Program Manager III

Job#: 3025661

Job Description:

JOB TITLE: Program Manager III - Inventory Donations

DURATION: 6 MONTHS

LOCATION: REMOTE

PAY RATE: $44 - $50 HOURLY

Job Description:

We are seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead the launch and scaling of new donations programs across our organization. This role combines strategic program management with vendor relationship management, requiring a leader who can navigate complex cross-functional initiatives while building and maintaining strong external partnerships. The ideal candidate will drive program expansion from concept through execution, ensuring operational excellence and continuous growth in our donations ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Launch and Scaling

The Program Manager will own the end-to-end lifecycle of donations programs, from initial concept development through full-scale implementation and optimization. This includes defining program requirements, establishing success metrics, developing implementation roadmaps, and driving execution across multiple workstreams. The role requires translating strategic objectives into actionable plans while maintaining flexibility to adapt as programs evolve. You will be responsible for identifying opportunities for program expansion, conducting feasibility assessments, and building business cases that demonstrate value creation for both internal stakeholders and external partners.

Vendor Management and Performance

A critical component of this role involves managing vendor relationships as we launch and expand new programs. You will serve as the primary point of contact for external partners, ensuring clear communication, aligned expectations, and mutual accountability. As new programs are introduced, you will onboard and integrate new vendors into our operations, establishing clear performance frameworks and service level expectations. A key responsibility is measuring and tracking performance metrics across our entire vendor portfolio, analyzing trends, identifying areas for improvement, and driving accountability for results. You will conduct regular business reviews with vendors, provide data-driven feedback on performance, and work collaboratively to address gaps and optimize outcomes. This includes developing standardized metrics and reporting mechanisms that enable consistent evaluation across our diverse partner ecosystem.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Success in this role requires exceptional collaboration skills and the ability to influence without direct authority. You will work closely with Product teams to align program features with customer needs and market opportunities, partner with Technology teams to ensure technical solutions support program requirements and scale effectively, and coordinate with internal stakeholders across operations, finance, legal, and compliance to ensure programs meet all organizational standards. You will facilitate alignment across diverse teams, manage competing priorities, and drive consensus on critical decisions that impact program outcomes.

Stakeholder Management

The Program Manager will serve as the central hub for program communications, providing regular updates to leadership on program status, risks, and opportunities. You will prepare executive-level presentations, lead program reviews, and ensure stakeholders at all levels have visibility into program performance. This includes managing expectations, escalating issues appropriately, and building confidence in program direction through data-driven insights and clear communication.

Required Qualifications

The successful candidate will bring 5 plus years of program or project management experience, with demonstrated success launching and scaling complex initiatives that involve multiple stakeholders and external partners. You must have proven vendor management experience, including relationship development, performance measurement, and accountability management. Strong analytical skills are essential, with the ability to leverage data to drive decisions, identify trends, and measure program impact. Excellent communication skills are required, including the ability to influence senior leaders, facilitate cross-functional alignment, and build productive relationships with external partners.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in donations, sustainability, or social impact programs is highly valued, as is familiarity with e-commerce or retail operations. Background in vendor performance management or supplier development programs will be advantageous. Technical fluency and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering teams on system requirements and integrations is preferred. Experience working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments where you have successfully navigated uncertainty and driven clarity is important.

Key Competencies

This role requires strategic thinking with the ability to see the big picture while managing tactical execution details. You must demonstrate ownership mentality, taking full accountability for program outcomes and driving results with limited oversight. Relationship building skills are critical, both internally and externally, with the ability to establish trust and credibility quickly. You should be comfortable with ambiguity, able to structure problems, develop frameworks, and drive progress even when the path forward is unclear. Bias for action is essential, with a track record of moving quickly from analysis to execution while maintaining quality standards. Data fluency is important, with the ability to design metrics frameworks, analyze performance data, and translate insights into actionable recommendations.

Success Metrics

Performance in this role will be measured by successful program launches that meet timeline and quality objectives, effective vendor onboarding and integration as programs expand, vendor portfolio performance metrics showing continuous improvement and accountability, stakeholder satisfaction scores reflecting strong cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to scale programs effectively while maintaining quality and partner relationships.

Work Environment

This position requires collaboration across multiple time zones and the ability to manage relationships with geographically distributed teams and partners. The role demands flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and the resilience to navigate complex organizational dynamics while maintaining forward momentum on program objectives.

EEO Employer

Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Employee Services Department at or .

Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico. Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click for more details.

Apex Benefits Overview: Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Apex team member can provide.