Whisker is the maker of Litter-Robot, Feeder-Robot, and Litterbox.com. At Whisker, we believe pet parenthood can always get better.

As leading innovators in pet tech and refined pet accessories, we work tirelessly to solve problems and deliver smarter insights for pet parents while enriching the lives of pets. Whether it’s a self-cleaning litter box that automates scooping, an automatic feeder that helps pets develop healthier eating habits, or a modern cat tree that delights both humans and felines, we strive to deliver better solutions for consumers while transforming pet care along the way. To us, having a pet is the best thing ever. At Whisker, life together just keeps getting better.

Whisker is based in Auburn Hills, Michigan and Juneau, Wisconsin with 450+ passionate team members.

What You’ll Do:

The Program Manager’s primary responsibility is to lead new pet tech product development programs and teams from concept through market launch.  Additionally, the Program Manager may have responsibility to lead sustaining activities for existing product lines.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary.

• Leads the development of new consumer pet products from concept through market launch utilizing the Whisker New Product Development (NPD) phase-gate (waterfall) process.
• Leads cross-functional project teams to achieve program goals.  This includes leading regular core team meetings composed of mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software engineering, manufacturing operations, supply chain, product management, quality, and marketing team members.
• Keeps up to date program schedules and actions in Smartsheet, and constantly communicates and monitors the critical path to maintain the schedule.
• Presents to key stakeholders at monthly project updates and gate meetings
• Utilizes a vast toolbox of methods, processes, templates, and software tools to keep projects organized and on-schedule
• Motivates and influences team members and stakeholders
• Assesses and manages risks in all aspects of project
• Compiles and updates the program business case based on inputs from core team members
• Stays up to date on the pet industry and connected home products 
• Performs additional responsibilities when required

What You’ll Bring:

• B.S. in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
• 3+ years of program management experience with consumer products consisting of electrical, mechanical, and software components
• 3+ years experience leading cross-functional teams 
• 1+ years of experience with “smart” product development including IoT, embedded software, mobile app development, and/or connected devices
• Strong financial acumen including project calculations, product cost, margins, project expense and capital budgeting and tracking
• Experience working with customers in multiple channels (direct to consumer, retail, e-commerce)
• Experience in risk management
• Proficient in Google Workspace and/or Microsoft Office 365
• Proficient in Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, or other comparable project management software
• Occasional travel to suppliers and Whisker’s manufacturing facility
• Experience developing product requirements and test plans

Not Required but Nice to Have!

• MBA
• PMI/PMP certification
• Business Intelligence software experience (Domo, Microsoft Power BI, etc.)
• Process mapping and procedure/template development
• Not required to have pets but highly recommended!

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The Team Member is frequently required to use hands to handle or feel. The Team Member is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The Team Member must continuously lift and/or move up to 35 pounds and occasionally up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 Benefits & Purrks: 

Join a tenacious, inventive company that empowers team members to chart their own path, lead by grounding decisions in the “why”, and has a strong sense of empathy and openness to new perspectives. Be a part of exciting growth, work with incredible people, and create tomorrow’s pet products—plus a whole lot of extras. You will also be provided with:

• Premium Medical/Dental/Vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• PTO
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401K with 4% Match
• Flexible Work Arrangements
• Top of the line equipment

Statement of Inclusivity:

We believe different perspectives make Whisker better and strive to create a place where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.

Please ensure to regularly check your email spam folder for any communication from Whisker to avoid missing important updates regarding your application status.

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