Job Description

Description

Position Summary:

The Program Manager position is highly visible and reports directly to the Senior Manager of Program Management.  This position is responsible for a wide array of domestic and international program management activities.  Key areas of responsibility include but are not limited to; working within Carma Labs existing Stage Gate Processes to support new product development activities, business support programs, front end innovation processes, commercialization timelines and select merchandizing display programs. The Program Manager works closely with cross-functional team members to schedule and facilitate team meetings, prepare timelines, provide process governance and improvements as appropriate, support/drive team alignment & collaboration, hold team members accountable, and work with the finance department to define and track appropriate program performance metrics and costs. They will also be responsible for working independently to define and track program specific resource demand, capacity and gaps with an ongoing focus on continuous improvement. The Program Manager will work with the Senior Manager of Program Management and functional business leaders to support the development and execution of portfolio and product roadmap strategies in support of achieving corporate goals and objectives.

Reports to: Senior Manager of Program Management

Functional Responsibilities:                            

• Works in collaboration with program sponsors, supervisor, organizational leadership, and senior cross-functional team representatives to plan and develop scope, user design requirements, deliverables, required resources, resource demand vs capacity, schedule, budget, and timing for new initiatives.
• Works closely with senior cross functional leaders and supervisor to discuss staffing plans, align on resource allocation requirements and prioritize programs based on business needs defined in quarterly NPD meetings.
• Works independently to create detailed program schedules that define the required sequence of events/tasks/activities to successfully complete each project/program. 
• Employ risk-based project management tools to create more visibility across the organization relating to NPD risks, gaps, and opportunities. 
• Works with supervisor and/or independently with functional leaders to identify and assign program resources (team representatives and/or to define financial/capital requirements) required to effectively and efficiently support prioritized programs.
• Schedules team meetings and lead the review and updating of program schedules with cross-functional team(s) on a weekly basis and revises schedules as required.
• Routinely provides project/program updates to Senior Manager of Program Management and presents updates to senior management as appropriate
• Works with Senior Manager of Program Management to provide recommendations that continually improve upon existing program management, Stage Gate, metric-tracking, and ideation processes.
• Assist/Lead resource capacity/demand planning assessments; provide management updates as appropriate.
• Manages/Facilitates program Core Teams according to the established policies and practices of Carma Laboratories.
• Works to ensure all new project/program personnel receive an appropriate orientation.
• Schedule & facilitate brainstorm sessions (as needed)
• Executes programs according to the program plan(s)
• Develops forms and records to document and track program activities, metrics, and lessons learned.
• Creates and manages program histories to ensure that all program information is appropriately documented and safely stored
• Monitors the progress of programs and adjusts as necessary to ensure the successful completion of each program.
• Reviews the quality of the work completed with the program team on a regular basis to ensure that it meets the program standards and Executive Leadership Team members expectations.  Provides real-time feedback to core team members in support of continuous improvement (and to highlight areas of improvement required).
• Manages tracking and reporting of R&D activities to ensure accurate alignment with key programs and compliance requirements, enabling capture of potential tax-related benefits at year end.
• Works closely with supervisor and R&D department head to support the required cultural team behaviors (collaboration, trust, open/honest discussion, passionate problem/solution mindset…) to ensure that team capabilities are a purposeful investment as part of continuous NPD process improvement.
• Collaboratively facilitates and drives programs and sends out weekly meeting minutes and updated program schedules in a timely manner.
• Works directly with Finance Department to ensure that all financial requirements (P&L’s, COG’s, margin assessments etc.) for each assigned program are up to date and shared weekly during program team meetings.
• Teaches and encourages the correct team behaviors while enforcing accountability ensuring that program deliverables are completed on time, within budget (as appropriate) and at the required level of quality with the appropriate level of team recognition (celebrate wins).
• Collaborates with program teams and supervisor to establish clear, detailed program requirements and functional area commitments during the initial planning phase and employs change control (revisions) practices ensuring that the stage gate process is followed with all changes/updates tracked.
• Develop team/process training materials as appropriate
• Leads/Assists in the facilitation of core team developmental activities

Required Experience, Desired Skills & Qualifications:                               

• Minimum 5-10 years of hands-on experience leading/facilitating cross-functional project/program management activities in a PM role capacity.
• Proficiency in the use of computers (Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, OneNote, etc.)
• Adaptability: Flexible, willing to respond quickly to changes in organizational priorities, projects, responsibilities, or expectations while thinking ahead and consistently focusing on improvement.
• Behaves Ethically and Honestly: Understands ethical behavior and business practices and ensures that individual behavior and the behavior of program team members is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
• Elevate concerns/areas of NPD related risks that jeopardize programs schedules and/or creates avoidable company risk(s) in a timely manner.
• Communicates Effectively: Speaks, listens, and writes in a clear, thorough, and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Creativity/Innovation: Works with supervisor, R&D department head and teams to develop new and unique ways to improve operations of the organization and to create new opportunities.
• Fosters and drives Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with supervisor, senior management, peers/colleagues, and team members to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Lead: Positively influences others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization.
• Make Decisions: Assesses situations to determine the importance, urgency, and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
• Organize work independently and with Supervisor (as appropriate), colleagues, and team members to set priorities, develop work schedules, monitor progress towards goals, and track details/data/information/activities.
• Plan: Collaboratively develops strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create, and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Solve Problems: Assesses problem situations to identify root causes, gathers, and processes relevant information, generates possible solutions, and makes recommendations and/or resolves the problem.

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related subject (i.e. Chemistry, Engineering, Business)
• Strongly preferred; Program Management Certification (i.e. Project Management Institute – PMI or equivalent PM certification)

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and computer skills; and talk or hear.

• The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Employee must be able to sit or stand and work on a computer for up to eight hours in a workday.
• Ability to function in highly demanding, multi-tasking situations.

Environmental Requirements:

The work environments described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Qualifications