Senior Program Manager

Senior Program Manager - Supply Chain Capital Infrastructure (EPMO)

Location: Remote (U.S.) with frequent travel to Joliet, IL (Chicago area) and Atlanta, GA

Duration: Contract through January 2027 with strong likelihood of extension

Level: Senior Manager

Our client is undertaking a major supply chain modernization initiative and is seeking a Senior Program Manager - Supply Chain Capital Infrastructure to lead the execution of a distribution center transformation program . This highly visible role will oversee the development and operational launch of a 1+ million square foot distribution facility , transforming a newly constructed shell into a fully operational, technology-enabled logistics hub.

Operating within the Enterprise Program Management Office (EPMO), this leader will drive strategic alignment, capital project execution, operational readiness, vendor management, and cross-functional coordination across Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, Technology, Product Management, and Site Operations. The ideal candidate has extensive experience managing large-scale capital infrastructure programs, distribution center launches, and complex enterprise transformations.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Strategic Execution

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of a capital investment program supporting a large-scale supply chain modernization initiative.
• Align program execution with corporate strategic objectives focused on optimizing cost-to-serve, operational efficiency, and business growth.
• Develop and maintain integrated program roadmaps, milestones, and execution plans across multiple workstreams.
• Ensure successful delivery through disciplined management of scope, schedule, budget, quality, and overall business outcomes.

Distribution Center Buildout & Operational Readiness

• Direct the transformation of a 1+ million square foot distribution center from construction completion to full operational readiness.
• Coordinate facility readiness activities including infrastructure, engineering, material handling equipment (MHE), technology deployment, and workforce enablement.
• Oversee implementation timelines for warehouse technology, automation, and operational systems.
• Drive launch readiness planning, cutover activities, risk mitigation, and stabilization efforts.

Cross-Functional Program Management

• Serve as the central point of coordination across:
• Supply Chain Operations
• Facility Engineering
• Construction and General Contractors
• Material Handling Equipment Vendors
• Product Management
• Information Technology
• Finance
• Human Resources
• Field Leadership Teams
• Facilitate executive decision-making and remove barriers impacting delivery timelines.
• Establish governance structures and accountability models across internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Develop and manage complex interdependencies between facility construction, equipment installation, technology deployments, utility readiness, and operational startup activities.
• Proactively identify and mitigate program risks, including:
• Supply chain disruptions
• Vendor performance issues
• Budget variances
• Operational readiness gaps
• Lead issue escalation and resolution processes to protect critical milestones.
• Manage capital budgets, forecasts, and financial reporting for a multi-million-dollar program.
• Monitor CapEx performance and variance reporting while ensuring alignment with approved funding and business cases.
• Deliver executive-level updates to senior leadership, including Supply Chain executives, Finance leadership, and technology stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with enterprise PMO standards, governance requirements, and internal controls.

Organizational Change Management

• Partner with functional leaders to drive adoption of new processes, technologies, and operational capabilities.
• Develop change management, communication, and training strategies supporting successful site activation.
• Foster stakeholder engagement and alignment throughout the program lifecycle.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Finance, Operations Management, or related field.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible program management experience within an Enterprise PMO or large-scale transformation environment.
• Proven experience leading capital infrastructure, supply chain, distribution center, warehouse, or logistics transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrated success managing programs with budgets exceeding $20M.
• Experience overseeing large-scale industrial facilities, distribution centers, fulfillment centers, or logistics operations.
• Strong expertise in program governance, budgeting, forecasting, risk management, and executive reporting.
• Experience managing multiple vendors, contractors, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and executive presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent program management certification.
• Experience launching or expanding distribution centers exceeding 1 million square feet.
• Background in supply chain modernization, warehouse automation, logistics technology, or network optimization programs.
• Experience with Organizational Change Management (OCM) methodologies, including Prosci.
• Familiarity with warehouse management systems (WMS), transportation management systems (TMS), and supply chain technologies.
• Prior experience supporting enterprise-wide transformation programs within retail, distribution, manufacturing, or logistics environments.

Technical Skills

• Jira, Confluence, and enterprise PPM platforms
• Program governance and portfolio management
• Capital project and CapEx management
• Supply chain and distribution center operations
• Schedule and dependency management
• Executive reporting and KPI development
• Risk and issue management
• Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid delivery methodologies
• Construction and infrastructure project oversight