Senior Program Manager, Operations Strategy

Vertiv • Milano, TX

3d • €67,898 - €84,872

About The Position

Vertiv is seeking a Senior Program Manager, Operations Strategy, to join its team in Milano, Italy. The role plans, directs, and coordinates execution of Vertiv’s global operations strategic roadmap and cross-functional initiatives that advance operational excellence across regions. It serves as the central program management authority for strategy deployment, ensuring objectives cascade from the X-Matrix through regional and functional execution with governance, milestone tracking, and cross-regional alignment.

Reporting to the VP, Operations Strategic Planning & Governance, the role owns the lifecycle of strategic operations initiatives, from supporting strategy formulation through execution coordination and benefits realization. It partners closely with the VOS organization to embed Lean methodology, Hoshin Kanri strategy deployment, and continuous improvement into how initiatives are planned, executed, and sustained. The role aligns its work with Vertiv’s strategic priorities: Customer Focus, Operational Excellence, High Performance Culture, Innovation, and Financial Strength.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of progressive program management experience supporting Manufacturing Operations, including managing strategic initiative portfolios in global, matrixed organizations.
• Global-scope experience coordinating programs across multiple regions in a matrixed manufacturing environment with 30+ plants.
• Strong understanding of Hoshin Kanri, X-Matrix, and Breakthrough Objectives, with the ability to translate strategy into executable program plans.
• Ability to achieve cross-functional and cross-regional alignment through influence without direct authority.
• Proficiency with project management methodologies and MS Project, Smartsheet, Power BI, PowerPoint, and Agentic AI.
• Ability to communicate complex program status to senior leaders through executive-ready communications.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage 10+ concurrent strategic initiatives.
• Cross-functional collaboration skills across Engineering, Finance, Procurement, Sales, IT, and Plant Operations.
• Change-agent mindset, including initiating action, overcoming obstacles, and driving programs through completion.
• Experience with Hoshin Kanri/X-Matrix strategy deployment, including facilitating strategy sessions and cascading workshops.
• AI literacy and ability to use AI tools for project analytics, scenario modeling, and reporting automation.
• Risk management and scenario-planning experience in global manufacturing contexts.

Nice To Haves

• PMP certification; required within 12 months if not held at hire.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Experience in organizations with $5B+ revenue and 30+ manufacturing plants.
• Deep knowledge of Lean Operating Systems and their deployment at scale.
• Experience supporting VOS or an equivalent operating system certification and maturity assessment program.
• Understanding of Tier Accountability systems, 5S/Visual Management, and Continuous Improvement governance.

Responsibilities

• Manage the program execution of Vertiv’s 3–5 year Global Operations Roadmap, ensuring initiatives progress on schedule, within budget, and deliver intended outcomes.
• Maintain visibility across the strategic initiative portfolio through standardized tracking, milestone management, risk registers, and executive reporting.
• Coordinate execution of Breakthrough Objectives across strategic pillars and support annual strategy deployment, including X-Matrix development, Hoshin Kanri cascading, and Operations QBR updates.
• Manage project planning, milestones, scope, resource forecasting, finances, and change across the initiative portfolio.
• Improve the information used to guide strategic decisions through external benchmarking, identification of industry practices, and adoption planning.
• Engage stakeholders on program status, constraint resolution, and strategic decision support.
• Coordinate and synchronize initiatives across five operating regions and global functions; standardize global program management practices, governance, reporting, milestones, and escalations.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and regional X-Matrix alignment, facilitate communication between regional and global leaders, and support cross-site sharing of best practices and lessons learned.
• Support transactional complexity reduction and provide program management for new systems deployments and enhancements.
• Partner with the VP VOS and Global VOS Governance Team to embed VOS methodology, Lean thinking, waste elimination, and performance management in strategic initiatives.
• Coordinate VOS deployment programs, including certification roadmaps, site maturity assessments, and exit criteria.
• Drive Hoshin Kanri discipline, connecting breakthrough objectives to annual objectives, initiatives, measurable targets, and clear ownership.
• Coordinate governance connecting VOS tools to strategy execution, including Tier Accountability, 5S/Visual Management, and Continuous Improvement activities.
• Ensure initiatives incorporate standardization, visual management, root cause analysis, rapid problem solving, cycle-time improvement, and efficiency.
• Monitor strategy deployment, KPIs, and initiatives to connect strategic objectives with daily execution and close gaps between plans and results.
• Support a Culture of Quality and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Support the Global Operations Scorecard and reflect strategic initiative outcomes in KPIs.
• Establish and maintain monthly steering committees, quarterly executive reviews, and annual strategy refresh cycles.
• Prepare executive-ready reporting and presentations for VP Operations Strategy, EVP Operations, and C-suite audiences.
• Manage portfolio risks and contingency planning, including scenario planning for geopolitical risk, trade barriers, and supply chain resilience.
• Collaborate with senior management and project teams on project initiation, requirements, documentation, and implementation.

Benefits

• Variable compensation may be available for eligible roles.
• Benefits may be available; a comprehensive overview will be provided during recruitment where applicable.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior