Sr. Manager, Strategic Customer Programs

Woodward L'Orange•Rockford, IL

2d•Remote

About The Position

Drive early program engagement and collaboration with large OEM commercial customers, enabling Woodward to actively participate in technology trade studies, collaborative R&T, support future aircraft architecture decisions that may require our product capability, and best position Woodward to ensure our customer key performance indicators are met for future aircraft. This role bridges the gap between sales and engineering by focusing on technical collaboration rather than transactional processes. It will gather, assess, and synthesize the voice of the OEM customer to identify current and future technical needs, customer expectations, and strategic priorities. The role will translate these insights into actionable internal recommendations that support decisions on technology investment and product strategy, while helping ensure Woodward solutions align with the customer’s lifecycle requirements and business objectives. Position Woodward as a technology extension to the customers’ engineering teams, thought leader, and strategic partner in the aerospace industry.

Requirements

Strategic Planning: Ability to develop and implement strategies that align with organizational goals and drive account growth.
Client Relationship Management: Expertise in building and maintaining strong, long term relationships with key clients to enhance customer loyalty and retention.
Business Acumen: Deep understanding of business operations and market dynamics to anticipate and respond to industry trends and regulatory changes.
Technology Acumen: Deep understanding of large commercial aircraft architectures and existing/emerging technologies
Project Leadership: Skilled in leading complex, high risk projects from conception through execution, ensuring successful outcomes.
Problem Solving: Proficient in identifying and resolving unique, high impact business challenges using conceptual and analytical approaches.
Resource Allocation: Expertise in directing and optimizing resource distribution to maximize efficiency and support strategic initiatives.
Communication: Exceptional ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to senior stakeholders and diverse audiences.
Data Driven Decision Making: Proficient in analyzing sales and market data and metrics to inform strategic decisions and drive business performance.
Cross Functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively across various departments and disciplines to achieve strategic account goals.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience at a large commercial OEM customer, ideally in an engineering, product development or program leadership role
Program/Program Management experience preferred
Deep understanding of large commercial OEM technology development lifecycle

Responsibilities

Collaborate with Woodward and the Customer to build and maintain trusted relationships with key decision-makers, engineering leaders, product development leaders, and program leaders at the customer organization
Collaborate with Woodward Sales & Marketing and act as primary liaison between Woodward and the customer’s engineering and technology teams, influencing customer requirements by demonstrating expertise in airframe control systems
Develop and establish a Technology Interchange framework with the customer to share insights on emerging technologies, trends and mutual interests.
Develop, drive, and communicate tactical plans to facilitate the Technology Interchange framework within the Woodward organization
Organize and facilitate regular external technical discussions, workshops, and collaborative sessions to explore potential technical solutions to customers’ future needs
Identify opportunities to participate in the customer’s engineering trade studies and technology evaluations before Request for Proposals (RFPs) are issued
Provide insights into the customer’s long-term strategies, pain points, and upcoming developments to ensure alignment with Woodward’s capabilities
Collaborate with Woodward Sales & Marketing organization to monitor and report on the customer’s technology roadmaps, funding priorities, and competitive landscape to inform internal strategy.
Act as the voice of the customer within Woodward, ensuring engineering, product marketing, product management, and sales management teams are aligned with the customer’s needs.
Collaborate with Woodward subject matter technical experts to develop tailored solutions for the customer.
Participate in proposal development to ensure key performance criteria previously established are addressed.

Benefits

401(k) match (4.5%)
Annual Woodward stock contribution (5%)
Tuition reimbursement and Training/Professional Development opportunities for all members
12 paid holidays, including floating holidays.
Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance upon date of hire
Vacation / Sick Time / Vacation Buy-up / Short Term Disability / Bereavement leave.
Paid parental leave.
Adoption Assistance
Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits.
Member Life & AD&D / Long Term Disability / Member Optional Life
Member referral bonus
Spouse / Child Optional Life / Optional AD&D / Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending
Voluntary benefits, including: Home / Auto Insurance discounts
Whole Life Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance / Legal Assistance / Military Leave