Lead Project Manager, Customer Acceptance

Position Summary

Making the future is everyday life at Samsung. We're seeking innovators who are called to not just change the world, but build a better one. We make the best technology hardware on the planet, but our best is always a prototype for something better and our people thrive with a driven mindset - better builds on better.

Provides Project Management and group coordination for Samsung Networks Engineering Services team supporting Product Acceptance activities for a Customer Account program. Position will perform project management in the Customer Acceptance Program and assure that ES services for customer acceptance on all new releases and products services are ready in advance and performed in complete alignment with overall product introduction program. Position will also be responsible to manage the Multivendor Interoperation Acceptance Program. Position will plan and monitor progress across all product introduction/customer acceptance processes and coordinate efforts with the customer account team, other local support teams, and product delivery team. Will assure that all supporting team members are prepared, have adequate, tools, training, and documentation to deliver the customer acceptance through to GA in accordance with project delivery timelines and requirements. Reporting to customer with continued accountability, leadership, coordination, and communication across all the Samsung Networks groups.
Role and Responsibilities

The Ld. Project Manager will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Lead the Customer Acceptance Projects driving the timelines and meeting Customer expectations for Product Acceptance
• Responsible and accountable for the Acceptance of Project thru GA
• Creates and drives end to end schedule. Plan the project timeline and steps with inputs from the Test Team and SMES while aligning with customer needs.
• Organize both Internal and External Project kick off meetings to go over the schedule, resources, test plans and Project locations.
• Plans and assures proper resources are identified, assigned, and prepared to support
• Tracks and report all changes that occur throughout Customer Lab test and FOA
• Host Daily project calls (internal and external) and publishes daily slides & notes (internal and external)
• Provides frequent updates to impacted teams on status of program.
• Provides risk updates to impacted teams
• Organizes meetings as needed for risk resolutions to ensure program back on schedule
• Works with Technical Leads to assure timely and complete technical answers to the customer.
• PM will assure schedule compliance including tracking down missing deliverables and assuring delivery on time.
• Responsible that the acceptance timelines are met and issues addressed in timely manner. Engage FOA lead as needed to escalate issues.
• Ensures FOA reports are up to date, or drive responsible parties to update.
• Operationalizes handover to downstream operational teams
• Lead the multi-function team, working with the Subject Matter Experts to develop and administer the acceptance steps and timelines for Customer Acceptance through Generally Available status
• Responsible to assure all resources are prepared and available to assure the product acceptance schedules are met
• Monitor, report, and continuously improve the quality and velocity of the product acceptance program.
• Prepare and deliver progress reports on the product acceptance program status for internal teams as well as customer teams.
• Collects, reports, and manages the ES services provided in deployment and migration, communicating status with Samsung Management and customer Operations.
• Administer regular status meetings, leading the calls with members from all regions addressing status and tracking actions, relating to the overall timelines and keeping all members apprised of issues and impacts
• Provide POC to customer for all schedule and delivery items related to the product acceptance program.
• Work with internal groups such as R&D, engineering teams, Product teams, and CAT to facilitate operational issues.
• Takes the lead and assures owners for responses in program Q/A with customer for product acceptance program progress, completion, issues, and resolution plans
• Develop relationships at multiple levels across Samsung Networks including customer account teams, by attending appropriate conference calls, meetings, customer presentations and project reviews.
• Work closely with CAT, TS, and ES SMEs to assure smooth flow of deployment and migration process
• Evaluate project performance for each release and prepare analysis for improvements with the goal of improved efficiency and delivery.
• Organize Lesson learnt sessions at the end of the projects, Implement the learning in the next project based on previous projects proactively.
• Align and assure product acceptance program plan meets the goals and long term strategic plans of SEA Networks Group and aligns with Customer strategic plan.

Skills and Qualifications

Qualifications

• Engineering or CS Degree desired, Bachelor's Degree with 10+ years of experience or Master's Degree with 5+ years of experience in Wireless Networks program management experience
• Knowledge in the RAN, Core, and/or Backhaul areas
• Program Management Experience leading cross functional groups for Product Introduction and Acceptance
• Experience with Network Systems Lab and Field Customer Acceptance
• Experience with supervisor responsibilities
• Experience directing others to satisfy program milestones
• Strong leadership and experience managing cross function teams to achieve Customer Acceptance
• Experience in Commercial Wireless Networks Operations is strongly desired
• Strong technical background in two or more of the following: 4G or 5G RAN Networks
• Experience with measuring process performance and adherence including KPI reporting, trend analysis, and methods of improvement
• The ideal candidate will be a well-organized, proactive, detail-oriented, and process-minded leader, who is comfortable developing staffing, training, and operational plans
• This position requires excellent communication skills as well as presentation and reporting skills.
• Creative problem solving abilities and superb communication skills, both written and verbal are necessary for the successful candidate
• Self-directed individual with ability to manage other resources in a matrix environment across Engineering, Deployment, Support Organizations and Customer organizations.

Necessary Skills/Attributes

• Strong technical understanding of 4G and 5G RAN Networks
• Highly organized with ability to identify and communicate action items and keep track of deliverables to assure compliance with overall product acceptance plan
• Supervising experience leading, directing, and providing feedback to other PMs
• Demonstrated ability to create and manage a product acceptance schedule across customer and internal groups
  • Recognize and promote team strengths
  • Prioritize multiple simultaneous projects to align with customer schedules and priorities
  • Work in a team environment, in order to achieve personal and team project milestones and to complete assignments within established time frames
  • The ability to utilize implied knowledge of task alternatives and to make spontaneous decisions using past experience and the guidance and/or successful experiences of others
• Demonstrated ability to interact at multiple levels within customer's organizations
  • Negotiate with and convince others, in a potentially adversarial environment, including customer directors, managers and staff with opposing views to accept/approve plans, technical and project recommendations
  • Convey professional technical information via formal written documents, presentations, email, or reports to an audience of technically skilled, management and/or operational audiences
• Ability to achieve results within established time frames and requirements
• Ability to adapt in a quickly changing environment and work under stress during incident management
• Ability to prioritize tasks and make necessary adjustments on a daily basis
• Determine and manage to plan resource requirements for program delivery.

Physical/Mental Demands and Working Conditions

• Work is generally performed in an office environment
  • Machines, tools, equipment, and work aids representative and commonly associated with PC's, printers, and office work areas
  • Operate a computer keyboard and view a video display terminal more than 25% of work time, including prolonged periods of time
  • The movement and transportation of equipment, most of the time is under 25 pounds
• Performs work under time schedules and stresses which are normally periodic or cyclical and including: time sensitive job stress, fatigue, unpaid over-time, intellectual challenge, constant technical data feedback, language barriers, and business management stress
  • Frequently works additional hours beyond normal schedule
  • Performs tasks with minimal direct supervision with a high level of visibility and responsibility to the overall success of the migration team
• Willing to work flexible hours, sometimes including nights or weekends
• Travel of up to 10% may be required to other customer locations or Samsung Networks sites as required to discuss business strategies

Location

• Position is located in Plano, Texas

Samsung Electronics America, Inc. is committed to employing a diverse workforce, and provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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* Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and its subsidiaries are committed to employing a diverse workforce, and provide Equal Employment Opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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