Manager of Program Management
Apply NowCompany: LER TechForce LLC
Location: Hartford, WI 53027
Description:
Job Title: Manager of Program Management
An industry leader in the design, manufacture, and application of innovative vehicle controls and telematics systems for both on- and off-highway vehicle OEMs, this company provides a complete range of controllers, displays, keypads, and telematics solutions. Their application development tools and engineering services offer OEMs the flexibility and configurability needed to create customized vehicle control systems.
As a key member of the Engineering Leadership Team, the Manager of Program Management will lead and oversee the project management team, ensuring the successful execution of product development projects. The team is responsible for establishing project plans, governance, and managing budgets, schedules, project milestones, and customer relationships. The Manager will champion key product development processes, promoting their use and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Team Leadership and Development:
Education:
An industry leader in the design, manufacture, and application of innovative vehicle controls and telematics systems for both on- and off-highway vehicle OEMs, this company provides a complete range of controllers, displays, keypads, and telematics solutions. Their application development tools and engineering services offer OEMs the flexibility and configurability needed to create customized vehicle control systems.
As a key member of the Engineering Leadership Team, the Manager of Program Management will lead and oversee the project management team, ensuring the successful execution of product development projects. The team is responsible for establishing project plans, governance, and managing budgets, schedules, project milestones, and customer relationships. The Manager will champion key product development processes, promoting their use and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Team Leadership and Development:
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing project management team, fostering a collaborative and results-driven culture.
- Establish and implement processes and toolsets linked to deterministic product development delivery.
- Lead engineering-wide capacity planning, budgeting, and strategy formulation.
- Promote professional growth and skill development within the team.
- Provide actionable performance feedback to team members to support continuous improvement.
- Drive recruitment activities for team expansion.
- Manage the full employee lifecycle, including hiring, mentoring, coaching, performance appraisals, and separations.
- Lead cross-functional teams across the organization to ensure timely completion of project milestones and deliverables, delivering high-quality products that meet or exceed customer expectations.
- Oversee New Product Development (NPD) from concept through production launch and sustainment, utilizing the company's phase-gate Product Development Processes.
- Take ownership of project metrics, ensuring adherence to product development processes and maintaining alignment with project goals.
- Ensure projects meet departmental milestones, goals, and approved budgets.
- Regularly report on project status, issues, and actions to senior management, empowering project managers to take ownership of their respective projects.
- Chair the Monthly Executive Project Review.
- Oversee the Change Control Board (CCB) for Engineering Change Notices (ECN).
- Champion product quality throughout the design process.
- Drive initiatives focused on product cost reduction.
- Provide regular updates to internal and external stakeholders on project progress and issues.
- Travel as needed to support product development reviews with customers.
Education:
- Bachelor's or master's degree in physical sciences or business; Engineering degree preferred.
- 10+ years of project management experience; PMP certification preferred.
- Proven ability to manage complex projects and meet Quality, Cost, and Delivery targets.
- Experience in managing, allocating, and balancing resources across multiple development projects at the enterprise level.
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and leadership skills, with a focus on servant leadership.
- Experience managing direct reports and driving employee development.
- Strong familiarity with both Waterfall and Agile software project management methodologies.
- Experience leading projects within an Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) framework.
- Expertise in managing projects with significant software development components.
- Proficiency with Software Development Planning and Project Management tools such as DevOps, Jira, Microsoft Project, or similar platforms.
- Proven experience in employee development, performance management, and fostering a high-performance culture.
- Ability to balance a customer-centric approach with company business strategy, achieving positive outcomes.
- Demonstrated competitive spirit, a desire to win, and a strong commitment to business growth.
- Strategic mindset with a keen attention to detail and the ability to actively guide and drive the team forward.
- Data-driven decision-maker, utilizing facts and supporting data to measure progress, drive change, and inform decision-making.
- High level of personal accountability to ensure team and individual commitments are met.