Manager - Program Management (PMO)

American Vanguard Corporation (NYSE: AVD) is a diversified agricultural and specialty products company focusing on crop protection, turf and ornamental markets, and public health applications. 
We are seeking a Manager - Program Management  (PMO) to support and drive a portfolio of strategic business improvement initiatives across the organization.

The PMO Manager will be responsible for managing complex, cross-functional programs designed to deliver measurable financial and operational value. This is a hands-on execution role requiring strong program management fundamentals, financial acumen, operational understanding, and the ability to move comfortably between detailed project execution and executive-level communication.

The successful candidate will work closely with Finance, global business leaders, and functional teams to develop and track business cases, budgets, forecasts, KPIs, dependencies, risks, and project outcomes. This role requires the judgment to apply the appropriate PMO tools, governance, and methodologies based on the needs of each initiative rather than relying on process or methodology alone.

The PMO must demonstrate deep expertise in interdependency mapping, risk management and supervising complex programs to time and budget, with an ability to balance competing priorities. The role requires strong communication skills to consolidate information for executive meetings and the ability to adjust messaging from middle-level management up to executive leadership. This position is onsite at the corporate office in Irvine.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage a portfolio of multiple strategic business improvement initiatives across Business Units, functions, and workstreams.
• Build and maintain integrated program plans, including milestones, workstreams, dependencies, critical paths, risks, issues, and key decisions.
• Work directly with project teams to drive deliverables, resolve roadblocks, and maintain accountability for timing and outcomes.
• Monitor program health and identify risks that could impact delivery, financial performance, or value realization.
• Escalate issues appropriately and work with stakeholders to develop practical solutions and recovery plans.
• Develop and maintain executive-level reporting on program progress, risks, KPIs, financial performance, and value realization.
• Aggregate end-to-end program reporting for Business Unit leadership, the Executive Team, and Board-level discussions as needed.
• Deliver monthly dashboards and KPI reporting for key stakeholders and support the coordination of Global Leadership meetings.
• Own program financial tracking and partner closely with Finance to evaluate business cases, budgets, forecasts, actual versus plan, ROI, cost savings, cost avoidance, EBITDA impact, margin impact, and overall value realization.
• Review and challenge financial assumptions when appropriate and identify gaps between approved business cases and actual performance.
• Coordinate with Finance to validate financial reporting, investment assumptions, and business case performance.
• Establish and continuously improve practical PMO standards, templates, tools, and governance frameworks that support consistent execution.
• Apply project and program management best practices while ensuring tools and methodologies are appropriate for the complexity and needs of each initiative.
• Support operational and business improvement initiatives, including projects involving manufacturing, supply chain, commercial operations, finance, technology, and support functions.
• Coordinate program activities across organizational boundaries, including global teams and external partners.
• Partner with HR and business leaders on change management activities, stakeholder engagement, communication planning, and adoption tracking.
• Manage relationships with external vendors, consultants, and third-party partners supporting transformation initiatives.
• Prepare concise, decision-oriented materials for senior leaders and adjust communication appropriately across organizational levels.
• Provide overall delivery oversight for assigned improvement initiatives from planning through implementation and benefits realization.

 EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• 5+ years of experience managing complex cross-functional programs, portfolios, or strategic initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience managing risks, dependencies, competing priorities, and complex stakeholder groups.
• Strong financial and business acumen, including experience with: 
  • Budget management
  • Forecasting
  • Actual versus plan analysis
  • Business cases
  • ROI
  • Cost savings and cost avoidance
  • EBITDA
  • Gross margin and profit margin
  • Benefits and value realization
• Ability to understand financial assumptions, identify gaps, and partner effectively with Finance on investment decisions and performance reporting.
• Experience working in manufacturing, operations, supply chain, or another operationally complex environment strongly preferred.
• Experience in chemical, agriculture, life sciences, industrial manufacturing, or related industries is a plus.
• Experience with operational excellence, continuous improvement, Lean, Lean Six Sigma, or similar business improvement methodologies preferred.
• Experience working in a publicly traded company and supporting quarterly financial or operating goals is a plus.
• Strong experience preparing executive dashboards, KPIs, and leadership-level reporting.
• Proficiency with project / program management tools such as Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, or similar platforms.
• Proficiency with data visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or equivalent.
• Experience with change management principles and methodologies; Prosci or equivalent certification is a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively from working teams through executive leadership.
• Proven ability to work independently, follow through on commitments, and drive results across functions without direct authority.
• Demonstrated hands-on, collaborative working style with the ability to work through details, receive and incorporate feedback, challenge assumptions constructively, and adapt approach based on business needs.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in business, finance, engineering, operations, or another quantitative discipline.
• MBA is a plus.
• PMP or equivalent project/program management certification is preferred.

AMERICAN VANGUARD offers:

For decades, AMERICAN VANGUARD has provided a robust benefit package. Our health insurance including Medical (PPO); Dental (PPO / HMO), Vision is offered at low cost to employees and their families. In addition, Life & AD&D insurance is provided for employees and their families. Our Retirement Savings plan - 401(k) or Roth - comes with employer matching after 30 days of employment.

American Vanguard Company (NYSE: AVD) also offers an Employee Stock Purchasing Plan (ESPP) with employee discount. Salary ranges from $120K depending on experience and education. Other benefits include options for Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA)' a Wellness program and more.

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AMERICAN VANGUARD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We participate in the E-Verify Federal Identification System.