We are looking for a Senior Project Manager – Product Performance!

Are you a driving force within performance improvement and product profitability looking to step into a high-impact transformation role? On behalf of our global industrial client, Academic Work is looking for a Senior Project Manager to lead the realization phase of a major cross-functional profitability project. Here, you will take full ownership of moving strategic analyses into real bottom-line implementation across the entire value chain. Apply today as selection is ongoing!

About the role

Our client is a well-established global industrial organization currently executing a BU-wide strategy to drive sustainable profitability and ROS% improvement across key product portfolios. The project covers the full product value chain, ranging from initial product design, R&D, and engineering to sourcing, production, sales, delivery, and service. To lead this critical transition into tangible results, Academic Work is recruiting a Senior Project Manager who will join the Strategy Office and drive implementation across the business.

In this role, you will take over leadership of an ongoing performance project during December and January through a structured handover. Your primary task is to convert existing improvement plans into an integrated, cross-functional realization plan with confirmed initiative ownership, clear milestones, and validated financial outcomes. You will work at the intersection of technical execution and financial metrics, ensuring that every operational action directly reflects on the P&L while protecting quality, compliance, and customer value. In your daily work, you will collaborate with key cross-functional stakeholders—including R&D, Sourcing, Operations, Supply Chain, Product Management, Finance, and Sales—while reporting directly to the Head of Strategy Office and steering committee executive sponsors.

This is initially a one-year consulting assignment to cover a parental leave, with a possibility of extension.

You are offered

You will have the unique opportunity to lead high-impact strategic initiatives, mentor junior team members, and collaborate with senior global stakeholders.

Work tasks

• Complete a structured handover with the current project lead.
• Review the project baseline, root causes, decisions, initiatives, and expected benefits.
• Convert the existing improvement plan into an integrated realisation plan.
• Confirm clear ownership, resources, milestones, and dependencies.
• Drive cross-functional implementation and remove barriers to progress.
• Maintain the connection between technical actions and financial outcomes.
• Track forecast, implemented, and realised benefits together with Finance.
• Keep the Steering Committee informed and escalate decisions when required.
• Protect quality, delivery, compliance, and customer value during implementation.
• Ensure sustainable ownership in the line organisation and capture lessons learned.

We are looking for

• Strong experience in performance improvement, turnaround, or transformation projects.
• Proven ability to move projects from analysis into implementation and benefit realisation.
• Good understanding of P&L, margin, ROS, and product costing.
• Experience working across engineering, sourcing, production, and commercial functions.
• Structured, persistent, fact-based, and comfortable challenging stakeholders.
• Experience from a global industrial organisation is preferred.
• Fluent in English.

It is meritorious if you have

• Prior experience working in an international or cross-border team environment.

To succeed in the role, your personal skills are:

• Supportive
• Goal oriented
• Orderly
• Stable
• Responsible

Our recruitment process

This recruitment process is handled by Academic Work and it is our client’s wish that all questions regarding the position is directed to Academic Work.

Our selection process is continuous and the advert may close before the recruitment process is completed if we have moved forward to the next phase. The process includes two tests: one personality test and one cognitive test. The tests are tools to find the right talent for the right position, to enable equality, diversity, and a fair process.