Leadership Development Program Manager Jobs in Buffalo, NY

Position Overview
As GTI continues to scale production and expand its product portfolio, alignment between Sales, Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Operations, Production Control, and Customers is critical to long-term success. GTI Energy is seeking a Program Manager responsible for overseeing customer programs from order intake through production execution and delivery while maintaining direct ownership of schedule execution, customer communication, operational alignment, and overall program success.

The Program Manager will communicate daily with customers regarding program updates, schedules, engineering changes, forecasts, and execution status while driving accountability internally across cross-functional teams. This role will own one or multiple customer programs and operate as the primary coordination point ensuring all departments execute against customer commitments, production timelines, quality expectations, and financial objectives.

The ideal candidate has strong experience supporting engineered-to-order manufacturing, electro-mechanical systems, modular infrastructure, industrial fabrication, or New Product Introduction (NPI) environments.

Program Ownership & Customer Management
• Own the full book-to-bill process for assigned customer programs and production orders
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customer communication, status updates, execution planning, and issue resolution
• Communicate customer requirements, engineering changes, forecasts, new orders, and operational updates to internal teams
• Build strong customer relationships while ensuring alignment between customer expectations and operational execution
• Maintain ownership and accountability for overall program success, including schedule execution, customer satisfaction, and profitability

Cross-Functional Program Execution
• Drive communication, coordination, and collaboration across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Production Control, Quality, and Operations teams
• Track and report progress of cross-functional teams executing customer programs and production orders
• Hold departments accountable for deliverables, execution timelines, and operational readiness
• Bridge communication gaps between departments to ensure alignment across all phases of execution
• Remove organizational roadblocks impacting customer orders, production schedules, and new product launches

Manufacturing Program Management
• Complete manufacturing projects by organizing and controlling project elements throughout the program lifecycle
• Work directly with other Project Managers, Program Managers, Engineering teams, and factory floor personnel to create manufacturing build plans
• Collaborate with Production Control to develop clear and easy-to-interpret build plans for manufacturing operations
• Coordinate sequencing of production activities, material readiness, and operational priorities
• Ensure every project has a defined quality control plan and manufacturing build strategy

Engineering & Technical Coordination
• Work with Engineering teams to support development of designs based on customer specifications, drawings, and technical requirements
• Interface directly with customer technical teams to support design clarification, scope definition, and issue resolution
• Review product designs, specifications, customer requirements, and performance expectations to support execution planning
• Support technical coordination activities across Engineering, Manufacturing, and Operations teams

Project Planning & Scheduling
• Develop project objectives by reviewing proposals, plans, schedules, and operational constraints with leadership teams
• Determine project schedules by reviewing specifications, calculating time requirements, sequencing project elements, and coordinating operational dependencies
• Drive schedule execution by monitoring project progress, coordinating activities, and resolving execution issues proactively
• Manage scheduling changes, program risks, recovery actions, and execution priorities
• Support phase-gate release processes for all new products within assigned customer portfolios

Capacity Planning & Operational Alignment
• Communicate customer demand forecasts and production requirements to Production Planning and Operations teams
• Ensure manufacturing capacity aligns with current and future customer program demand
• Coordinate labor, production resources, operational priorities, and execution readiness across manufacturing operations
• Support operational planning tied to production ramp activities and customer delivery requirements

Cost Management & Program Performance
• Monitor operational execution, expenditures, and overall program performance
• Support project cost control activities and contractor coordination where applicable
• Maintain visibility into labor, schedule, material, and operational impacts affecting profitability
• Take overall accountability for successful execution of customer orders and program financial performance

Reporting, Metrics & Continuous Improvement
• Prepare project and program status reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing operational data, schedules, risks, and trends
• Provide leadership visibility into KPIs, execution challenges, and recommended corrective actions
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives supporting launch execution, manufacturing readiness, and customer coordination
• Support Root Cause Analysis and corrective action activities tied to program execution issues

Compliance & Operational Discipline
• Maintain compliance with company policies, quality standards, safety procedures, and federal/state regulations
• Maintain organized program documentation, schedules, records, and operational reporting structures
• Contribute to team success by supporting additional operational and program management responsibilities as needed

Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Construction Management, Business, or related discipline
• Experience supporting Engineered-to-Order (ETO) or New Product Introduction (NPI) manufacturing environments
• 5+ years of project or program management experience supporting complex electro-mechanical manufacturing systems
• Experience coordinating cross-functional execution teams within manufacturing or industrial operations
• Strong customer-facing communication and organizational skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and scheduling software
• Experience with CAD systems, 3D modeling, and SolidWorks
• Strong ability to manage multiple complex programs simultaneously in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience supporting medium-to-large manufacturing facilities or industrial production sites
• Experience supporting modular infrastructure, data center systems, BESS platforms, or industrial fabrication operations
• Familiarity with manufacturing build planning, production sequencing, and operational workflows
• Experience operating within contract manufacturing or engineered-to-order production environments preferred

GTI Energy offers a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support employees and their families while providing long-term career growth opportunities within a fast-growing manufacturing organization. Benefits may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match (where applicable)
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Sick time in accordance with state and local requirements
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage
• Career advancement opportunities within a rapidly growing organization
• Exposure to advanced manufacturing, modular infrastructure, and large-scale industrial projects
• Collaborative, fast-paced environment with strong operational and engineering leadership
• Employee-focused culture centered on safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement

Benefits eligibility and offerings may vary based on position, location, and employment classification.