Project Leadership Office Program Manager

Whirlpool, Inc.; Saint Joseph (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discount

Benefits package

Fitness reimbursement

Educational reimbursement

Kitchens and break areas

Job summary

Whirlpool Corporation seeks a Project/Program Leader for the Project Leadership Office at our Saint Joseph Tech Center in Michigan. You will lead cross-functional global teams, manage scope, schedule, cost and quality, and guide projects through the full lifecycle from initiation to closing.

You will drive KPIs, use the WPD system, and ensure timely gate approvals. Ideal candidates have a bachelor’s degree and 3+ years in project or program management, with experience in consumer/durable goods

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• 3+ years of project or program management with cross-functional teams.
• PM certifications like PMP or DASM are preferred.
• Experience in Consumer/Durable Goods or Home Appliance industry is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of multiple projects across stages: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring & controlling, closing.
• Drive project KPIs and governance through gate approvals.
• Collaborate with global cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Embed and apply Whirlpool Product Development (WPD) tools and methods.

Skills

Project Leadership

Cross-functional Teams

Stakeholder Management

Gate Approvals

Risk Management

Budget & KPIs

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Engineering background

Tools

WPD System

Job description

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2025, the company reported approximately $16 billion in annual net sales - close to 90% of which were in the Americas - 41,000 employees, and 35 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

This role in summary

Whirlpool is currently seeking qualified candidates for our Project Leadership Office (PLO) as Project or Program Leader. The role is based at a St Joseph Tech Center in Michigan USA location.

As a PLO Project (Program) Manager, you will work with cross functional global teams and will be responsible for several aspects of multiple projects including scope, time, cost & quality management to ensure a successful project delivery. You will be working with the entire project lifecycle: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring & controlling, and closing. Main responsibilities for delivery of new product development projects & derivative models approved in the platform planning phase. This person provides recommendation for all gate approvals and delivery of project KPIs, embedment of Project Management and WPD (Whirlpool Product Development) system tools, techniques and practices in the PLO (Project Leadership Office) community and project teams.

Your responsibilities will include

• Delivery of new product development projects approved in platform planning phase & KPIs monthly. Leads the project team in all projects phases, since Initiation, passing through Planning, Control & Monitoring, Execution and
• Work on projects using the Whirlpool Product Development (WPD) System / Methodology, for Production Development Projects (PDP).
• Recommendation for all gate approvals. Collect project requirements from all stakeholders, managing trade-offs to meet project goals. Project leader is the voice of the project, the central point of contact that conducts project meetings, integration events, status reports and gate approvals in all levels of the organization.
• Embedment Project Management and WPD (Whirlpool Product Development) system tools, techniques and practices in the PLO (Project Leadership Office) community and project teams.
• Responsible for managing the project in the perspective of all knowledge areas: Project Integration, Scope, Time, Cost, Quality, Human Resources, Communications, Risk, Procurement, Stakeholder Management.
• Manages global cross-functional teams to deliver new product development projects in regional and/or global scale, taking projects from original concept, till final implementation and project release; through weekly core team meetings, 1:1 interactions, and other forums & communications.Clear and consistent ability to motivate teams of people, cross-functionally, to collaborate on achieving platform goals.
• Manages risks, developing plans to avoid, mitigate, transfer, accept or explore them along with project team. Drive issues resolution.
• Manages changes guiding the team to request, analyze impact and probability, and make the go/no go decisions on change.
• Manage data in multiple systems to report KPIs (Key Project Indicators) monthly, provide component part tracking status, and bridge communication networks between core team members. Drive capital calendar and project expenses planning & execution, providing oversight on spending and monthly outlook status.
• Travel to key manufacturing sites (NAR), especially during project launch periods, is required for this role. Expect 3-5 days per month on average.
• Ability to capture opportunities to maximize business benefits and focuses on uncertain events in a positive manner. Able to navigate complex situations and enable the team to think systemically to identify potential solutions.
• Ability to adjust to a changing environment or situation and to adopt a flexible approach that shifts according to the situation
• Systemic vision - ability to see the high-level overview of the organization and effectively negotiate and implement decisions and/or actions that support strategy.
• Business acumen - excellent business judgment with ability to make the tough calls to ensure product leadership is delivered.
• Ability to capture opportunities to maximize business benefits and focus on uncertain events in a positive manner.
• Problem solving - Able to navigate complex situations and enable the team to think systemically to identify potential solutions.
• Flexibility - Ability to adjust to a changing environment or situation and to adopt a flexible approach that shifts according to the situation.
• Integration Management - Performing the activities to identify, define, combine, unify, and coordinate the various processes and project management activities within the Project Management groups.
• Business acumen - excellent business judgment with ability to make the tough calls to ensure product leadership is delivered
• Seeks effective way to generate ideas, alternatives, and possibilities

Minimum requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• 3+ years of experience in project or program management, including leading cross-functional teams or multi-stakeholder initiatives

Preferred skills and experiences

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Administration
• Master’s degree
• Multilingual welcome since position will work with different regions besides the USA: Mexico, India, Brasil, China, Italy
• Certifications - Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification and/or Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM) Certification - both granted by Project Management Institute (PMI)
• 1 - 5 years of experience in Consumer/Durable Goods Sector Product Development.Experience in the Home Appliance industry, and in Cooking / Dishwashing
• Financial planning, analysis and capital investment management

What we offer

• Generous benefits package, Whirlpool employee discount, fitness & educational reimbursement programs, kitchenettes, and more! Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor locations: Beautiful, recently renovated office space, free coffee, biking/walking trails, and access to The Eddy - Early Childhood Center (depending upon availability - additional costs required).

Additional information

Whirlpool’s Ways of Working

Our goal is to provide an environment that helps you bring your best to Whirlpool every day. We offer flexibility and industry-leading time-off benefits that will help you balance what’s important at work and at home, including:

• Always On Flexibility - You will have the autonomy to manage personal, family, and outside-of-work commitments as needed.
• Two-Week Work from Anywhere - Minimum of one-week increments for a total of two weeks per year.
• Sabbatical - Four weeks paid leave after every five years of service.

Whirlpool Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibits any discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable law.