Program Manager

The Program Manager is responsible for the successful delivery of strategic programs that can span multiple business units and/or organizations. The Program Manager is accountable for ensuring that the associated projects are properly executed according to the guidelines indicated in the Grainger Project Management Methodology.

The Program Manager provides direction, guidance, and oversight to Project Managers and/or cross-functional teams assigned to the support projects of the program. Their main focus is to maintain strategic alignment between the program, associated projects, and the applicable organizational and/or corporate objectives.

Provides overall leadership of all participants on a given program. Acts as front-line contact with the program sponsor(s) on project related issues, responding to concerns with clear and concise feedback.

Directs the determination of program scope, resource requirements, skill requirements, project milestones, budgets, and risks per Grainger standard methods and practices.

Monitors and documents program status; anticipates problems and resolves them or escalates them to the appropriate level of management for resolution in order to ensure proper program completion within schedule and budget constraints.

Participates in the business case process for solutions that are related to or will impact program objectives.

Identifies and removes barriers that may impede successful completion of the program. Also acts as an escalation point for project managers working on supporting projects.

Manages communications amongst project teams, functional departments, business sponsor(s), and the supporting project office(s).

Coordinates program closeout and transfer of ownership activities for program deliverables upon formal acceptance by program sponsor(s).

Works with Program Director(s) and the Project Control Office(s) to refine and enhance project planning, executing, and controlling methodologies and processes.

Champions project management as a discipline, contributing to development of project management standards & policies.

5 to 10 years experience with project management concepts and practices.
Minimum of 5 years experience managing large, complex technology projects.
Expert knowledge of PMI's project management body of knowledge (PMBOK).
Completion of an industry recognized Project Management Training Curriculum (ESI, Systemation)

Proficient with group facilitation, interviewing, and conflict management techniques.
Expert with financial and earned value analysis concepts, tools, and techniques
Expert with Critical Path Diagramming & PERT Analysis concepts, tools, and techniques.
Excellent written, verbal, and electronic communication skills. The incumbent must have the ability to accurately obtain, interpret, and transcribe a variety of communications and instructions
Accomplished with Microsoft Project.
Proficient with version control and change management processes, policies, and principles.
Proficient with customer relationship management concepts, tools, and techniques
Accomplished with process mapping, analysis, and re-engineering concepts, tools, and techniques.
Minimum of 5 years of SAP project management experience.




Grainger is a Fortune 500 company and the leading broad line supplier of facilities maintenance products serving businesses and institutions throughout North America with sales of over $5 billion. Through its network of nearly 600 branches, large distribution network and multiple Web sites, Grainger helps customers save time and money by providing them with the right products to keep their facilities running.
REQUIREMENTS
Please see Job Description