Project Management Product Development

ADRIAN PARKS

704-***-**** • **********@*****.*** • Huntersville, NC • linkedin.com/in/adrian-parks-17243614/ A tenacious senior program management leader with nearly 20 years of experience, I spearhead high-impact initiatives and craft scalable solutions to maximize efficiency, optimize costs, drive operational excellence, and deliver strong return on investment

(ROI). An out-of-the-box problem-solver with a proven track record in overseeing complex, multi-million-dollar programs, I am passionate about attracting and growing exceptional talent, leading cross-functional teams, designing new and innovative initiatives, and turning complex challenges into actionable strategies that create a lasting impact on business growth and performance improvements.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS Remote

Senior Director of Enterprise Project Management & Product Development 2024 - Present Director of Product Management 2020 - 2024

Enterprise Project Management Responsibilities:

● Established an Enterprise Project Management Office (PMO), consisting of Program Directors, Program Managers, Associate Project Managers, and Change Managers to develop comprehensive tools, methodologies, and governance processes- including a steering committee, training programs, project intake, and escalation protocols-driving organizational alignment.

● Spearheaded enterprise-wide change management program, leveraging industry best practice – PROSCI, to guide strategic initiatives from inception through adoption, ensuring seamless integration, stakeholder alignment, and sustained engagement across all levels of the organization.

● Deliver comprehensive, executive level reporting for IT, Tax, Finance, and Real Estate teams, providing monthly updates on program risk, critical issues, accomplishments, and overall progress against strategic goals.

● Accountable for leading cross-functional strategic initiatives aligned with high-priority objectives on the 5-year enterprise roadmap, ensuring delivery against both short-term goals/KPIs and long term ROI targets. Product Development Responsibilities:

● Leading multiple initiatives to dual-source key products from China to alternative countries, accelerating execution from a 24-month plan to just 10 months in response to tariff impacts, significantly mitigating supply chain and cost risk.

● Spearheaded strategy for a $250M portfolio, delivering systems, processes, and tools to key departments—including Merchandising, Marketing, Inventory, Global Sourcing, Quality, and IT—to drive execution across various product lines. Achieved a significant reduction in speed to market from 24 to 16 months by optimizing budgets, timelines, and reporting processes.

● Responsible for the end-to-end product development life cycle across multiple categories to include Safety, Lighting, Electrical, Air Tools, and OPE from initial concept through in-store execution.

● Cultivated a culture of collaboration and innovation by mentoring a high-performing team of nine, resulting in three team members earning promotions and one receiving the organization's highest internal employee recognition award.

● Collaborate with strategy partners (Branding, Packaging, Merchandising, and Compliance) to establish program priorities and align with business goals and KPIs.

● Pioneered a cross-functional Escalations Governing Board, facilitating weekly discussions with executive leaders to enhance visibility into product risks, delays, and concerns, driving proactive decision-making and mitigating potential challenges.

LOWE’S Mooresville, NC

Project and Program Director 2018 - 2020

● Led $100M portfolio, driving a 60%+ improvement in customer satisfaction within one year by implementing change management methodologies and optimizing communication strategies.

● Managed 12+ high-value projects simultaneously, reducing project timelines by 30% through targeted process improvements and resource allocation strategies and delivering timely results.

● Spearheaded a company-wide returns program, increasing labor efficiency by 40% and improving liquidation rates by 33% through streamlined processes and enhanced team collaboration.

● Unified seven cross-functional teams to implement a Microsoft Dynamics ERP system in the Canadian market, streamlining operations, overseeing budget, and executing significant production efficiency gains of 20%.

● Orchestrated project intake and capacity planning sessions to effectively allocate resources across project management, change management, and process designer resources. SONIC AUTOMOTIVE Charlotte, NC

EPMO Senior Program Manager 2016 - 2018

● Directed cross-functional projects with a focus on SDLC methodology, BOPUS/web development, and IT/operational alignment, delivering seamless integration and alignment across business units.

● Led the successful implementation of CRM, inventory management, and IT security systems, including disaster recovery plans, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery while minimizing project risks.

● Managed project risks, scope, and finances, escalating to the PMO/Steering Committee

● Designed new project and change governance model to proactively communicate project details across six business units and improve engagement across executive level management. METLIFE Charlotte, NC

Senior Project Manager and Process Owner 2014 - 2016

● Oversaw $250M project portfolio, leading weekly communications with senior leadership and the PMO to optimize productivity and ensure continuous alignment with strategic business objectives.

● Developed and executed a future-state process improvement vision, increasing adoption by 33% through effective stakeholder engagement and clear communication of benefits.

● Championed a team of 10 project managers and change agents (18 employees and two contractors), driving strategic collaboration with vendors, cross-functional teams, and IT to optimize workflow and strengthen organizational alignment.

LOWE’S Mooresville, NC

U.S. Home Improvement Program Manager 2012 - 2014

● Aligned executive, project, and stakeholder groups, serving as a strategic liaison between IT and business departments and facilitating trainings and monthly committee meetings to steer key decisions, secure adoption of core systems and processes, and ensure seamless project execution.

● Orchestrated a cross-functional team of business project managers, IT leaders, business process designers, and key stakeholders, driving the training around essential systems and processes.

● Led planning sessions with the PMO, driving organizational capacity and ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery of products through strategic resource management and process optimization.

● Developed new governance models and secure leadership engagement for long-term impact. Supply Chain Senior Project Manager 2011 - 2012

● Initiated strategic projects using PMBOK methodology, driving new product development and continuous improvement initiatives, to elevate supply chain performance.

● Spearheaded the implementation of SAP Cloud ERP Warehouse Management System, integrating change management to ensure a seamless rollout of critical customer-facing initiatives. DOOSAN PORTABLE POWER Statesville, NC

New Product Development Project Manager 2005 - 2011

● Achieved 89% customer satisfaction rating while running end-to-end customer-facing processes, from order entry to customer delivery, for outdoor power equipment (OPE) customers.

● Managed high-priority global process improvement project and coached 100+ team members on process methodologies to maintain operation efficiency.

EDUCATION

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY Greensboro, NC Master of Science in Manufacturing Engineering 2003 Bachelor of Industrial Technology 2001

● Captain of football team and head leader of intern program (2000-2002) SKILLS & LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

● Certifications and methodologies: Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt (DMAIC), Agile and Scrum Methodologies (Certified Scrum Master), SDLC/PMBOK, Connor Partners Change Management Methodology

● Product and project management tools: Jira, Microsoft Project, Monday.com, Asana, Trello, Clarity, Prod Pad

● Software and specialized skills: Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft SharePoint, Quality Center, UX (UX) Research, Customer Journey Mapping

● Volunteer experience: regularly volunteer with local food bank and coach various sports programs and provide athletic training for football and basketball players.

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