Strategic Program Manager

Founded in 1983, Kele Inc. is a leading distribution, and solutions partner with national reach and a global presence. Built around our customers and powered by our people, Kele provides millions of in-stock parts from more than 300 brands to drive automation & efficiency in nearly every type of facility, from office towers and factories to data centers and hospitals.

Our goal is to empower progress for maintenance managers, engineers, contractors, and all those building the future. We do this by delivering parts rapidly, providing custom assemblies upstream, and offering unmatched support to ensure projects run smoothly and downtime is minimized.

With 12 locations nationwide and headquarters in Tennessee, Kele combines deep technical expertise, rapid logistics, and a solutions-first mindset to help customers simplify supply chains, meet tight schedules, and deliver high-quality outcomes.

Kele fosters a culture rooted in collaboration, innovation, and customer obsession, empowering associates at every level to contribute, grow, and make a meaningful impact.

We are currently hiring for the role of Strategic Program Manager.
 
 

SUMMARY  

 The Strategic Program Manager owns execution of Kele's most complex and highest-value customer programs, beginning with our data center programs with end users. A traditional project manager who tracks tasks and checks boxes will not work here. The environment is dynamic and the person needs to map out the program, build the plan, and then drive the organization to deliver it.

This role reports to the EVP of Strategy & Transformation. The Strategic Program Manager works with the commercial owners of the customer relationships to define what needs to get done, then owns turning those commitments into a real plan and driving delivery across sales, engineering, procurement, manufacturers, panel builds, and customer approvals. It is part planning and part hands-on: figure out what each program requires, then lead the day-to-day work to make it happen.

The right person has a track record of driving outcomes, not just flagging problems. They are organized and credible, they hold people accountable across teams they do not manage, and they are polished enough to sit in front of a customer and speak to where execution stands.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

 Program Strategy & Planning

• Map out the strategy for Kele's data center programs end to end: what has to happen, in what order, and where the critical path and the real risks sit across the delivery chain.
• Partner with the commercial owners of the end-user relationships to define what Kele commits to, bringing the execution and deliverability lens so commitments are grounded and achievable.
• Be in the room when programs get scoped, testing whether commitments are feasible as they are made rather than reacting to them later.
• Build and own the program plan: sequenced work, named owners, real dates, and mapped dependencies. The plan is the single source of truth for what happens when.

Execution & Accountability

• Drive execution of the plan across cross-functional teams, organizing the work, clearing blockers, and keeping momentum on the critical path.
• Hold owners accountable to their commitments and timelines through consistent follow-through and clear visibility, escalating to leadership when execution risk cannot be resolved at the working level.
• Manage dependencies and change proactively, catching slippage weeks early and bringing a recommended path forward rather than just a flag.
• Maintain program documentation, including the plan, decision and commitment records, and status, so each program is protected in scope and timeline disputes and can run without verbal handoffs.

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Keep the commercial owners informed on anything that touches their end-user relationships, supporting rather than replacing their ownership of the account.
• Represent execution status credibly in read-outs with end users, walking the customer through what is on track, what is at risk, and the plan to address it.
• Provide regular, clear updates to Kele leadership on program status, milestones, risks, and outcomes.

Required Qualifications:

• Roughly 8+ years in construction project management, having run large commercial, institutional, or mission-critical projects end to end. Comparable experience in building automation, HVAC or M&E, or systems integration will also be considered.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, business administration, supply chain management, project management, or a related field required.
• Demonstrated track record of driving complex projects to completion on deadline.
• Strong planning and execution skills, with the ability to build a plan from ambiguity and then drive it.
• Proven ability to hold people accountable and drive cross-functional teams and outside parties without direct authority.
• Highly detail oriented, with disciplined documentation, scope control, and follow-through.
• Proficiency with Jira or equivalent software tool for project and program management.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Customer-facing presence sufficient to represent programs credibly to major end-user accounts.
• Comfort working across technical, commercial, and operational functions.

Preferred:

• Familiarity with data center construction or delivery environments.
• Working knowledge of HVAC and building automation systems.

Kele Companies offers all full-time associates the following benefits and perks:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance ​
• HSA
• FSA (medical and dependent care)
• 401(k) with employer match up to 4% with immediate vesting
• Employer-paid short- and long-term disability coverage
• Employer-paid basic life and AD&D insurance; supplemental life for employees and dependents available
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement