Senior Strategic Project Manager - Manufacturing

Champaign

**Senior Strategic Project Manager -- Manufacturing** **$195K-$225K Base Bonus Potential** **Champaign, IL Area \| Relocation Available** *"Join a growing PE-backed manufacturer and lead high-impact projects across operations, engineering, product commercialization and business growth."* **Quick Fit Check -- current Senior Manager - Ready for a Director role** • 10-20 years in manufacturing or industrial environments • Experience leading cross-functional strategic initiatives • Exposure to commercialization, NPI, or growth-focused projects • Comfortable working directly with executive leadership *If these align with your background, we'd welcome your application and the opportunity to talk.* High-visibility leadership role partnering with the executive team to drive growth. Ideal for a hands-on manufacturing leader who has built a career leading cross-functional projects inside manufacturing organizations and wants broader influence on company growth, customer strategy, and business performance. **Key Responsibilities** * Lead high-impact projects that improve revenue growth, profitability, operational performance and customer success * Drive product launches, market expansion and strategic customer programs * Partner with Sales, Engineering, and Operations to improve revenue growth and profitability * Improve business processes, execution, visibility, and decision-making across the organization * Evaluate new markets, strategic partnerships, channel opportunities, and commercial expansion initiatives * Lead enterprise projects that improve business performance and competitive position * Implement systems, technology, and AI-enabled tools that improve visibility, decision-making, and execution * Provide data-driven recommendations and progress updates directly to executive leadership **What We're Looking For** * 10-20 years of progressive leadership experience within manufacturing, industrial, engineered products, or related industries * Background leading strategic projects involving commercialization, growth initiatives, product launches, operations improvement, or business transformation * Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, engineering, supply chain, and commercial business drivers * Experience working directly with sales teams, customers, channel partners, or go-to-market initiatives * Proven ability to influence across functions and drive results without relying on direct authority * Builder mentality with a track record of execution, accountability, and measurable impact Location or Relocation to: Central Illinois - 2 hours South of Chicago Permanent US work authorization required **Why This Opportunity** * Growing PE-backed manufacturer with strong market position * Opportunity to influence company growth and performance, working with executive team \& CEO * Broad exposure across operations, engineering, commercialization, strategic business initiatives * Opportunity to help shape the future of a growing manufacturing organization This is not a traditional sales leadership position and it's not a corporate strategy role. It's a hands-on business leadership opportunity for someone who enjoys driving growth, leading critical initiatives, and making things happen across the organization.