Program Manager

Keel; Saginaw (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

401K match

HSA/FSA

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Internal referral bonus opportunities

Shift differentials

Overtime potential

On‑the‑job training

Certification sponsorship

Job summary

Keel, based in Michigan, seeks a seasoned Program Manager to oversee assigned programs from planning through execution. You will coordinate with fabrication partners and Keel leadership, track milestones, manage risks, and ensure on‑time delivery while maintaining profitability.

The role requires strong leadership, budgeting acumen, and experience in manufacturing environments, with the ability to communicate with customers and executive teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Engineering, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of program management experience in manufacturing/production.
• 3 years of related experience or training in engineering, finance or manufacturing management.
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong leadership skills in past positions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; MS Project preferred; SmartSheet/PowerBI helpful.
• Understanding of ERP systems; IFS knowledge preferred.
• Experience managing departmental budgets.
• Strong communication with customers and executive leadership.
• PMI CAPM or PMP/PgMP certification preferred.
• Heavy plate fabrication experience including welding preferred.

Responsibilities

• Liaison between Keel’s fabrication partner(s) and Keel’s leadership team.
• Communicate with customers and report to the Director of PMO.
• Track and report program measurables, goals, timelines, risks, and milestones.
• Report daily to the Director of PMO on risks and potential delays affecting paths, budget, or delivery.
• Track work orders outside scope of work for approval and invoicing.
• Increase contracted parameters/opportunities for greater profitability where feasible.
• Act as liaison for internal and external stakeholders of the program.
• Recommend resources and scheduling for on‑time program delivery.
• Detect, report, and resolve program issues timely and effectively.
• Manage technical data and documentation for the program.
• Communicate program developments to team members and other departments.
• Lead and provide direction to Project Managers as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder liaison

Program management

Budget management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Engineering, Finance, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Project

SmartSheet

PowerBI

IFS

Job description

Description

Built on Experience. Built for Skill. Built for You.

Keel was formed by bringing together three industry leaders combining generations of hands‑on expertise in steel fabrication, shipbuilding, aerospace, and defense manufacturing. That means when you join Keel, you’re joining a team backed by decades of proven craftsmanship and real-world results. We build ships, defense systems, aerospace components, and heavy steel structures that serve critical missions — and we do it with pride.

Your Mission

Coordinates and monitors the performance across assigned program platforms to achieve the best functional, technical, and profitable value of company projects.

Explore The Depth Of The Role

• Liaison between Keel’s fabrication partner(s) and Keel’s leadership team.
• May communicate directly with Keel’s customer(s) professionally and reports out to the Director of PMO.
• Tracks and reports all program measurables, plans, goals, logistics, timelines, critical paths, risks, assumptions, and milestones throughout the program(s) lifecycle to be shared during program reviews or when requested to senior management, stakeholders, and suppliers using appropriate tools on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
• Reports daily to the Director of PMO all risks and potential interruptions that may cause any projects to miss any critical paths i.e. budget, on-time delivery, quality issues, etc.
• Tracks all required work orders outside of the original scope of work before and after performance for approval and customer invoicing.
• Increases contracted parameters/Opportunities when feasible for increased profitability.
• Acts as the Liaison for the internal and external stakeholders of the program.
• Recommends resources and scheduling requirements for the implementation of the program for on time delivery.
• Detect, report, and solve program issues timely and effectively.
• Manage technical data and documentation for the program.
• Effectively communicates program developments and results to team members and liaise with other departments as well as customers on an ongoing basis.
• Lead and provide direction to the Project Managers as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Engineering, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of program management experience in manufacturing/production setting.
• 3 years of relative experience or training in engineering, finance or manufacturing management.
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven great leadership skills in past positions.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft software applications; Microsoft Project preferred, SmartSheet and PowerBI experience beneficial.
• Understanding of ERP systems; IFS working knowledge is preferred.
• Proven capabilities in managing departmental budgets.
• Professional and excellent communication skills with experience in corresponding with customers and executive leadership.
• PMI CAPM or PMP/PgMP Certification preferred.
• Heavy plate fabrication experience that includes welding is preferred.

Travel Requirements

• Between facilities as needed.

Physical Requirements

• May be required to stand, walk, sit, reach/pull/push with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop or kneel regularly.
• May lift or carry 50lbs; weights exceeding 50lbs will require mechanical means to maneuver.

Become a part of our Builders and you too can…

• Uphold Safety and Quality Standards
• Embody Team Spirit
• Relentless Customer Focus
• Convey Integrity, Trust, and Professionalism
• Execute with Excellence and Velocity

What Keel Will Build For You

• Comprehensive Benefit Package
• Competitive Pay
• 401K Match
• HSA/FSA
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Internal Referral Bonus Opportunities
• Shift Differentials
• Overtime Potential
• Paid on the Job Training
• Certification Sponsorship Opportunities
• Committed to Individual Career Growth
• We Do Fun Things, Plus More!

Need Assistance?

If you require a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the employment process, please email [e-mail] with details about your request and your contact information. Accommodation requests are reviewed individually on a case‑by‑case basis. Please note that this email address is monitored only for inquiries related to reasonable accommodation requests.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans