Overview
Director of Program Management (Medical Device Manufactuing) Jobs in Wheeling, IL at Sterling Engineering
Title: Director of Program Management (Medical Device Manufactuing)
Company: Sterling Engineering
Location: Wheeling, IL
Director of Program Management
Greater Chicago Area (relocation available for qualified candidates)
Reports To General Manager
Target Compensation: $180,000-$205,000/year + 20% bonus (up to 40% bonus based on company performance)
Overview
We are seeking a Director of Program Management to lead strategic, client-facing program execution for a high-volume medical device manufacturing operation. This role will serve as the primary executive interface for key customers, ensuring exceptional delivery, long-term partnership growth, and operational excellence.
This leader will oversee cross-functional program management activities across engineering, operations, quality, and supply chain, driving performance from product launch through full-scale production. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in medical device manufacturing, strong business acumen, and a proven ability to lead complex, high-volume programs with a focus on process improvement and customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary executive point of contact for key customers, including Abbott, building strong relationships and ensuring high levels of satisfaction, retention, and growth.
- Lead and develop a team of Program Managers, ensuring alignment to customer goals, operational priorities, and financial targets.
- Drive end-to-end program execution across the product lifecycle, from development and launch through high-volume manufacturing and sustaining activities.
- Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain to ensure seamless program execution and on-time delivery.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for program success, including cost, quality, delivery, and customer satisfaction metrics.
- Champion process improvement initiatives across program management and operations, with a focus on scalability, efficiency, and margin expansion.
- Provide strategic direction in customer engagements, including Quarterly Business Reviews, executive updates, and issue resolution.
- Support business development efforts, including contract negotiations, proposal development, and identification of growth opportunities within existing accounts.
- Ensure successful transitions of new products into manufacturing, with strong coordination across engineering validation, quality systems, and production readiness.
- Develop and implement organizational strategies to attract, retain, and develop high-performing program management talent.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field required; advanced degree (MBA or MS) preferred.
- 7+ years (Grade 29) or 9+ years (Grade 30) of progressive experience in program management, operations, or business leadership within medical device manufacturing.
- Strong experience supporting high-volume manufacturing environments; familiarity with injection molding processes is highly preferred.
- Demonstrated success managing large, complex customer relationships, ideally with major medical device OEMs such as Abbott.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence senior internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience driving process improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent methodologies preferred).
- Strong financial acumen, including program cost management, forecasting, and margin improvement.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and executive presentation skills.
Leadership & Impact
- Drives the long-term strategic direction and operational success of program management functions.
- Influences site-level and potentially multi-site performance, including customer satisfaction, revenue growth, and operational efficiency.
- Acts as a key member of the leadership team, contributing to overall business strategy and execution.
