Sr. Staff Technical Program Manager - Material Flow Engineering

At Rivian, we are on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. To achieve this, we require a robust, scalable, and highly efficient supply chain.

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Sr. Staff Technical Program Managerto lead our critical Supply Chain Transformation initiatives for the entire Material Flow in Rivian . This role sits at the critical intersection of Logistics Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Strategy, Facilities, Logistics, Material Planning, Launch Team etc.

You will take full ownership of the project management lifecycle, driving strategic alignment, resource allocation, and rigorous execution across massive, cross-functional Rivian teams. You will apply a deeply analytical, engineering-first approach to solve complex logistical challenges, ensuring our material flow operations scale seamlessly with our production targets. This role is located at our Normal, IL facility and reports to the Director, Logistics Engineering \& Material Flow Engineering.

As the leader of Project Management for this transformation, your primary expectations will include:

• Strategic Project Leadership: Direct the overarching project management strategy for the Supply Chain Transformation, ensuring alignment with Rivian’s manufacturing goals and broader company milestones.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Act as the primary bridge between Logistics Engineering, Material Flow Engineering, Procurement, and Production. Ensure all teams are synchronized on timelines, deliverables, and dependencies.
• Engineering-Driven Problem Solving: Apply first-principles engineering thinking to supply chain bottlenecks. Translate complex logistical and material flow challenges into structured, executable project plans.
• New Technologies and AI Strategies as main POC to incorporate in our Material Flow Process always looking for the best in the industry.
• Risk \& Change Management: Proactively identify project risks related to facility constraints, supplier lead times, and system implementations. Develop robust contingency plans and lead change management efforts across the plant floor.
• Resource \& Budget Optimization: Oversee capital and operational budgets for transformation projects. Allocate engineering and project management resources effectively to maximize ROI and minimize timeline slippage.
• Performance Tracking \& Analytics: Establish comprehensive KPIs and reporting dashboards for executive visibility. Lead weekly and monthly project reviews with senior leadership, utilizing data to drive decision-making.
• Team Development: Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of project managers and planners. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and engineering excellence.
• Experience: 8\+ years of progressive experience in Project Management, Supply Chain Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, or Logistics.
• Industry Background: Extensive experience in high-volume automotive manufacturing, aerospace, or similarly complex industrial environments is strictly required.
• Engineering Approach: Demonstrated ability to apply engineering methodologies (e.g., Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, process simulation, capacity modeling) to supply chain and material flow problems.
• Leadership Track Record: Proven experience leading large-scale transformation projects ($10M\+ budgets) and managing teams of senior professionals and engineers.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Mechanical Engineering, closely related technical field or equivalent experience.
• Master’s Degree (M.S. in Engineering, Supply Chain, or MBA) is highly preferred.

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Required Skills \& Competencies

• Expertise in advanced project management tools (e.g., Jira, Smartsheet, MS Project, Primavera) and ERP/WMS systems (SAP preferred).
• Deep understanding of material flow automation, line-side delivery strategies, packaging engineering, and inbound logistics.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills; capable of presenting complex data clearly to C-suite executives and translating strategy to floor-level execution.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly dynamic, and ambiguous environment.

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Working Conditions

• This position is based on-site in our Normal, IL plant or Stanton Springs with 50% traveling
• Requires a hands-on approach with a significant presence on the manufacturing floor to evaluate material flow processes directly.