Date: Aug 15, 2026
Location: Smyrna, TN (Tennessee), US
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Company: franke
About Franke
We, the Franke company with its three divisions, are a world's leading supplier of products and services for domestic kitchens, the professional foodservice systems and the convenience store sector as well as for professional coffee making. With around 60 companies, we are at home on five continents. Over 8,000 employees constantly take on new perspectives to identify opportunities and turn them into inspiring, innovative solutions for tomorrow’s demands.
The Franke Foodservice Systems division is a world-leading supplier of kitchen facilities, equipment and supplies solutions. As a full system manufacturer, distributor and program management partner, we supply global chains in the quick-service restaurant, convenience store and supermarket segments, helping to manage unit growth and upgrade their facilities.
About the job
In our Franke Foodservice Systems division, we are looking for a strategic and inspiring Head of Project Management, Engineering to help transform how new products are developed and launched across our global organization.
Your role: Driving projects, developing people, and creating global impact
This is far more than a traditional project management role. You will personally lead high-impact New Product Development initiatives from concept through launch while building and elevating our global Project Management Center of Excellence. As a trusted leader, you will guide project managers across multiple regions, establish best-in-class methodologies, develop talent, and drive alignment across engineering, marketing, operations, and supply chain teams worldwide. You will create the frameworks, governance models, and capabilities that ensure consistent execution of our innovation pipeline while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration. If you are a hands-on leader who thrives on delivering results, influencing across organizations, and developing high-performing teams, you'll find a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact at Franke.
What you bring—and what you can expect from us
You combine strategic thinking with a passion for execution. You are an experienced project management leader who knows how to navigate complexity, inspire teams, and turn ambitious ideas into successful outcomes. Your ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders, and develop people sets you apart, while your drive for excellence helps raise the standard for everyone around you. In return, you'll have the opportunity to lead globally visible initiatives, shape organizational capabilities, and contribute directly to the future success of Franke's innovation strategy.
Your tasks
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES
Personally lead and deliver high-impact, complex NPD projects from concept to launch.
Ensure projects are executed on time, within scope, and aligned with business objectives.
Drive cross-functional collaboration across engineering, marketing, operations, and supply chain teams.
Lead, develop and manage team of project managers and project management professionals across multiple locations in Americas
Establish clear performance expectations, objectives, and development plans for team members while promoting accountability and collaboration
Drive workforce planning, inclusive and collaborative team culture across diverse geographies, time zones and cultures.
Conduct performance evaluations, provide coaching and mentoring and support career development for direct and indirect reports.
Build leadership strength and succession plans within the project management organization.
Manage hiring, onboarding, retention, and talent development activities for the project management team.
Identify and mitigate risks, resolve issues proactively, and ensure strong governance throughout the project lifecycle.
Define, implement, and continuously improve standardized NPD project management methodologies, tools, and systems under the one Product Development umbrella.
Establish scalable frameworks, templates, and KPIs to ensure consistent project execution globally.
Drive adoption of best practices and ensure alignment with organizational goals and innovation strategies.
Lead digitalization, system enhancements, and reporting related to NPD project management.
Align and harmonize project management practices across regions and business units.
Ensure consistent application of governance, reporting, and performance metrics worldwide.
Act as the central point of coordination for global NPD project management efforts.
Facilitate knowledge sharing and cross-regional collaboration.
Establish and grow a global Center of Excellence for NPD project management.
Define standards, governance models, and competency frameworks for project managers.
Promote a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and accountability.
Design and deliver training programs for new and existing project managers in Franke Food Service Systems methodologies and practices.
Create certification and onboarding programs to ensure consistent skill development.
Serve as a thought leader and internal expert for the engineering project management team.
Benchmark against industry best practices and integrate learnings into the organization.
Reliable attendance is a must.
Some travel may be necessary.
Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Language Skills: Advanced Skills - Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
- Mathematical Skills: Basic Skills - Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
- New Product Development: Proficient in administering Phase Gate project management methodology.
- Reasoning Ability: Intermediate Skills - Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
- Computer Skills: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, order processing systems, project management related systems.
- Other Knowledge/Skills: Attention to detail, Problem Solving, Customer Service, Teaming, Technical Learning, Time Management, Conflict Management, Process Management, Written Communications, Negotiating, Organizational & Multi-tasking, knowledge of MEP trades from basic to advanced
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, Business, or a related field.
- 8–12+ years of experience in project management, with a strong focus on New Product Development.
- Proven track record of successfully leading complex, NPD projects.
- Experience in developing and implementing project management frameworks and systems.
- Demonstrated ability to influence and align cross-functional, multicultural teams.
- Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- PMP, PgMP, or equivalent certification preferred.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Does supervise staff.
What we offer you
- Free, On-Site Medical Clinic
- Comprehensive benefits package (Health, Vision, Dental, and More) starting day 1
- Free life insurance
- 401k match up to 4%
- Paid time off and 11 holidays.
Contact details
#LI-JB1
For more information see: www.franke.com
Important information for all executive search companies, headhunters and HR consultants
The Franke Group does not accept unsolicited support from headhunters and personnel consultants for our career opportunities. Any CV/resume vitae submitted to Franke or its employees by external recruitment agencies without a valid written recruitment agreement related to the position in question shall be deemed the sole property of our company. In the event that a candidate presented by an agency is hired in our company and there is no prior agreement, no fee will be paid.
