Manager – Programs, Projects & Product Cost Competitiveness
Strömsholmen Aktiebolag · Tranås · Tills vidare · Deadline 2026-11-22
Strömsholmen Aktiebolag is seeking a **Manager – Programs, Projects & Product Cost Competitiveness** to lead, coach, and develop a team of five Program and Project Managers. This position oversees key development, industrialization, and transformation initiatives, translating business strategies into prioritized roadmaps with robust governance. A core focus involves establishing and driving a structured **Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VAVE)** agenda to reduce product and manufacturing costs while preserving quality and customer value. Alongside people management and cross-functional leadership across engineering, operations, purchasing, quality, sales, and finance, the role requires personal, hands-on execution of selected complex initiatives and transformation programs. Applicants must have several years of experience in program or project management, engineering, operations, or a related industrial setting, combined with proven success in leading complex cross-functional initiatives. Essential qualifications include **people management experience**, strong knowledge of project management methodologies, and practical familiarity with VAVE, Design-to-Cost, or equivalent cost-reduction initiatives. Solid financial and business understanding is required, along with fluency in both Swedish and English. Preferred qualifications include an engineering or technical university degree, manufacturing background, experience with product development and Lean principles, project management certifications, and familiarity with ERP, PLM, or MES systems.
Manager – Programs, Projects & Product Cost Competitiveness
About the role
We are looking for an experienced and business-oriented Manager – Programs, Projects & Product Cost Competitiveness to lead and develop a team of five Program and Project Managers.
This role combines people leadership, program execution, and cost competitiveness. You will ensure that key development, industrialization, improvement, and transformation initiatives are delivered with clear ownership, strong execution, and measurable business impact.
A central part of the role is driving our Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VAVE) agenda, identifying and implementing opportunities to reduce product and manufacturing costs while maintaining or improving quality, reliability, and customer value.
You will work closely with Engineering, Operations, Purchasing, Quality, Sales, and Finance to turn business priorities into successful programs and projects.
Key responsibilities
Lead the Program & Project Management organization
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of five Program and Project Managers.
- Establish effective ways of working, governance, and project management standards.
- Ensure projects are prioritized, resourced, and executed according to business needs.
- Support teams in managing risks, resolving issues, and improving project performance.
- Drive a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.
Program Management & Strategic Execution
- Translate business strategy into executable programs and projects.
- Maintain program and project roadmaps and manage priorities and dependencies.
- Ensure projects are aligned with strategic and financial objectives.
- Monitor progress, risks, resources, costs, and expected benefits.
- Provide transparent reporting and facilitate timely decision-making.
Drive VAVE & Cost Competitiveness
- Establish and lead a structured VAVE process across products and manufacturing.
- Identify and prioritize cost-reduction opportunities with measurable business impact.
- Lead cross-functional workshops and initiatives involving Engineering, Operations, Purchasing, Quality, and Finance.
- Drive Design-to-Cost and Design-for-Manufacturing activities.
- Build and maintain a pipeline of cost-saving initiatives and ensure benefits are tracked and realized.
- Verify savings together with Finance while safeguarding quality, reliability, and customer requirements.
Cross-functional Leadership
- Build strong collaboration across functions.
- Drive fact-based decision-making and root-cause problem solving.
- Challenge existing solutions and encourage continuous improvement.
- Ensure focus on speed, simplicity, and execution.
Hands-on Leadership
While primarily a leadership role, you will also take personal ownership of selected strategic and complex initiatives, including major transformation programs and critical VAVE projects.
Leadership expectations
We are looking for a leader who:
- Takes ownership and delivers results.
- Creates momentum and drives execution.
- Makes decisions based on facts and business priorities.
- Holds teams accountable while building trust and engagement.
- Communicates clearly and effectively across the organization.
- Leads through influence and develops people and capabilities.
Success in the role requires the ability to combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
Qualifications
Required
- Several years of experience in Program Management, Project Management, Engineering, Operations, or a related industrial environment.
- Proven track record of leading complex cross-functional initiatives.
- Experience managing and developing people.
- Strong knowledge of project and program management methodologies.
- Experience with cost-reduction, VAVE, Design-to-Cost, or similar initiatives.
- Strong business and financial understanding.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Fluent in Swedish and English.
Preferred
- Experience from manufacturing industries.
- Engineering or technical university degree.
- Experience with product development and industrialization.
- Knowledge of Lean, continuous improvement, or operational excellence.
- Experience with manufacturing processes and Design for Manufacturing/Assembly.
- Familiarity with ERP, PLM, MES, or project management systems.
- Project or Program Management certification.
Personal profile
You combine strong leadership capability, technical understanding, and business acumen. You are:
- Results-oriented and structured.
- Hands-on and action-focused.
- Commercially minded and analytical.
- Collaborative and influential.
- Confident in challenging the status quo.
- Decisive and comfortable driving change.
Most importantly, you have a strong ownership mentality and are motivated by turning opportunities into measurable business results.
Our mission
Lead people, programs, and projects that transform business priorities into measurable results while continuously improving the competitiveness and profitability of our products and operations through VAVE.