Senior Project Manager / Strategic Customer Programs

Reports To: CEO
Position Summary
The Senior Project Manager role is responsible for leading high-visibility, global customer projects from initial engagement through installation, factory implementation, production readiness, and formal transfer to operations. Reporting directly to the CEO, this position serves as the primary interface between customers, executive leadership, engineering, operations, manufacturing, and site teams.
The successful candidate will bring strong technical judgment, structured project governance, executive-level communication skills, and the ability to drive accountability across cross-functional and global teams. This role requires a hands-on leader who can manage complex customer requirements, mitigate risk, and ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within scope, and aligned with business and customer expectations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Global Project and Program Leadership
• Lead complex international customer projects from concept and requirements definition through production transfer and project closure.
• Develop and maintain project charters, schedules, milestones, budgets, risk registers, action plans, and escalation processes.
• Drive execution across multiple functions, sites, and time zones while ensuring clear ownership, timely follow-up, and disciplined project governance.
• Ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within scope, and aligned with customer requirements and business priorities.
Customer Engagement and Executive Communication
• Serve as the primary project contact for strategic global customers and customer leadership teams.
• Lead customer meetings, project reviews, status updates, and executive presentations with clear communication of risks, decisions, and next steps.
• Translate customer requirements, technical expectations, schedules, and deliverables into actionable project plans.
Installation, Factory Implementation, and Production Readiness
• Lead equipment installation, commissioning, startup, and implementation activities at customer and company sites.
• Coordinate internal and external teams during installation, factory layout planning, equipment integration, and manufacturing flow readiness.
• Manage transfer-to-production activities, including documentation completion, operational handoff, training readiness, and project closure.
Executive Reporting and Risk Management
• Report directly to the CEO on project status, risks, financial impact, timelines, customer activity, and key decisions required.
• Prepare concise executive-level summaries, dashboards, and presentations for senior leadership and customer-facing discussions.
• Identify risks early, escalate critical issues appropriately, and provide practical recommendations to support timely decision-making.