Manager, Project Controls

Wabtec Corporation is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions and value-added services for freight and transit rail. Drawing on nearly four centuries of collective experience across Wabtec, GE Transportation and Faiveley Transport, the company has unmatched digital expertise, technological innovation, and world-class manufacturing and services, enabling the digital-rail-and-transit ecosystems. Wabtec is focused on performance that drives progress, creating transportation solutions that move and improve the world. Wabtec has approximately 27,000 employees in facilities throughout the world. Visit the company’s new website at: http://www.WabtecCorp.com.

It’s not just about your career… or your job title…it’s about who you are and the impact you are going to make on the world. Do you want to go into uncharted waters…do things that haven’t been done to make yours and someone else's life better? Wabtec has been doing that for decades and we will continue to do so! Through our people, leadership development, services, technology and scale, Wabtec delivers better outcomes for global customers by speaking the language of industry.

Summary:

The Network Optimization Project Controls organization is growing! We are seeking a Project Controls Manager to lead the project controls functional area for a newly acquired Surface Transportation (ST) business. This critical role will be involved in shaping and integrating the existing project controls team into the broader project controls and Network Optimization group and is ultimately responsible for project planning and scheduling, cost estimating and monitoring, progress measurement, risk management, and reporting for the ST business. Cross-functional partnership in and outside of the Professional Services organization Finance, Program Management, Engineering and Operations & Support to achieve the project-level financial plan, schedules, budget, and revenue targets for the month, quarter, and fiscal year. This position will also have responsibility for managing a small team of controllers to achieve the professional services financial goals. This role reports directly to the Network Optimization P&L Project Controls leader.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Services organization including owning controller responsibilities for specific accounts as well as people leader responsibilities for the team that will report to this role

• Identifies and champions process improvements within the Project Control functions, team, and surrounding processes with other cross-functional stakeholders

• Management of the project-level financial accounting and scheduling in Oracle and Clarity

• Support monthly financial close, invoice, and billing process for assigned projects

• Accountable for P&L financial performance to ensure projects meet financial and budget targets

• Develop accurate business forecasts.  Report on the financial past, present and future performance at a project level with a deep understanding of the drivers behind variances

• Ensure compliance with Corporate accounting practices and procedures and internal controls

• Ensure strong project accounting and schedule management of projects

• Own setup and creation of new projects, tasks and sub-tasks to ensure satisfactory realization of project contract requirements as scheduled

• Maintain costs and schedules by working directly with project/program management and engineering to ensure up-to-date

• Understand variances between actuals and forecast on schedules and cost information

• Analyze budget and schedule to identify cost-out opportunities to meet the financial target

• Manage an active register of risks affecting project profit, costs, and schedule with an action plan to mitigate risks 

• Co-own with Project Controller, Project/Program Manager, and Finance Manager to develop and maintain periodic status reports to keep management: GM, P&L Finance Manager, VP Professional Services and Engineering Leaders/Managers, and CFO informed on financial progress

• Lead contract margin reviews as scheduled with Finance Manager and minimize variance from prior to the current review.

• Supervisory Responsibilities

  • Managing a staff of 2-4 employees

  • Monitoring and reviewing the work of staff members, including conducting annual performance reviews

  • Ensuring staff compliance with P&L documented processes, specifically around project controls

  • Participate in hiring and recruitment efforts, including interviews for employees in the project controls team

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications****:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business

• Minimum of seven years of ERP/planning/cost tracking system experience

• Minimum of five years of project controls and/or project accounting experience

• Ability to communicate effectively with cross-functional areas in the business

• Strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills

• Proficient use of excel for financial modeling

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge and experience with Oracle and Clarity.

• Strong communication, and clear thinking skills - effectively evaluates information/data to make decisions, anticipates obstacles and develops plans to resolve, creates actionable strategies and operational financial plans.

• Prior experience managing project and R&D financials and schedules.

• Ability to multi-task with strong organization and task management skills to manage multiple projects, across multiple product lines and multiple time zones.

• Strong commitment to business ethics and integrity.

• Prior people leader experience

• Proven ability to stand up an organization / create successful strategies for a new org

Physical Demands:

• Employee is regularly required to talk and hear.

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.

• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers, including typing on a keyboard

• Assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.

Work Environment:

• The employee will typically work in a temperature-controlled office environment, with frequent exposure to electronic office equipment

• Wabtec works in a hybrid model giving employees the flexibility to work remotely on Monday/Friday and in-office Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday

Relocation assistance is not provided

Wabtec Corporation is committed to taking on the world’s toughest challenges. In order to fulfill that commitment we rely on a culture of leadership, diversity and inclusiveness. We aim to employ the world’s brightest minds to help us create a limitless source of ideas and opportunities. We believe in hiring talented people of varied backgrounds, experiences and styles…people like you! Wabtec Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, or protected Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.