Program Manager

Graham Packaging; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401K Employee Saving Plan

Employee Wellness Program

Paid time off

Job summary

Graham Packaging is seeking a Program Manager to lead large, multi-project programs (> $2-3MM) and ensure coordinated scope, schedule, and budget across internal and external teams.

You will mentor project managers, influence PMO practices, and serve as the primary customer contact to drive successful execution and ongoing improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Engineering or related field; or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years managing projects/programs with cross-functional teams.
• Experience coordinating multiple projects within a program environment.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive execution with minimal supervision.
• Strong customer-facing, presentation, negotiation and executive communication skills.
• PMP certification preferred; equivalent training considered.
• Experience in manufacturing, product launches or related industries preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage programs with interdependent projects including scope, schedule, budget, risks and deliverables.
• Lead complex work independently, set goals, and drive progress to commitments.
• Serve as primary contact for key customers during program execution.
• Coordinate stakeholders across functions to align expectations and momentum.
• Mentor project managers and improve department processes and methodologies.
• Improve PMO tools, templates and practices to boost program delivery.
• Support governance with documentation, risk management, budgets and post-program reviews.
• May manage small programs outside industrial projects as needed.
• Travel average up to 35%.

Skills

Influence stakeholders

Prioritization

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

PMP certification preferred

Job description

Graham Packaging is a people, planet and values-based company and a leader in sustainable packaging manufacturing. From the kitchen to the laundry room, Graham Packaging is part of your everyday life.

For employees at Graham, our Blue Culture is part of their everyday lives, too. In other words, Blue is how we do things here.

At Graham, we are united by a clear vision. We know our part and help those around us know theirs, encouraging one another to continuously improve. We create a safe, challenging environment to innovate by supporting creative ideas and new ways of thinking. We take the initiative to cultivate our individual growth and help others do the same, while keeping ourselves and one another accountable. And we actively promote cooperation, collaboration, integrity and respect across regions and teams to foster an engaged, diverse and connected workforce.

We value our employees, and a Blue Culture allows for the most rewarding employee experience as part of the Graham family. Blue is how we feel about what we do—together—to create a better tomorrow. Working at Graham means you lead constructively with clear goals, use diverse thinking to drive excellence, accountability, innovation, as well as demonstrating collaboration, embracing learning, and taking action for continuous improvement and growth.

The Program Manager leads complex programs that encompass several related projects, typically greater than $2-3MM, ensuring coordinated scope, schedule, budget, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and successful execution across internal and external teams. This role operates independently with minimal supervision, serves as a primary contact for key customers during program execution, and advances PMO standards by mentoring project managers and improving departmental processes and methodologies.

The primary duties of a Program Manager include:

• Manage programs that encompass several interdependent projects and coordinate execution across scope, schedule, budget, resources, risks, dependencies, and deliverables.
• Lead complex, multi-element work with limited direction, independently assessing program needs, setting goals, and driving progress to commitments.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for key customers during program execution, ensuring clear communication, issue escalation, and alignment on outcomes.
• Engage internal and external stakeholders across functional areas to establish expectations, maintain accountability, resolve barriers, and sustain momentum.
• Mentor, coach, and develop less experienced project managers by sharing project management practices, providing guidance, and reinforcing consistent standards.
• Influence best practices and create improved PMO processes, tools, templates, and methodologies that strengthen program delivery performance.
• Support program governance through clear documentation, communication plans, RACI alignment, risk identification and mitigation, budget tracking, and post-program reviews.
• May manage small programs outside of industrial projects and product launches as business needs require.
• Travel average up to 35%

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Packaging Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Project Management, or a related technical or business discipline; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.
• 5+ years of on-the-job service managing projects, programs, or equivalent business initiatives, with demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and delivering business results.
• Experience managing multiple projects within a coordinated program environment preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders, manage competing priorities, and drive project execution with minimal supervision.
• Strong customer-facing, presentation, negotiation, and executive communication skills.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, or developing project team members preferred.
• PMP certification preferred; equivalent project management training and experience will be considered.
• Experience in manufacturing, product launches, industrial project execution, packaging, consumer goods, or related industries preferred.

The standard compensation for this role is $109,700 - $164,600. Salary offers will be determined based on final candidate qualifications, experience, skillset, and other relevant factors.

The expected salary range for the position described in this posting is made in accordance with the legal mandates of certain jurisdictions within the United States. The final agreed-upon compensation is based on individual qualifications and experience.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in the company’s 401K Employee Saving Plan and may participate in its Employee Wellness Program. Employees will also receive paid time off in accordance with company policy and state law requirements.

Graham Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, religion, creed, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.