, inventory planning, and launch timelines.

• Track prototypes and pre production samples throughout testing and validation.

• Coordinate regulatory compliance and product certification activities involving UL and ETL certifications, DOE efficiency requirements, EPA regulations, and refrigerant transition initiatives.

• Stay current on changing compliance requirements involving refrigerant regulations, tariffs, HTS classifications, and trade related developments.

• Assist with documentation required for regulatory filings and trade compliance.

• Coordinate with sales and marketing teams on launch readiness, including packaging, product documentation, training materials, and channel specific requirements.

• Partner with Customer Service and Technical Support teams to create installation, warranty, and troubleshooting resources.

• Coordinate with legal partners on intellectual property, patent, and licensing matters connected to product development.

• Prepare and present project updates to R and D leadership and executive management, including timelines, budgets, risks, and launch readiness.

• Maintain clear project visibility using Asana, Monday.com, or similar project management software.

• Document lessons learned and help strengthen product development processes through continuous improvement.

Hiring Expectations: Apply today, complete a quick phone screening, and get ready for an interview with our team to discuss your goals and experience.

• Minimum of 5 years of project management experience within product development, engineering, or manufacturing.

• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross functional projects from concept through commercial launch.

• Strong understanding of project management methodologies, including PMP, Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid approaches.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for working effectively with both technical and non technical teams.

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

• Experience with project management platforms such as Asana, Monday.com, or similar software.

• Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously at different development stages while keeping timelines and deliverables on track.

• Demonstrated leadership, accountability, problem solving, and project ownership.

• Ability to work onsite in Hickory, Kentucky. Relocation assistance may be considered for an exceptional candidate based on experience.

• Candidates with experience in adjacent manufacturing, consumer product, or industrial equipment industries may be considered when they have strong New Product Introduction, NPI, ownership experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in HVAC, home appliances, consumer electronics, or another hardware manufacturing industry.

• Experience coordinating with overseas manufacturing partners, preferably in China or Southeast Asia.

• Familiarity with DOE efficiency standards, UL and ETL certification processes, HVAC regulations, or refrigerant compliance, including the AIM Act and A2L refrigerants.

• Experience with import and export documentation, HTS classifications, or U.S. Customs compliance.

• PMP certification or an equivalent project management credential.

• Experience working within a high growth, entrepreneurial organization.

MRCOOL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. #green