Program Manager

Keel; Saginaw (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Benefit Package

401K Match

HSA/FSA

Paid Holidays

Paid Time Off

Shift Differentials

Overtime Potential

Certification Sponsorship

Career Growth Opportunities

Internal Referral Bonuses

Job summary

Keel is seeking a Program Manager to oversee and drive execution across multiple programs in manufacturing. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, optimize program structures, and ensure alignment between customers, partners, and company objectives.

The role emphasizes program-level delivery, risk management, and performance improvement, reporting to the Director of PMO and collaborating with senior leadership for operational excellence.

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 relevant experience or training in engineering, finance or manufacturing management.
• Proven leadership track record.
• Strong communication with customers and executives.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and drive execution across multiple programs to ensure technical, cost, and schedule performance.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and optimize program structures.
• Track and report program metrics, timelines, risks, and milestones for reviews.
• Report risks to the Director of PMO and manage changes within scope.
• Lead Project Managers and Coordinators and liaise with customers and suppliers.
• Ensure on-time delivery and profitability improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Budgeting & forecasting

Education

Bachelor’s degree (Business/Engineering/Finance)

PMI CAPM/PMP/PgMP

Tools

Microsoft Project

Smartsheet

Power BI

ERP systems (IFS)

Job 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

The Program Manager oversees and drives execution across multiple programs or complex project platforms to ensure strong functional, technical, and financial performance. This role provides elevated leadership beyond day-to-day project management by coordinating cross-functional teams, optimizing program structures, and ensuring alignment between customers, fabrication partners, internal stakeholders, and company objectives. The Program Manager is accountable for program-level delivery, risk management, and performance improvement across assigned platforms, contributing to enterprise goals while supporting Project Managers and collaborating closely with senior leadership to maintain operational excellence.

Explore The Depth Of The Role

• Liaison between Keel’s fabrication partner(s) and Keel’s leadership team.
• Focal point to Keel’s customer(s).
• Tracks and reports all program metrics, 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 and cadence.
• Reports 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.
• Manages change through tracking of required work outside of the original scope before and after performance for approval and customer invoicing.
• Increases contracted parameters/Opportunities when feasible for increased profitability.
• Recommends resources and scheduling needs in support of program 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 and Coordinators as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Mission Readiness:

• 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 relevant experience or training in engineering, finance or manufacturing management
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven leadership track record.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft software applications; Microsoft Project preferred, Smartsheet and Power BI experience beneficial.
• Understanding of ERP systems, IFS working knowledge is preferred.
• Proven capabilities in managing departmental budgets, financial forecasting, EVMS preferred.
• Professional and excellent customer and executive leadership communication skills.
• PMI CAPM or PMP/PgMP Certification preferred.
• Heavy plate fabrication experience that includes welding is preferred.

Travel Requirements

• Occasional travel between facilities and customer sites 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