Technical Program Manager

Sterling Industries; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Industries is seeking a seasoned Program Manager to lead a portfolio of programs and projects, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to achieve strategic goals. The role requires collaboration across functions, strong leadership, and adherence to medical device quality standards.

You will guide multi-disciplinary teams, manage budgets, timelines, and risks, and drive projects from concept through commercialization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Engineering, or a related field.
• Master’s degree or PMP certification preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in program and project management, with at least 3 years in a leadership role managing multiple programs or projects and people in medical device industries.
• Experience leading projects from concept phase to commercialization phase.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a portfolio of programs and individual projects, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and strategic goals.
• Oversee the work of program managers and project teams, providing guidance and direction to ensure successful execution.
• Directly manage key projects, including planning, execution, and delivery, ensuring milestones meet quality, timeline, and budget requirements.
• Develop and implement program and project plans with scope, timelines, resources, and budget.
• Monitor performance, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Establish and enforce program management procedures and best practices for consistency and efficiency across initiatives.
• Mentor and develop program managers and team members, set goals, and conduct performance evaluations.

Skills

Program leadership

Regulatory knowledge (FDA ISO 13485)

Leadership & communication

Analytical problem-solving

Stakeholder management

Budget & resource management

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/admin or engineering

PMP certification

Tools

MS Project

Job description

This role requires a combination of strategic oversight, project leadership, and team management to ensure that all programs and projects are executed effectively, within scope, on time, and within budget. The Team Lead, Program Management will drive organizational goals, deliver exceptional results, and ensure alignment with the company's strategic objectives.

A Day in the Life:

• Autonomy:A Program Manager in the role is responsible for medium to large scale programs. A successful candidate will be able to advance the organization by developing new best practices and lead meetings with internal/external customers. Influential communication to many levels of management is required in this role.
• Organizational Impact:The candidate will own and ensure overall Operations project execution with respect to schedule, budget, resource allocation, risk management, issue resolution and compliance to internal quality requirements. Results are accomplished by leading up to 5 Extended Operations functions including Supply Management, Process Development, , Self-Manufacturing, Operations, , Quality, and External customers.
• Influence and Complexity: A successful candidate will be able to: 1) Apply best practices and lead meetings with internal/external stakeholders, 2) Communicate effectively to higher level management, 3) Solve issues through information exchange and influence, and 4) Gain cooperation of other functions on program objectives and plan execution.
• Flexibility: A successful candidate will need to work with international teams so work schedule flexibility is possible as long as all project needs are met. Travel is required for this role and is usually planned in advance to meet project needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Program and Project Leadership:
  
  
  
  • Lead and manage a portfolio of programs and individual projects, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and strategic goals.
  
  
  • Oversee the work of program managers and project teams, providing guidance, support, and direction to ensure successful execution of both programs and projects.
  
  
  • Directly manage key projects, including planning, execution, and delivery, ensuring they meet quality, timeline, and budget requirements.
  
  
• Strategic Planning and Execution:
  
  
  
  • Develop and implement comprehensive program and project plans, including scope, timelines, resources, and budget.
  
  
  • Monitor program and project performance, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies to address potential issues.
  
  
  • Ensure that project milestones are achieved and that projects contribute to the overall success of the program.
  
  
• Procedure and Process Management:
  
  
  
  • Establish and enforce program and project management procedures and best practices to ensure consistency and efficiency across all initiatives.
  
  
  • Continuously review and improve processes to enhance performance and alignment with organizational standards.
  
  
• Stakeholder Management:
  
  
  
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for key stakeholders, including senior management, clients, and external partners.
  
  
  • Communicate program and project status, progress, and issues to stakeholders, ensuring transparency and effective collaboration.
  
  
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate program risks and issues.
• Develop contingency plans and corrective actions to address potential challenges.
• Monitor and report on program performance, ensuring timely resolution of any deviations.
• Resource Allocation and Management:
  
  
  
  • Allocate resources effectively across programs and projects, balancing workloads and addressing resource constraints.
  
  
  • Ensure that program and project teams have the necessary tools, skills, and support to meet their objectives.
  
  
• Reporting and Documentation:
  
  
  
  • Prepare and deliver comprehensive reports on program and project status, including performance metrics and financial summaries.
  
  
  • Maintain accurate documentation and ensure compliance with organizational standards and regulatory requirements.
  
  
• Team Development:
  
  
  
  • Mentor and develop program managers and project team members, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
  
  
  • Set clear goals and expectations for team members, conducting regular performance evaluations and feedback sessions.
  
  

Qualifications :

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree or PMP (Project Management Professional) certification preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in program and project management, with at least 3 years in a leadership role managing multiple programs or projects and people in medical device industries. Knowledge and experience in leading the projects from concept phase to commercialization phase preferred.
• Skills:
  
  
  
  • Proven track record of successfully managing complex programs and leading individual projects.
  
  
  • Strong understanding of program and project management methodologies, tools, and best practices.
  
  
  • Knowledge of regulatory requirements and quality standards for medical devices (e.g., FDA, ISO 13485).
  
  
  • Familiarity with medical device procedures, including design controls, risk management, and validation processes.
  
  
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  
  
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
  
  
  • Proficiency in project management software and tools (e.g., MS Project).
  
  
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
  
  
  • Exercising good judgement in a complex stakeholder environment.