Program Manager

Flex; Buffalo Grove (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Flex is seeking a Program Manager in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, to oversee the complete product lifecycle for manufacturing programs. The ideal candidate will lead cross-functional teams, ensuring project execution aligns with financial targets and customer satisfaction.

This role requires strong leadership skills, a background in engineering or business management, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Flex values innovation and collaboration, offering a supportive environment for professional growth.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Program/project management in engineering, production, operations, supply chain, or related management.
• Solid understanding of relevant concepts and practices.
• Ability to exercise judgment within defined procedures and policies.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end product lifecycle for a manufacturing program.
• Lead cross-functional teams and oversee project execution.
• Monitor financial performance and deliver on manufacturing costs.

Skills

Project management

Customer relationship management

Financial management

Leadership

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

Flex is the diversified manufacturing partner of choice that helps market‑leading brands design, build and deliver innovative products that improve the world. A career at Flex offers the opportunity to make a difference and invest in your growth in a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative environment. If you are excited about a role but don't meet every bullet point, we encourage you to apply and join us to create the extraordinary.

Purpose

The Program Manager manages and oversees the end‑to‑end product lifecycle for a manufacturing program, ensuring that production, quality, safety, and cost targets are met. The Program Manager is accountable for maintaining efficient manufacturing operations to meet internal and customer expectations. This role focuses on achieving high levels of forecast accuracy, managing manufacturing costs, and project timelines aligned with the overall manufacturing capacity for a customer program. This role requires a strategic leader who can effectively manage resources with cross‑functional teams, optimize operational processes, and drive continuous improvement initiatives to maximize customer satisfaction and manufacturing performance.

Principal Responsibilities

• Interfacing with customers, including solving customer problems, building relationships, and managing escalations.
• Leading successfully small to medium‑size projects with cross‑functional teams from initiation to completion in a fast‑moving environment.
• Participating in project planning sessions and contributing to timelines and deliverables.
• Participating in cross‑departmental teams to deliver projects or initiatives.
• Facilitating meetings between different teams to ensure alignment.
• Effectively presenting project updates to stakeholders and senior leaders.
• Preparing reports or presentations summarizing project progress and outcomes.
• Participating in lean initiatives.

Specific Responsibilities

• P&L Management / Financial Management / Cost Management: Responsible for delivering the manufacturing cost committed to the forecast. Monitor financial performance, report on Manufacturing cost FCST variances, and drive actions for improvement.
• Team Leadership / CFT Owner: Lead cross‑functional teams (CFT), coordinating efforts across different departments.
• Project Planning and Procurement Execution: Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery, ensuring they are completed on time and within Manufacturing cost FCST. Define and manage project scope, goals, timelines, and deliverables.
• Customer Relationship Management / Customer Communication: Act as customers' Program/Site representative, ensuring their needs are met. Supports customer visits. Regular updates to inform customers of project status, challenges, and successes. Site score / Quality Score / Delivery Score.
• KPI Tracking / Operational Excellence: Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to customer satisfaction, OTD, quality, Accounts Receivable (AR), and financial performance.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks to the project and implement strategies to mitigate them.
• Contract Compliance / Management: Ensure all services and activities performed by the site follow the contract and agreements. Ensure compliance with contract terms (set by the commercial team) and manage contractual obligations; all non‑contractual situations must be escalated to GAM’s (proposal).
• Scope / Change Management: Manage changes in project scope, schedule, and resources effectively. Manage Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and Product Change Notifications (PCNs) in accordance with customer requirements. Ensure changes to scope are clear. Address any impact from the change request that needs to be adequately solved by the commercial team.
• Forecast Management: Acknowledge input from demand forecasts and ensure alignment with production capacities (man, machine, materials). Supports the development of accurate forecast and demand plans.
• Claims Management: Variance Management Tracking identifies possible claims and recoveries and addresses them with the commercial team for timely resolution.
• Inventory Management: Oversee inventory levels to ensure adequate supply for production at Site level.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure that project deliverables meet quality standards and customer expectations.
• Reporting and Documentation: Provide regular updates and comprehensive documentation of program activities.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive initiatives for process improvements and operational efficiencies.
• ESG and Sustainability - Customer requirements: Implement customer requirements as agreed & vetted by Commercial Teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in Program/project management in engineering, production, operations, supply chain, or related management.
• Provides ongoing coaching and mentoring to team members, helping them develop their skills and advance their careers.
• Solid understanding – good grasp of relevant concepts and practices.
• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and policies for selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.
• Establishes and recommends changes to policies.
• Make decisions to ensure that work progresses as planned.
• Addresses immediate issues or challenges during project execution, determining the best solutions to keep projects on track.
• Makes decisions related to quality assurance processes, including how to monitor and evaluate the quality of deliverables.
• Implements quality control processes to ensure that project deliverables meet the required standards defined in the contract. Facilitates effective communication among CFT, stakeholders, and upper management to ensure alignment and transparency.
• Inspires, guides, and influences others towards achieving common goals.
• Supervises the execution of individual projects within the program, ensuring they are delivered on time, within contract scope, and on Manufacturing cost FCST.
• Manages changes to the program scope, schedule, and resources, ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and engaged.

MF15

Flex is an Equal Opportunity Employer and employment selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. We do not discriminate based on: age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, pregnancy status, or any other status protected by law. We're happy to provide reasonable accommodations to those with a disability for assistance in the application process. Please email [e-mail] and we'll discuss your specific situation and next steps (NOTE: this email does not accept or consider resumes or applications. This is only for disability assistance. To be considered for a position at Flex, you must complete the application process first).