Program Manager

Job Title: Program Manager (Electrical Distribution)

Location: Columbus, OH

Schedule: Monday-Friday (On-site)

Travel: 25% (Locally-based)

Pay: $155,000 - $175,000

Duration: Direct Hire

This client is seeking an experienced Program Manager with a strong background in electrical power distribution to lead complex projects from order entry through final delivery. This role will serve as a key liaison between customers and internal teams while driving project schedules, technical coordination, financial performance, quality, and on-time execution.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years of relevant experience, strong knowledge of electrical power distribution equipment, and experience managing projects within an engineered-to-order or manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead projects from order entry through product startup, turnover, and final delivery.
• Develop and manage project plans and schedules while proactively identifying bottlenecks and opportunities to improve execution.
• Lead cross-functional teams across Sales, Engineering, Production, and Quality, including design reviews and project status meetings.
• Serve as the primary program liaison for customers, managing specifications, sales orders, project updates, feedback, and issue resolution.
• Manage vendors and subcontractors, including component requirements, lead times, quality, and delivery schedules.
• Own project budgets and financial reporting while identifying opportunities to improve margins and profitability.
• Coordinate factory inspections, quality activities, FATs, and customer-witnessed testing.
• Manage project documentation, including schedules, submittals, manuals, and technical data packages.
• Coordinate final logistics and site-delivery requirements.
• Travel to customer and supplier sites as needed, with periods of 50%+ travel per month.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant professional experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, or a related technical field.
• Strong knowledge of electrical power distribution equipment required.
• Experience managing projects in an engineered-to-order, manufacturing, or similar technical environment preferred.
• Experience using ERP systems and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Understanding of UL, NEC, and applicable industry standards preferred.
• Experience coordinating FATs, field testing, commissioning, or customer inspections preferred.
• PMP certification or formal project management training is a plus.
• Strong customer-facing, communication, analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining strong attention to detail and project documentation.
• Ability to pass required background and drug screening.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively to customer and supplier locations.