Sr. Program Manager - Contract (Macon, GA)

A leading OEM manufacturer of specialty vehicles is growing its Advanced Engineering Program Management discipline during a strong growth year. You'll lead complex, major program initiatives end-to-end - from planning through Gate Review - reporting to the VP, Program Management. This is a hands-on execution role for someone who wants to build, not just maintain.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, vision, and direction for assigned project teams
• Lead development of project scope, timing, and budget; coordinate activities to keep programs on time and on budget
• Build detailed, achievable timing plans in Microsoft Project using team input
• Create and negotiate Statements of Work (SOWs) between internal stakeholders and third-party providers; monitor and assign internal actions to completion
• Communicate deliverable expectations; plan, monitor, and review project tasks to ensure adherence to the company's stage-gate product development process
• Coach and guide project team members
• Identify resource requirements and communicate needs to functional area leaders
• Make decisions and take independent action on matters directly affecting project objectives
• Continuously evaluate project status and report regularly to Executive Management and key stakeholders
• Prepare Gate Review documentation and lead review meetings with management
• Manage and report on budgets, spend, and product costs
• Drive cross-functional teams effectively even under pressure and shifting priorities

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or an Engineering-related field
• Minimum 7 years managing major, complex projects
• 2+ years in a manufacturing or technical environment
• S. citizen or permanent resident, authorized to work in the U.S.
• Proactive, can-do mindset with the ability to operate independently and take ownership
• Comfortable with ambiguity and fast-paced, shifting priorities
• Willing and able to travel up to 50%
• Open to a 6+ month contract engagement

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• MBA or Master's in Engineering Management
• PMP Certification
• Technical or engineering development background
• Experience managing a product development program from concept to launch
• Experience with process development and continuous improvement

Tools & Environment

• Microsoft Project, Excel, and PowerPoint (advanced proficiency)
• Manufacturing/OEM environment with a formal stage-gate development process
• Cross-functional, matrixed team structure with executive-level reporting

Ideal Candidate Profile

You're a doer, not someone who watches things happen - you take ownership and drive outcomes without needing heavy oversight. You anticipate problems before they escalate and bring a strong, driven, "figure it out" attitude to fast-moving, ambiguous situations. You're equally comfortable running a detailed project plan and presenting program status to senior executives, and you thrive in a manufacturing environment where the stakes and the pace are both high.