Program Manager

Title: Program Manager

Company: Global Power Components –

Location: Milwaukee, WI (onsite 5-days/week)

Hire Type: Direct Hire

Position Summary:

Global Power Components is seeking an experienced Program Manager to oversee large customer programs and strategic accounts within our engineer-to-order (ETO) manufacturing business. This role serves as the senior point of contact for complex projects and key customers while providing leadership and guidance to Project Managers responsible for daily project execution. The Program Manager is responsible for managing customer relationships, overseeing multiple related projects, supporting commercial and operational decision-making, and ensuring successful execution of large-scale manufacturing programs from quotation through final delivery. This position bridges Sales, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Project Management to ensure customer objectives, project milestones, and business goals remain aligned. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in manufacturing, engineering, industrial construction, power systems, fabrication, or custom equipment projects and be comfortable managing executive-level customer relationships while driving internal accountability and performance.

Core Responsibilities:

Program & Account Management

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for strategic customers and large multi-project accounts.
• Oversee multiple active projects within assigned customer programs.
• Develop and maintain long-term customer relationships while serving as the primary escalation point.
• Lead regular customer meetings, project reviews, business updates, and schedule discussions.
• Manage customer expectations regarding schedules, scope changes, manufacturing constraints, and delivery commitments.
• Identify opportunities for additional business, repeat orders, and program growth.

Project Management Leadership

• Provide guidance, support, and oversight to Project Managers assigned to customer programs.
• Ensure projects are properly planned, executed, and communicated throughout the organization.
• Assist Project Managers with schedule conflicts, change orders, customer escalations, and production challenges.
• Review project status reports, milestones, risks, and recovery plans.
• Promote standardization and best practices across project management activities.

Commercial & Financial Oversight

• Support Sales and Estimating teams during project handoff and contract review processes.
• Review pricing assumptions, scope changes, and customer change orders throughout project lifecycles.
• Monitor program profitability, budget performance, and project financial metrics.
• Evaluate business risks and assist leadership with strategic decision-making.
• Participate in forecasting, backlog reviews, and customer demand planning activities.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate activities between Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, Production, Quality, Logistics, and Project Management teams.
• Drive resolution of issues impacting project schedules, customer commitments, or operational performance.
• Lead internal program reviews and ensure alignment between departments.
• Facilitate communication regarding production priorities, resource planning, and customer expectations.

Schedule & Execution Management

• Monitor schedules across multiple projects and customer programs.
• Identify risks to project timelines and proactively implement recovery plans.
• Review long-lead materials, critical path items, and production constraints.
• Ensure customer commitments are aligned with manufacturing capacity and business objectives.
• Maintain visibility into project milestones and program-level deliverables.

Metrics & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and track key program-level metrics including: On-time delivery, Customer satisfaction, Program profitability, Project cycle times, Backlog performance, Change order activity, Forecast accuracy, Resource utilization
• Analyze performance trends and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Drive process improvements that improve scalability, customer service, and operational efficiency.

Required:

• 7+ years of experience in project management, program management, engineering, manufacturing, industrial construction, fabrication, or related technical environments.
• Experience managing large customer accounts and highly complex projects.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, engineer-to-order project execution, and customer relationship management.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence organizational priorities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, presentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong financial, scheduling, and analytical capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred:

• Experience managing strategic accounts in power systems, industrial equipment, fabrication, construction, or manufacturing industries.
• PMP certification or advanced project/program management training.
• Experience with contract management, commercial negotiations, and customer escalations.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, Manufacturing, or a related field.
• Experience with ERP systems, Smartsheet, and project management software.

Tools & Systems:

Smartsheet, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, ERP Systems, CRM Platforms, Project Tracking & Reporting Tools