Lead Program Manager

Lead Program Manager – Hybrid

Towson, MD, United States

This role requires onsite work in Towson, MD, minimum 3 days per week.

• Direct Program Management:
  Engineering New Product Development Focus – Leveraging cross‑functional knowledge of New Product Development methodologies to effectively manage risks, coordinate project activities and make appropriate decisions – Independently leads projects with the highest level of innovation, complexity and capital spend.
• In Addition to Direct Program Management – Lead a product sub‑category and effectively manage category risks across multiple high‑complexity projects.
• Generate, recommend, and support implementation of continuous improvement process development related to Program Management, Process Management, Cross‑Functional Working Relationship Development, and Metric‑Driven Performance Improvement Levers – Challenges the status quo to identify new opportunities for project acceleration and effectively implements learnings in alignment with the Engineering Excellence team.
• Generate awareness and recommend control actions related to portfolio‑level metrics within the Design Center Goals – Monitor sub‑category KPI’s (e.g., Agility, Product Cost, Capital Spending, CTQ’s) and proactively identify non‑conformance to drive cross‑functional teams toward mitigation strategies.
• Support and facilitate training of colleagues cross‑functionally related to targeted improvement of performance related to portfolio‑level metrics with Design Center Goals.
• Develop and implement mitigation plans for identified project risk.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional team to develop timing and action plan for the project.
• Ensure dependencies and critical path are identified and clearly communicated.
• Maintain technical knowledge through continuous development by educational workshops and pursuing certifications.
• Work with Product Management to develop and monitor program P&L and key drivers that affect overall program financial health, ensuring programs meet established objectives (e.g., margins, costs, revenue).
• Apply technical knowledge and understanding to day‑to‑day decision making.
• Complete projects by scheduling and assigning resources and following up on work.
• Guide development of technical project objectives by reviewing project proposals and plans.
• Determine critical activities to execute program objectives.
• Support cross‑functional teams to work seamlessly across boundaries of company, culture, and geography for successful project execution.
• Lead collaboration efforts across the organization to leverage best practices, expertise, and shared resources.
• Prepare project status and communicate risks to leadership with proper detail and recovery plans.
• Challenge and provide constructive mitigation strategies.
• Run efficient meetings by establishing cadence and techniques.

• 10+ years of experience in Engineering Product Development required.
• 5+ years of experience in Engineering Product Development or Program Management of Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing Product Development preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, mathematics or related field.
• Strong communication skills including demonstrated history of effective upward communication.
• Proven experience in new product development within consumer and professional goods industries.
• Demonstrated personnel management skills and the ability to lead cross‑functional teams, including executive leadership.
• Strong understanding of NPD financial principles and ability to quickly understand impacts of changes to relevant variables (e.g., factory/l… landed costs, SG&A, capital, SGM, AGM, payback period).
• Strong track record of facilitating effective collaboration between business units and technology departments.
• Familiarity with structured project management methodologies (e.g., Critical Path) and proficiency in project management tools such as Microsoft Project and Microsoft Office applications.
• Solid understanding of basic manufacturing processes, production planning, and best practices in project deployment, including policies, procedures, and process improvement.
• Advanced analytical and logical problem‑solving skills, with the…