Senior Project Manager BA IAM

About the Role Senior Project Manager BA IAM leads strategic Operations projects across all IAM manufacturing plants in the Americas, overseeing a portfolio exceeding €120 million and driving CIP, performance improvements, and footprint/automation investments aligned to BA Operations strategy. The role reports to the CEO and provides executive leadership with functional management across the Americas. What You'll Do

• Plan, coordinate, govern, and monitor strategically relevant Operations projects across IAM plants in the Americas.
• Oversee performance improvement initiatives, cost optimization programs, and capital investments per BA Operations strategy.
• Manage the annual BA Operations investment portfolio (>€120M) and support CIP and operational excellence initiatives.
• Drive project portfolio execution: maintain a transparent project view after eCR approval; monitor timing, financial performance, risks, and mitigation; track PCA-phase financials; lead selected projects from eCR through SoP.
• Align project management tools and standards with CT Sector requirements; coordinate training for plant project leaders; act as escalation point for delays and risks; coordinate structured problem-solving.
• Champion Quality and Safety: role model quality and safety, drive customer satisfaction, ensure deliverable quality, and promote Zero Defects/Zero Incidents/Zero Accidents.
• Promote Sustainability: align with Continental sustainability strategy and ensure compliance with CT sustainability standards.
• Travel 20-30% annually; location in Fairlawn, OH or other CT locations in the US; relocation within the US possible. What We're Looking For
• Required competencies: project management methodologies/tools/techniques; financial analysis/investment evaluation/business case principles; strong leadership for transformational projects; structured problem-solving; teamwork, conflict resolution, networking, facilitation, negotiation.
• Advanced competencies: management systems/performance management, Quality Management systems, Lean Manufacturing and CBS, product functionality knowledge, manufacturing technologies and processes.
• Language: English proficiency.
• Education/Certification: Bachelor's in Mechanical/Electrical/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering or related; Master's in Engineering, MBA and/or PMP strongly preferred.
• Experience: minimum 5 years in project management in manufacturing; 10+ years preferred; cross-functional leadership; capital investment planning/execution; manufacturing performance/cost optimization; experience in industrialization/capacity expansion/equipment automation/ramp-up; rubber/plastics experience preferred; lifecycle management from business case to SoP and post-launch; leadership in manufacturing/technical; global/virtual teams; intercultural experience; fluent English. Nice to Have
• International/global experience; ability to influence leadership; cross-functional stakeholder management without direct authority; rubber/plastics manufacturing exposure; sustainability program familiarity; PMP/MBA preferred.