PRIMARY FUNCTION:

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for providing customer focused project management support for key business unit initiatives and strategic projects to achieve defined manufacturing process, product management and supply chain related goals.  This position offers a broad span of responsibility and high corporate visibility, working cross-functionally across North America business units, and providing project management support and influence across the global AO Smith organization.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:

The Senior Project Manager will work with Director of Global Manufacturing & Process Engineering and A.O. Smith facilities to provide project management support for various strategic projects as business needs require.

SPECIFIC DUTIES/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Establish relationships and understanding of site challenges, working with local plant experts, manufacturing, quality & supply chain teams to help develop and advance key initiatives and strategic projects to achieve defined facility, manufacturing process, product management and supply chain related goals.
• Facilitate and lead multi-site, multi-functional collaborative efforts in sharing ideas and leveraging learnings to accelerate core manufacturing process productivity improvements.
• Develop and manage Project Charter(s) to define the project scope, resource needs, specific milestones and tasks, associated effort estimates, project assumptions, expected risks and a communication plan for reporting progress.
• Manage work activities of geographically dispersed cross-functional teams, create project plan, facilitate the plan and work (monitor and adjust), manage project risks, is accountable to leadership team and closes project by delivering products that meet the value proposition and benefit the company.
• Coordinate the project plan activities including daily huddles, Andon’s, knowledge gaps, manages use of technology tools to facilitate work, the lead process and communication as well as lead the team through integration events to bring the larger cross-functional teams together in alignment
• Manage a communication plan to include a project team kickoff meeting, escalation plan and weekly progress reporting. Escalates quickly when issues cannot be resolved at the project team level.
• Ensures project deliverables are completed on time and are of high quality, including business requirements and approval, and reports status to stakeholders in a timely manner.

BASIC QUALIFICIATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field from a 4-year college or university (manufacturing or mechanical engineering preferred)
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, with broad project management experience working within manufacturing, product engineering & supply chain work environments
• Professional Project Management certification (PREFERRED)
• Highly motivated, self-starter who can prioritize based on overall goals and objectives
• Strong leadership & coaching skills and able to plan, develop, and execute tactical and strategic manufacturing initiatives, and must carry out duties with utmost integrity
• Good project management skills with proven ability to influence without authority in meeting defined goals, objectives & deadlines

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: (Preferred qualifications)

• Demonstrated ability to facilitate cross-functional, multi-site collaborative efforts, and build relationships that promote cooperation and consensus between global team members
• Ability to use critical thinking and resolve problems using root cause analysis and other tools focused on continuous improvement
• Must be able to travel (upwards of 50% as business needs require)
• Organized with strong communication skills, both verbal and written with the ability to clearly articulate project related information to project sponsor, business unit and executive leadership
• Proficient with computers and programs, specifically Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc
• Familiarity with lean methodologies (A PLUS)
• Experience with heat pump & HVAC technologies and related manufacturing & assembly processes (A PLUS)

We Offer:  Competitive base salary and comprehensive benefits plans which include medical and dental insurance, company-sponsored life insurance, retirement security savings plan, short- and long-term disability programs and tuition assistance.

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