Sr Manager Project Transitions

Who are we?

At Vertiv, we’re on a mission to empower the people that will power the future. From a simple swipe to life-changing medicines, from push notifications to generative AI. We design, manufacture, and service the products and solutions that keep the world connected.  With $6.9 billion in sales, a strong customer base and global reach spanning nearly 70 countries, we are uniquely positioned to deliver greater value to our customers and create new opportunities for our people. 

 

We are currently seeking a Sr Manager Project Transitions to join our dynamic team in Piove di Sacco (PD), Italy!

Additional locations considered: Nové Město, Slovakia; Rugvica, Croatia; Cluj, Romania. 

The Sr Manager, Projects & Transitions is a hands-on project leadership role responsible for managing the end-to-end execution of complex operational transitions across the EMEA manufacturing network. This includes make-to-buy transfers, buy-to-make insourcing projects, large-scale footprint changes (site expansions, line transfers, new site stand-ups), and the operational integration of acquired businesses. The role ensures that strategic decisions made at the leadership level are translated into well-managed, on-time, on-budget project execution with zero disruption to customer supply.

 

What kind of work will you be doing?

Make-to-Buy Transitions (Outsourcing)

• Lead the operational execution of make-to-buy transfers, from supplier qualification through production ramp-up and internal line decommissioning
• Develop detailed transition plans including timelines, risk mitigation, inventory build strategies, and customer communication
• Coordinate with Procurement, Quality, Engineering, and Plant teams to ensure seamless handover to external suppliers
• Manage dual-source periods and establish clear go/no-go criteria for full cutover
• Track and report financial realization vs. business case assumptions

Buy-to-Make Transitions (Insourcing)

• Manage insourcing projects end-to-end: equipment specification, facility preparation, process validation, workforce training, and production ramp-up
• Develop capacity models and resource plans to support internal manufacturing readiness
• Coordinate with Manufacturing Engineering on process development, tooling, and automation requirements
• Ensure regulatory and quality system compliance for newly insourced products/processes

Large-Scale Footprint Projects

• Lead complex footprint projects including production line transfers between sites, capacity expansions, site consolidations, and new facility stand-ups
• Develop and manage integrated project plans with clear milestones, dependencies, and critical path management
• Manage CapEx execution within approved budgets and timelines
• Coordinate cross-functional workstreams (facilities, engineering, HR, IT, quality, supply chain) to deliver on schedule
• Ensure business continuity and customer supply protection throughout transitions

Acquisition Integration (Operations)

• Serve as the Operations integration project manager for acquired businesses
• Develop and execute 100-day integration plans covering manufacturing, quality systems, supply chain, IT, and workforce integration
• Lead synergy capture tracking — ensuring committed operational synergies are realized on schedule
• Manage cultural integration and change management at acquired sites
• Establish standard operating procedures and align acquired operations to company standards

Project Governance & Reporting

• Maintain a consolidated portfolio view of all active transitions and projects
• Establish and run project governance cadences (steering committees, milestone reviews, risk escalations)
• Provide regular status reporting to the Senior Director, EMEA Operations Strategy and VP Operations
• Develop and maintain standardized project management methodologies, templates, and playbooks for repeatable transitions
• Capture lessons learned and continuously improve transition execution capability

 

What will make you successful? 

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing/operations, with at least 5 years managing complex cross-functional projects
• Proven track record of delivering make/buy transitions or production transfers in a multi-site manufacturing environment
• Strong project management skills — formal PMP or Prince2 certification preferred
• Experience managing CapEx projects ($1M–$20M+ range)
• Excellent stakeholder management skills — ability to influence without authority across functions and sites
• Strong analytical skills including timeline/resource planning, risk management, and financial tracking
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and managing multiple concurrent projects
• Fluency in English; additional European languages a strong plus
• Willingness to travel up to 50% across EMEA

Preferred:

• Experience in post-merger integration from an operations perspective
• Background in industrial manufacturing, medical devices, or engineered products
• Lean/Six Sigma certification (Green Belt minimum, Black Belt preferred)
• Experience with ERP system migrations and IT/OT integration during transitions
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements for manufacturing transfers (e.g., FDA, MDR, ISO 13485)

 

If YOU are the person we are looking for, feel free to apply and let's start drafting your future career in a healthy and growing environment!

The successful candidate will embrace Vertiv’s Core Principals & Behaviors to help execute our Strategic Priorities.  

OUR CORE PRINCIPALS: Safety.  Integrity. Respect.  Teamwork.  Diversity & Inclusion.

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

• Customer Focus
• Operational Excellence
• High-Performance Culture
• Innovation
• Financial Strength

 OUR BEHAVIORS

 

• Own It
• Act With Urgency
• Foster a Customer-First Mindset
• Think Big and Execute
• Lead by Example
• Drive Continuous Improvement
• Learn and Seek Out Development

 

The anticipated salary range for this role in Piove di Sacco, (PD) is between 65.000€ to 85.000€ gross per year (based on a full-time working week). Certain roles may be eligible for variable compensation and benefits. Where applicable, a comprehensive overview of the full benefits package and any additional compensation will be provided during the recruitment process in accordance with local legal requirements. Compensation is determined based on objective, gender-neutral criteria, including skills, experience, and job responsibilities.

The applicable National Collective Bargaining Agreement (CCNL) for this role is Metalmeccanico Industria.

Vertiv is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We promote equal opportunities for all with respect to hiring, terms of employment, mobility, training, compensation, and occupational health, without discrimination as to age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression (including transgender status or sexual stereotypes), genetic information, citizenship status, national origin, protected veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. If you have a disability and are having difficulty accessing or using this website to apply for a position, you can request help by sending an email to [email protected]. If you are interested in applying or learning more about this role, please visit the company’s career page located on Vertiv.com/Careers

 

#LI-DP1