Program Manager

James Hardie; Wilmington (OH); On-site; USD 130,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Bonus eligibility

Health insurance

401(k) with match

Parental leave

Wellness programs

Sustainability initiatives

Job summary

James Hardie is seeking an experienced leader to drive cost reduction initiatives and manage cross-functional programs across product management, supply chain, and finance. You will define objectives, milestones, and deliverables while ensuring projects stay on time and within budget.

In this role, you will partner with suppliers, R&D, planning, and operations to optimize processes, advance product specifications, and deliver measurable savings. Travel up to 30% may be required.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's in Operations Management or Engineering.
• Minimum five years in Operations or Engineering.
• Minimum three years managing large complex projects.
• Strong leadership and ability to motivate non-direct reports.
• Excellent written and verbal communication across all levels.
• Ability to travel about 30% annually.
• Strong financial acumen and ability to analyze financial data.

Responsibilities

• Define project objectives, timelines, milestones, and deliverables within budget and timelines.
• Collaborate with senior management and cross-functional teams to gain buy-in for cost-reduction initiatives.
• Serve as the connection point into plants for Product Management and ensure alignment with Sales and Marketing.
• Coordinate with R&D, Process Development, Planning, ESH, Quality and Production to schedule trials.
• Partner with Sourcing and Planning to optimize supplier contracts and production serialization.
• Establish KPIs and report program status, financial savings, and ROI to stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Financial acumen

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Operations Management or Engineering

Job description

James Hardie is the industry leader in exterior home and outdoor living solutions, with a portfolio that includes fiber cement, fiber gypsum, composite and PVC decking and railing products. Our family of trusted brands includes Hardie®, TimberTech®, AZEK® Exteriors, Versatex®, fermacell®, and StruXure®.

With over 8,000 employees and our U.S. operating entities headquartered in Chicago, we boast 31 operating sites, 6 recycling facilities, and 6 research and development centers globally. Powered by a dynamic workforce, we’re united by our purpose of Building a Better Future for All™ through sustainable innovation, a Zero Harm culture, and a commitment to empowering our people and communities.

For more information, visit www.jameshardie.com.

Summary

What You’ll Do:

• Overarching View: Define project objectives, timelines, milestones, and deliverables and ensure successful execution of projects and overall programs within budget and timelines.
• Communication: Collaborate with various stakeholders, including senior management, department heads, and cross-functional teams to gain buy-in and support for cost reduction initiatives. Facilitate effective communication and engagement to ensure alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
• Product Management. Serve as the connection point into the plants for Product Management. Collaborate to ensure full alignment pertaining to achievement of product specifications, aesthetics, and characteristics. Ensure Product Management has a complete picture of project progress to ensure timely product planning and communication with Sales and Marketing teams. Advocates for our customers – distributors, dealers, and most importantly contractors and homeowners. Studies the voice of the customer not simply by reviewing claims data, but through customer surveys, online reviews, primary and secondary research. Understands the competition and the advantages and disadvantages of competitive and substitute products.
• Research and Development: Collaborate with R&D and Process Development (including Recycle) to ensure proper project prioritization and to anticipate next steps and completion of key milestones. Coordinate with R&D, Process Engineering, Planning, ESH, Quality and Production teams to ensure timely scheduling and execution of trials.
• Supply Chain: Partner with Sourcing to ensure evaluation and favorability of vendor contracts, terms negotiation, and identify opportunities for cost savings through strategic supplier management. Coordinate with Planning to ensure seamless integration of production trials, inventory strategies, and eventual production serialization.
• Financial: Partner with Finance and oversee detailed financial analysis, including cost-benefit analysis, financial modeling, and variance analysis to identify cost drivers, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement. Analyze financial data and metrics to track the progress, effectiveness of cost reduction initiatives and ROI.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks and obstacles that may impact the success of individual projects and the overall program(s). Develop risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans to minimize disruptions and ensure the achievement of goals.
• Process Improvement: Identify process inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and waste across different functions or operations. Partner with CI teams to drive process improvement initiatives to streamline workflows, eliminate redundancies, and enhance productivity.
• Performance Tracking and Reporting: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor and evaluate the progress and effectiveness of cost reduction programs. Prepare regular reports and presentations to communicate program status, financial savings, and other relevant information to stakeholders and senior management.
• Change Management: Drive organizational change by fostering a cost improvement culture and “out of the box” mindset across the organization. Develop and implement change management plans, including communication strategies and training to facilitate adoption and acceptance of cost reduction initiatives.
• Continuous Improvement: Continuously assess and identify opportunities for ongoing cost optimization and operational efficiency. Stay updated on industry best practices, market trends, and emerging technologies that can drive innovative approaches, process improvement and cost reduction.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Operations Management or an Engineering discipline.
• Minimum five years of experience in an Operations or Engineering function.
• Minimum three years of experience in managing large and complex projects.
• Strong leadership skills; ability to motivate and drive team members who are not direct reports.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate with all levels of the organization.
• Strong organizing skills and trained in formal project management tools.
• Strong financial acumen. Understands basic financial metrics and financial statements.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality.
• Continually demonstrates a team-player attitude toward work and co-workers.
• Ability to travel 30% annually.

What You’ll Receive:

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this position is $130,000K to $140,000K. Placement in the range depends on several factors such as experience, skills, geography and internal equity and may change over time. This position qualifies for benefits and you will be eligible to participate in a bonus plan.

At James Hardie, we recognize that our success depends on our people. We've worked hard to build a generous and competitive benefits program that demonstrates our commitment to our employees.

• Compensation: competitive salary and bonus eligibility
• Insurance: health coverage medical, dental, vision, life insurance
• Paid Time Off: vacation and company holidays
• Retirement: 401(k) with match
• Work-Life Balance: parental leave, wellness programs
• Purpose. Impact. Community: Sustainability Initiatives | James Hardie

This role is an opportunity to join the AZEK Group, LLC, a part of the James Hardie Building Products family of companies, where you’ll contribute to a culture driven by growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact.

James Hardie Building Products Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, veteran's status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, or any other basis protected by law.

James Hardie will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies.

The position responsibilities outlined above are in no way to be construed as all encompassing. Other duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be required and/or assigned as necessary.