What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Manager - PMO, Strategy & Planning position at HNI Corporation?
HNI Corporation is a global family of brands for the workplace and home dedicated to enhancing the spaces where we live, work, and gather. We pride ourselves on fostering an environment where we make a positive impact on others; upholding our beliefs in integrity, inclusion and belonging.
Your Impact Starts the Day You Do!
What We Need:
We are looking for a Program Manager, PMO (Project Management Office) – Strategy & Planning to join our HNI Workplace Furnishings - Operations team. This position plays a key role within the Program Management Office (PMO), responsible for leading and executing cross-functional initiatives that drive operational performance and efficiency across the enterprise. This individual will leverage Continuous Improvement methodologies and the PMO Playbook—a framework of best practices, tools, and templates—to deliver measurable business impact.
What You Will Do:
- Lead and execute Operational Excellence projects using Lean and PMO best practices.
- Partner with Sr. Program Managers and Functional Leaders to define project scope, goals, milestones, and success criteria.
- Develop and manage project schedules, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery.
- Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and drive accountability within project teams.
- Serve as a change agent to promote a culture of continuous improvement.
- Conduct root cause analysis, identify improvement opportunities, and implement sustainable solutions.
- Provide inputs to dashboards and reporting tools to communicate project progress and health.
- Engage deeply in operational processes to understand challenges and identify value creation opportunities.
- Lead Kaizen and Lean events as appropriate to accelerate results.
What You’re Good At:
- Leading cross-functional teams and driving projects through completion.
- Building strong relationships and fostering collaboration across all levels.
- Communicating clearly and effectively—both written and verbal.
- Managing competing priorities with strong organization and follow-through.
- Applying Lean, Six Sigma, or other Continuous Improvement methods.
- Using data and business insight to guide decision-making.
- Navigating supply chain, logistics, and manufacturing environments.
- Adapting to change, solving problems, and influencing without direct authority.
- Using Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams with proficiency.
Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience:
- 8 years in operations with a focus on project management.
- 5 years applying Lean or Continuous Improvement methodologies (preferred).
- Certifications:
- PMP or equivalent certification preferred.
- Lean or Six Sigma certification a plus.
In-Office Expectations:
- This role will follow our 4-days in office with Friday as a flex day.
- Strong preference for the person to be based in Muscatine, IA, however would be open to this role sitting in our Jasper, IN, Kimball location.
- This role is not hybrid or remote eligible.
- Approx 15% travel between Muscatine and Jasper.