Job Description:

Director, Global Program Management (Power & Mechanical Systems)

Role Summary

Nextpower is seeking a Director, Global Program Management to lead the Program Management function within Supply Chain Strategy for Power & Mechanical Systems. This leader will own the global PM operating model, portfolio governance, execution cadence, and cross-functional delivery across critical programs tied to sourcing strategy, manufacturing readiness, NPI, VAVE/cost reduction, automation, process improvement, factory transitions, and special strategic projects.

This is not a manufacturing engineering management role; however, the person must have strong manufacturing, NPI, factory readiness, and process execution experience to effectively support complex programs where Manufacturing Engineering, Sourcing, Engineering, Quality, Reliability, Operations, and suppliers/contract manufacturers must execute together.

The role reports to the VP, Supply Chain Strategy - Power & Mechanical Systems, Logistics and will lead a global team of program managers supporting Power Systems, Mechanical Systems, tools/fasteners, eBOS, Inverters, BESS, automation, robotics, foundation equipment, NPI, regional manufacturing, and adjacent business initiatives.

The need for this elevated role is supported by the current PM scope, which already includes global launches, factory ramps, program governance, Power BI dashboards, Smartsheets, JIRA/NPI handoff, launch frameworks, manufacturing readiness, and manufacturing ramp programs.

Key Responsibilities
1. Global Program Management Leadership

• Lead the global Program Management organization supporting Supply Chain Strategy across Power Systems, Mechanical Systems, tools/fasteners, eBOS, Inverters, BESS, automation, robotics, foundation equipment, VAVE, NPI, and special strategic programs.
• Own the PM operating model, including portfolio governance, program cadence, escalation mechanisms, executive reporting, and cross-functional accountability.
• Ensure all critical programs have a clear plan of record, milestones, owners, risks, decisions, dependencies, escalation paths, and measurable business outcomes.
• Drive predictable execution across global programs supporting product launches, factory ramps, supplier transitions, second-source qualifications, regional manufacturing, cost reduction, and strategic business integrations.
• Serve as the senior escalation point for PM execution risks, ensuring early identification, mitigation planning, ownership alignment, and closure.

2. Manufacturing Engineering / NPI / Factory Readiness Support

• Partner closely with Manufacturing Engineering to support factory readiness, supplier readiness, line bring-up, tooling, fixtures, testers, PPAP/RTM, control plans, work instructions, and launch-gate execution.
• Integrate Manufacturing Engineering deliverables into program plans, ensuring visibility to risks, readiness gaps, and decisions required.
• Provide PM leadership for manufacturing-heavy programs without directly owning the ME function.
• Support factory ramps, product transfers, CM/supplier transitions, regional manufacturing enablement, and post-launch stabilization.
• Ensure manufacturing readiness is assessed early and consistently across programs, with clear ownership and escalation where needed.

3. NPI, Automation, VAVE, and Process Improvement

• Lead PM execution support for NPI programs, automation initiatives, process improvement, VAVE/cost reduction, and sustaining/post-ramp qualification programs.
• Partner with Engineering, Sourcing, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Reliability, and Operations to convert technical and commercial priorities into executable roadmaps.
• Drive program discipline around cost-reduction pipelines, qualification timelines, validation plans, savings realization, and risk mitigation.
• Support scalable governance for PRQ, sustaining updates, second-source qualifications, and manufacturing/process improvements.

4. Portfolio Governance, Tools, and Executive Visibility

• Own the global portfolio management process for Supply Chain Strategy programs.
• Maintain and improve program dashboards, KPI reporting, program health, on-time delivery, launch readiness, risk visibility, and executive-level portfolio reviews.
• Continue scaling program tools and governance mechanisms such as Power BI dashboards, Smartsheets, JIRA/NPI handoff tools, launch strategy frameworks, and standardized program pages.
• Build a common execution language across teams for program status, risks, decision logs, owners, and escalations.
• Ensure portfolio data supports decision-making around resources, risk, cost, timing, and business priorities.

5. Cross-Functional and Executive Leadership

• Act as the connective tissue between Supply Chain Strategy, Manufacturing Engineering, Strategic Sourcing, Product Engineering, Quality, Reliability, Operations, Finance, Logistics, Sales/Commercial teams, and external suppliers/contract manufacturers.
• Translate business priorities into execution plans that support revenue growth, margin improvement, customer commitments, regional manufacturing, supply resilience, cost reduction, and working capital goals.
• Influence and align senior stakeholders in ambiguous or fast-moving situations.
• Drive clarity, urgency, and accountability across teams without relying on excessive escalation.

6. People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a global team of program managers and PM leaders.
• Build a high-accountability, high-trust culture focused on ownership, urgency, clarity, follow-through, and professional collaboration.
• Develop PM talent capable of operating close to program details while also scaling through systems, cadences, and team ownership.
• Recruit and develop strong PM leaders across regions and domains as the business scales.

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in program management, supply chain program execution, manufacturing readiness, NPI, operations, product launch, or global manufacturing execution.
• 8+ years of people leadership experience, including experience leading managers, senior program managers, or global execution teams.
• Proven ability to lead complex global programs involving Sourcing, Manufacturing Engineering, Product Engineering, Quality, Reliability, Operations, Finance, and external suppliers/contract manufacturers.
• Strong background supporting NPI, factory ramps, supplier transitions, manufacturing readiness, PPAP/RTM, product transfer, sustaining governance, or cost-reduction programs.
• Strong program management fundamentals: critical path management, milestone planning, RACI, risk registers, decision logs, executive reporting, escalation management, and portfolio governance.
• Strong business acumen, including ability to connect execution to COGS, margin, cost reduction, capacity, supply continuity, working capital, customer commitments, and revenue enablement.
• Executive communication skills with the ability to simplify complex issues, align stakeholders, and drive timely decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams and create a culture of accountability, trust, and execution discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Manufacturing, or related field; MBA or master's degree preferred.
• Experience in renewable energy, solar trackers, power electronics, electromechanical systems, industrial equipment, automotive, electronics manufacturing, or contract manufacturing.
• Familiarity with Smartsheet, Jira, Power BI, PLM/ERP systems, and portfolio/program dashboards.
• PMP, Lean Six Sigma, APQP/PPAP, or manufacturing quality systems experience preferred.
• Experience leading global programs and suppliers across North America, Europe, India, China/Taiwan, LATAM, or other manufacturing regions.

Pay is based on market location and may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education and other job-related reasons. The annual salary range for this position is $210,000-$230,000. This role is also eligible for bonus and equity as part of the total compensation package.