Sr Technical Program Manager - Global Applications

The Technical Program Manager will oversee the strategic management of large-scale Global IT Application programs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and driving successful execution across distributed teams. This role demands technical expertise, strategic leadership, and cross-functional coordination, with a particular focus on custom application development initiatives supporting manufacturing, supply chain, or transportation operations.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of planning and executing global enterprise application projects, particularly in custom-built environments, and experience navigating the complexities of business-critical solutions. Strong financial acumen is essential, including the ability to develop business cases, secure funding, manage budgets, forecast spend, and mitigate financial risks.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Program Management

Lead the development and execution of global program strategies aligned with business and IT goals.

Drive delivery of multiple custom-built application projects with interdependencies across geographies, business units, and third-party vendors.

Ensure delivery excellence for applications supporting core operations in manufacturing, supply chain, or transportation.

Leadership and Team Management

Direct, mentor, and empower project managers and cross-functional global delivery teams.

Establish a collaborative and accountable environment fostering continuous improvement and innovation.

Program Execution

Manage full lifecycle execution of IT programs, especially those involving custom software development and system integration in complex operational landscapes.

Drive global consistency across business processes and technical platforms by aligning local needs with central strategies.

Technical Problem Solving

Navigate complex architectural and technical decisions in multi-system environments.

Oversee resolution of integration challenges and system performance issues, especially across logistics, warehouse, or ERP ecosystems.

Stakeholder Engagement

Act as the strategic liaison between IT and key business stakeholders, including global operations and regional leadership.

Provide transparent updates, influence decisions, and align delivery timelines with business objectives.

Budget and Financial Management

Develop business cases and secure project funding through formal review and approval processes.

Manage program budgets and track actuals against approved plans.

Forecast project spend, proactively identifying potential variances and course-correcting where necessary.

Implement controls to mitigate financial risks and avoid cost overruns.

Risk Management

Identify, assess, and proactively manage program-level risks, including technical, operational, and financial.

Establish and enforce risk mitigation strategies and escalation protocols.

Resource Allocation

Balance capacity and skillsets across global teams for optimal delivery outcomes.

Align internal and vendor resources to high-priority initiatives.

Performance Metrics

Define KPIs tied to business outcomes and IT performance.

Drive improvements through measurement and retrospective analysis.

Governance and Compliance

Ensure all program activities meet internal controls, security policies, and industry-specific regulations.

Portfolio Strategy and Execution

Oversee the global IT application portfolio, ensuring prioritization aligns with business goals and operational impact.

Leverage experience in supply chain or transportation system portfolios to make data-driven investment decisions.

Vendor Procurement and Management

Lead vendor evaluation and procurement processes (RFI, RFP, RFQ) for application development, platform services, or system integrators.

Own the end-to-end vendor lifecycle and performance tracking.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.

Minimum 15 years of experience in IT program management, with at least 5–7 years managing global custom application development projects.

Demonstrated success delivering complex, cross-regional programs in manufacturing, supply chain, and/or transportation industries.

Strong understanding of systems such as WMS, TMS, MES, ERP, or custom route optimization platforms.

Proven expertise in vendor negotiation, contracting, and service management.

Hands-on experience in project financials, including business case creation, budget development, financial forecasting, and risk mitigation.

PMP, PgMP, or equivalent certifications preferred.

Experience with Agile, Hybrid, or SAFe methodologies in large enterprise settings.

Key Attributes:

Collaborative Partner: Adept at working across cultures, time zones, and business functions to drive alignment.

Industry-Aligned Technologist: Strong domain understanding of manufacturing, supply chain, or logistics processes and systems.

Financially Savvy: Capable of aligning financial stewardship with strategic delivery goals, ensuring fiscal responsibility.

Analytical Thinker: Ability to translate ambiguous business problems into structured programs and technical roadmaps.

Strategic Vision: Able to define and articulate long-term IT strategies that align with evolving business models.

Leadership and Influence: Trusted advisor capable of guiding stakeholders, resolving conflicts, and driving enterprise-wide consensus.

Results-Driven Communicator: Skilled in conveying technical content to executives and presenting program status with clarity.

Adaptability: Comfortable navigating shifting priorities in fast-paced, global environments.