Senior Program Manager

GILLIG; Livermore (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

GILLIG seeks an experienced Senior Program Manager to lead complex product development and improvement programs from concept through production launch and sustainment. You will drive cross-functional execution across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Operations, Finance, Service, and other stakeholders to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery of high-quality transit bus products.

You will serve as the primary accountability for assigned programs and liaise with executives,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience leading complex product development, new product introduction, or cross-functional programs within relevant industries.
• Experience operating within structured product development environments (phase-gate, APQP, or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of product development lifecycles, manufacturing readiness, launch planning, and cross-functional program execution.
• Experience managing program schedules, budgets, risks, dependencies, and stakeholder communications.
• Excellent business acumen with ability to align cross-functional teams to strategic objectives.
• Exceptional verbal, written, presentation, and influencing skills.
• Experience with ERP, PLM, or related product development systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional teams to deliver new product development and product improvement programs on time, on budget, and on specification.
• Serve as the single accountable leader for overall program execution and communication across assigned programs.
• Develop and maintain integrated program plans, schedules, milestones, dependencies, and deliverables.
• Drive estimation, planning, organization, execution, and monitoring of cross-functional activities throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Ensure alignment of program objectives with business goals, customer requirements, and organizational priorities.
• Coordinate readiness activities across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, service, and operations for launch and ramp.
• Drive cross-functional alignment on priorities and resource allocation, addressing competing demands.
• Identify, assess, communicate, and mitigate program risks, issues, dependencies, and opportunities.
• Escalate critical decisions and execution challenges to leadership.
• Track and report program performance related to schedule, cost, scope, quality, and health.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance management.
• Develop mitigation and recovery plans when programs deviate.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Program management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Problem-solving

Strategic thinking

Analytical reasoning

ERP/PLM familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Operations/Business

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

ERP

PLM

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Program Manager to lead complex product development and product improvement programs from concept through production launch and sustainment. As a key member of GILLIG's Program Management organization, you will be responsible for driving cross-functional execution across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Operations, Finance, Service, and other stakeholders to ensure successful delivery of strategic programs.

This role oversees program planning, execution, cost management, risk mitigation, stakeholder communication, and organizational readiness activities, ensuring delivery of high-quality transit bus products that meet customer, regulatory, schedule, and financial requirements. The Senior Program Manager serves as the primary point of accountability for assigned programs and acts as a key interface between internal teams, executive leadership, suppliers, and transit agency customers.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical and business acumen with exceptional communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. This individual must be comfortable operating in a dynamic product development environment, managing competing priorities, driving alignment across functions, and proactively escalating issues to support timely decision-making.

This position reports to the Senior Director, Program Management and works closely with leaders throughout the organization to ensure successful program execution and launch readiness.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL

• Lead cross-functional teams to deliver new product development and product improvement programs on time, on budget, and on specification while fostering a culture of product excellence.
• Serve as the single accountable leader for overall program execution and communication across assigned programs.
• Develop and maintain integrated program plans, schedules, milestones, critical paths, dependencies, and deliverables.
• Drive estimation, planning, organization, execution, and monitoring of cross-functional activities throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Ensure alignment of program objectives with business goals, customer requirements, and organizational priorities.
• Coordinate engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, service, and operations readiness activities to support successful product launch and production ramp.
• Drive cross-functional alignment on priorities and resource allocation, proactively addressing competing demands that may impact program execution.
• Identify, assess, communicate, and mitigate program risks, issues, dependencies, and opportunities throughout the program lifecycle.
• Drive timely escalation of critical decisions, resource constraints, and execution challenges to ensure leadership visibility and support.
• Track, analyze, and report program performance related to schedule, cost, scope, quality, and overall execution health.
• Support program budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance management activities.
• Develop mitigation and recovery plans when programs deviate from established objectives.

Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned programs, ensuring accurate, timely, and transparent communication across all stakeholders.
• Prepare and deliver program status updates, executive reviews, milestone reports, and decision-support materials.
• Facilitate program team meetings, leadership reviews, and cross-functional decision-making discussions.
• Build strong relationships across all levels of the organization to foster collaboration, accountability, and successful outcomes.
• Partner with suppliers, customers, and external stakeholders as required to support program objectives.
• Partner with functional leaders to ensure product development processes, deliverables, and organizational capabilities support successful program execution and launch.
• Support continuous improvement of program management practices, governance processes, reporting methods, and execution disciplines.
• Capture and institutionalize lessons learned through structured post-program reviews and continuous improvement activities.
• Support adoption of evolving business systems, tools, and processes, including ERP and PLM-related initiatives where applicable.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• Minmum 10 years of experience leading complex product development, new product introduction, or cross-functional programs within commercial vehicle, automotive, aerospace, industrial equipment, manufacturing, or related industries.
• Demonstrated success leading major product development programs from concept through production launch and sustainment.
• Experience operating within structured product development, phase-gate, APQP, or equivalent new product introduction environments.
• Strong understanding of product development lifecycles, manufacturing readiness, launch planning, and cross-functional program execution.
• Experience managing program schedules, budgets, risks, dependencies, and stakeholder communications.
• Excellent business acumen with demonstrated ability to align cross-functional teams to strategic objectives.
• Exceptional verbal, written, presentation, and influencing skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, including the ability to transform complex information into actionable insights and decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority and drive alignment across highly matrixed organizations.
• Proven strategic thinking, sound judgment, initiative, and ability to successfully navigate ambiguity and organizational complexity.
• Experience working with ERP, PLM, or related product development systems preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and occasionally kneel or squat.
• Must be able to complete all physical requirements of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to navigate a manufacturing environment and work comfortably around machinery, tools, and production equipment.
• Must be able to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, hearing protection, bump caps, and other required equipment.
• Approximately 10% travel required.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

GILLIG is committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace that values and respects the unique talents, experiences, and perspectives of our employees and the people we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.