Customer Program Manager

Gleason Corporation; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Tuition Assistance Program

Employee Assistance Program

Development opportunities

Job summary

Gleason Corporation in Rochester, New York, is seeking a Customer Program Manager responsible for managing customer programs from inception to execution. This role requires excellent communication skills and a customer-centric work ethic.

The successful candidate will negotiate complex contracts, perform risk analysis, and ensure on-time delivery while maintaining customer satisfaction.

Ideal candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and a minimum of three years' customer or program management experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years of customer/program management experience.
• Understanding of gears and Curvic Couplings is desired.
• Ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Lead all stages of the customer program.
• Negotiation and management of contracts.
• Perform risk analysis for programs/projects.

Skills

Customer-centric work ethic

Excellent communication skills

Project management

Lean methodologies

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Management or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SAP Modules: Sales, Materials, Quality and Production

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Description

Posted Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 4:00 AM

About Gleason

With more than 2,200 employees and 13 manufacturing facilities worldwide, Gleason Corporation is a leader in gear technology. Gleason's product and service offerings include gear and transmission design software, gear manufacturing machines and related accessories, gear metrology equipment and automation systems. Gleason products are used by customers in e‑mobility, commercial vehicles, aerospace, agriculture, mining, sustainable energy, construction, power tools, marine and many other industries.

Working for Gleason, you will be connected to work that matters, putting your expertise to its best use while developing skills for the future. The result is a career defined by you, supported by Gleason and built on tangible accomplishments. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are looking for the right people to join us on our mission. If you are interested in being part of our team, there are a few things you should know: We are energized by challenges and the effort needed to solve them. We like working with people who are positive, adaptable and growth‑minded. We care how work gets accomplished and are deeply invested in the success of our customers and colleagues. If this sounds like you, we invite you to read on and learn more.

Why work at Gleason?

• Excellent benefits package including a 6% Company 401(k) match
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Formal and informal Development opportunities.

SUMMARY

The Customer Program Manager is responsible for leading all stages of the customers program or project and is the primary contact for Specialized Gear Services (SGS) customers. The position requires an individual that demonstrates a customer‑centric work ethic, has excellent communications skills, and is dedicated to continuous improvement initiatives. This position interacts with both the external customer, suppliers, and internal operations with regards to status and execution throughout the life of the program.

Responsible for negotiation and management of large, complex contracts and changes, review of proposal preparation; responsible for delivery, technical baseline, and terms and conditions. Performs contract review and acceptance; administers and monitors contract performance. Manages scope of the work and schedule to ensure customer satisfaction and contract compliance throughout manufacturing, purchasing, and finance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Responsible for all facets of customer relations in SGS; manage assigned projects from proposal stage through completion ensuring compliance of all program requirements.
• Participate in and co‑lead daily production meetings with SGS Management and Engineering.
• Close coordination with organization managers/leads to keep programs on schedule. Create and maintain project plans for specific customer needs.
• Interact with key customers keeping them informed of manufacturing schedules in a professional and timely manner.
• Perform risk analysis for programs/projects as required and ensure that the risk is being mitigated and contingencies are in place where applicable.
• Work with Quality to ensure timely and accurate customer communications regarding quality issues and planned resolution.
• Work with Supply Chain to ensure sustainable sourcing and processes are secured to support manufacturing needs.
• Work with management to align designated staffing required to support contract execution.
• Problem‑solve in a team environment using lean methodologies including Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action tools.
• Responsible for timely collection and resolution of account receivables.
• Support business growth objectives for both the company and departments strategic deployment goals (SDs).
• Answer incoming calls pertaining to SGS sales and services.
• Travel to customer facilities as requested by Management.
• Assist with customer/vendor entertainment as requested by Management.
• Actively participate in the Gear Solution Engineering Team, supporting Application Engineering and Training business functions as needed.

JOB SPECIFIC SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING, OR EXPERIENCE

The candidate for this position should have a minimum of three years’ customer / program management background. Engineering or specific project management experience is a plus. Industrial production experience desired, preferably in a machine products‑related industry. An understanding of gears and Curvic Couplings desired but not required.

• Demonstrated experience leading and managing programs/projects from inception through execution resulting in a successful conclusion regarding customer satisfaction and achievement of company goals.
• Experience in Project Management in the industrial sector preferred.
• Experience in business and quality systems that support ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and AS9100 requirements.
• Must be able to manage multiple programs simultaneously with a focus on meeting customer needs and expectations to ensure on‑time delivery.
• Must possess proficient writing and verbal communication skills. Can present information to a variety of audiences including management, customers, vendors, peers, etc. Ability to translate complex commercial and technical requirements for all involved in the project.
• Experience working directly on site with Customers in a related Project Manager position.
• Position requires occasional evening/weekend work hours as needed to accommodate workload.
• Demonstrated experience with project risk analysis and the mitigation / resolution of the same.
• Demonstrated experience with data management systems. Creation and execution of contracts, sales orders, and product configuration.
• Demonstrated inter‑personal skills within a company‑wide collaborative environment as well as with an external customer base.

COMPUTER SKILLS

SAP Modules: Sales, Materials, Quality and Production

Other: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Project, Outlook

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Travel requirements are less than 10% of the time and within the United States.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four‑year college or university; Bachelor’s Degree – Business Management or Mechanical Engineering; and 5‑7 year(s) related experience, and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

The salary range in this posting depends on qualifications and experience. Actual compensation may vary, and this job posting is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, nor a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee, which is always dependent on relevant experience, qualifications/education, and other factors including work schedule, shift premiums, and overtime.

Gleason is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to age, disability, genetic information and/or predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, national origin, race/color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, victim of domestic violence status, arrest or conviction record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

OFFICE ENVIRONMENT

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that would need to be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job in an office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job may include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job in an office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, experience and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed. Employees are required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by their manager or supervisor.

DISCLAIMER

The duties listed in this job description are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed and is not an all inclusive summary of job duties and responsibilities. The omission of specific statements or duties and responsibilities does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the Company as the needs of the Company and requirements of the job change.

The Gleason Works, 1000 University Avenue, Rochester, New York, United States of America