At Sonos we want to create the ultimate listening experience for our customers and know that it starts by listening to each other. As part of the Sonos team, you’ll collaborate with people of all styles, skill sets, and backgrounds to realize our vision while fostering a community where everyone feels included and empowered to do the best work of their lives.
As the New Product Operations Leader (what we call internally as Product Realization Leader), you are accountable for successfully bringing new consumer electronics products to market, overseeing the entire manufacturing development of a new product from ideation through to mass production. You will lead a cross‑functional Product Operations team and be the primary bridge between Operations and Product Development. Your focus is on achieving product cost targets, time‑to‑market, quality, capacity, and program budget. The product scope this role is concerned with includes smart speakers, sound bars, wearables, amplifiers, new hardware categories, and various accessories.
What You’ll Do
Program Leadership & Execution
- Lead the cross‑functional Product Operations team, which includes Sourcing, Manufacturing Engineering, Process/Tooling Engineering, Quality, Material Planning, Logistics, and Factory Program Management.
- Tightly integrate Operations work streams with the Product Development team to drive NPI program success.
- Manage and drive all aspects of the operations program schedule and budget.
- Organize and drive the resolution of major operations decisions and issues identified during development.
- Motivate, energize, and lead the team with optimism while instilling a strong quality mindset.
- Capture and manage all Operations Lessons Learned for each product development cycle.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain Oversight
- Collaborate closely with the factory project managers to plan and execute all NPI builds (Proto, EVT, DVT, PVT) at the component, sub‑assembly, and final assembly levels.
- Accountable for managing the Bill of Materials (BOM) and managing the Engineering Change Order (ECO) release process starting at the EVT build.
- Develop, manage, and report the Cost of Goods Manufactured (COGM) to the broader program team.
- Identify and resolve major operations / sourcing / manufacturing risks for a program.
Communication & Program Health
- Ensure consistent and proper communication regarding program status, highlighting critical issues, risks, and proposed mitigation plans to all stakeholders.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify organizational process gaps within the product development engine and drive systemic changes to improve overall effectiveness at Sonos.
What You’ll Need
- A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline, manufacturing, or program management.
- At least four years of experience working in manufacturing, including leading New Product Introduction (NPI) programs within consumer electronics or a closely related industry.
- Demonstrated project management experience, with the ability to drive complex programs from concept through ramp and into sustained production.
- Experience managing program budgets, including cost tracking, forecasting, and trade‑off decision‑making.
- Strong working knowledge of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Cost (DFC), and the ability to partner effectively with design, engineering, and operations teams to influence outcomes early.
- Proven leadership skills, with experience driving alignment and execution across cross‑functional teams including hardware, operations, quality, and supply chain.
- Strong critical thinking skills, with the ability to assess risk, balance competing priorities, and make informed decisions in ambiguous situations.
- Experience navigating conflict and mediating trade-offs in a constructive, respectful way that keeps teams moving forward.
- Excellent listening, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative approach to problem‑solving.
- A team‑first mindset, with the ability to motivate, support, and energize teams through challenging phases of development.
- A hands‑on problem solver who is comfortable diving into details, identifying root causes, and driving practical solutions.
Key Skill Set
Leadership & Program Ownership
- Drives a strong sense of program ownership, leads cross‑functional teams, and consistently models Sonos Behaviors while mentoring teammates.
Technical & Manufacturing Expertise
- Leads the team in implementing manufacturing principles, best practices, and Sonos’ end‑of‑line testing standards, with the ability to clearly explain them. Possesses a fundamental understanding of Product Development functions to support Operations activities.
Operations Acumen
- Possesses a deep understanding of manufacturing, quality, supply chain, logistics, and general business operations functions, actively ensuring their appropriate involvement in every program.
Soft Skills
- Proactively identifies and communicates clearly with all cross‑functional stakeholders impacted by program or process changes. Mentors junior teammates, continuously seeks opportunities for learning, and actively solicits cross‑discipline and cross‑team feedback.
Your profile will be reviewed and you’ll hear from us once we have an update. At Sonos we take the time to hire right and appreciate your patience.
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