Global Project Manager Strategic Service Projects - Job Opportunity at GEA Group

Deventer, Netherlands
Full-time
Senior
Posted: May 28, 2025
On-site
EUR 85,000 - 110,000 per year, considering the senior-level requirements, 10+ years experience requirement, strategic nature of the role, and the Netherlands market rates for similar positions in multinational industrial companies

Benefits

Opportunity to work in a leading global company with 18,000 employees across 60+ countries, providing extensive networking and collaboration opportunities
Access to challenging and strategically important projects that directly impact business transformation initiatives
Professional development opportunities within a global matrix structure, enabling skill enhancement across multiple business functions
International team collaboration experience, valuable for career advancement in multinational corporations
Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and advanced processes in the machinery and process engineering sector

Key Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive end-to-end project lifecycle management for strategic service initiatives that drive business transformation and competitive advantage
Develop and execute sophisticated project plans encompassing scope definition, timeline optimization, resource allocation, and comprehensive risk management strategies
Implement proactive project monitoring systems and deploy corrective actions to ensure strategic objectives are met
Facilitate high-level stakeholder communication, delivering project status updates, milestone achievements, and outcome analysis to senior management
Ensure strategic project delivery within defined parameters of timeline, scope, and budget while maximizing business value
Cultivate organizational culture focused on collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence within cross-functional project teams
Manage complex stakeholder relationships across global matrix structure to maintain alignment and secure support for strategic initiatives
Demonstrate hands-on leadership approach by diving deep into project content and providing structural guidance to stakeholders and workstream leaders

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, Engineering, or a related field; Master's degree preferred

Experience

Minimum of 10 years of experience in service management and project management

Required Skills

Experience in setting up new business fields and revenue streams Experience in launching new services and working with product development processes Proven experience in managing large-scale projects within a global matrix structure Exceptional communication and influencing skills Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills Experience in the machinery industry, process engineering, or investment goods sector is highly desirable Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment Proficiency in project management software and tools Ability to travel as needed Experience in business transformation and change management Experience in Customer Service Management Familiarity with remote support service models and technologies Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills

Certifications

PMP, PRINCE2, or similar project management certification
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The food and beverage processing industry is experiencing significant digital transformation, with companies increasingly investing in remote support services and IoT-enabled equipment monitoring to reduce downtime and improve operational efficiency. This trend is driving demand for project managers who can bridge traditional machinery expertise with modern digital service delivery models. Global supply chain disruptions and sustainability pressures are pushing process industries toward more localized and efficient operations, creating opportunities for strategic service projects that optimize equipment performance and reduce environmental impact through advanced monitoring and predictive maintenance solutions. The machinery and process engineering sector is consolidating around service-based revenue models, with companies shifting from equipment sales to long-term service contracts and performance-based agreements, requiring sophisticated project management capabilities to implement these business model transformations.

Role Significance

Typically manages cross-functional project teams of 8-15 professionals across multiple geographic regions, with indirect influence over larger stakeholder groups including product development, customer service, and regional operations teams within the global matrix structure.
This is a senior-level strategic role with significant organizational impact, evidenced by direct reporting to senior management, responsibility for business transformation initiatives, and authority over cross-functional teams within a global matrix structure. The role combines traditional project management with strategic business development responsibilities.

Key Projects

Implementation of global remote support service platforms that enable real-time equipment monitoring and predictive maintenance capabilities Development and launch of new service revenue streams including performance-based contracts and subscription-based maintenance models Business transformation initiatives that integrate digital technologies with traditional machinery service delivery Strategic expansion projects that establish new service capabilities in emerging markets or technology areas

Success Factors

Ability to navigate complex global matrix organizations while maintaining clear accountability and driving results across multiple stakeholders with competing priorities and different cultural backgrounds. Strategic thinking capability that connects tactical project execution with broader business transformation objectives, ensuring that individual projects contribute to long-term competitive advantage and revenue growth. Change management expertise that enables successful adoption of new service models and technologies across established organizational structures that may be resistant to transformation. Technical credibility within the machinery and process engineering sector, combined with business acumen to translate technical capabilities into market-viable service offerings that generate sustainable revenue streams.

Market Demand

High demand driven by digital transformation initiatives across process industries and the critical need for experienced project managers who can navigate complex global matrix organizations while delivering strategic business transformation projects

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Global matrix organization navigation skills are absolutely essential for success in this role, as the ability to influence without direct authority and coordinate across multiple stakeholders with competing priorities directly determines project success and career advancement within large multinational industrial companies. Strategic thinking and business development capabilities are crucial differentiators that separate this role from traditional project management positions, requiring the ability to identify market opportunities, design new service models, and translate technical capabilities into profitable business solutions. Change management and transformation leadership skills are critical for driving adoption of new technologies and service models across established organizational structures, particularly important as industrial companies undergo digital transformation and shift toward service-based business models.

Beneficial Skills

Digital technology familiarity, particularly in IoT, predictive analytics, and remote monitoring systems, provides significant advantage as these technologies become standard in industrial service delivery and represent major growth opportunities for equipment manufacturers. Consulting or external client management experience enhances the ability to structure complex projects and communicate value propositions to diverse stakeholder groups, skills that are increasingly important as internal projects must demonstrate clear ROI and competitive advantage. Additional language skills, particularly German or other European languages, provide substantial benefit for career advancement within GEA's European operations and enable more effective stakeholder management across the company's diverse regional markets.

Unique Aspects

This role uniquely combines strategic business development with hands-on project execution, requiring both visionary thinking and practical implementation skills within a complex global matrix organization.
The position offers rare exposure to cutting-edge industrial IoT and remote monitoring technologies that are reshaping traditional machinery service models, providing valuable experience in emerging industry trends.
The role provides exceptional opportunity to build new business capabilities from the ground up, including revenue stream development and service model innovation, which is increasingly valuable in industrial transformation contexts.
Working within GEA's LPT Division offers access to advanced process engineering technologies and direct interaction with global food and beverage industry leaders, providing unique industry insights and networking opportunities.

Career Growth

Typical progression to director-level roles within 3-5 years, with potential advancement to VP or C-suite positions within 7-10 years, depending on successful delivery of major transformation initiatives and development of additional P&L management experience

Potential Next Roles

Director of Strategic Services or VP of Global Services, leading entire service divisions within large industrial companies Chief Operating Officer roles in mid-size engineering companies, leveraging cross-functional project management experience Management consulting positions specializing in industrial transformation and service business model development Regional General Manager positions overseeing multiple business functions within multinational industrial corporations

Company Overview

GEA Group

GEA Group is a globally recognized leader in process technology and components for sophisticated production processes, particularly strong in food and beverage processing, with a substantial presence in pharmaceutical, chemical, and energy industries. The company operates as a technology-focused industrial conglomerate with significant emphasis on innovation and digital transformation of traditional manufacturing processes.

GEA holds a strong market position as one of the largest suppliers in the food and beverage processing industry, competing with companies like Alfa Laval, SPX Technologies, and Tetra Pak. The company's focus on process engineering and industrial automation positions it well for the ongoing digitalization of manufacturing industries.
The Netherlands location represents a key European operational hub for GEA, providing access to the company's strongest regional markets while offering proximity to major food processing companies and advanced manufacturing clusters in Northwestern Europe.
GEA promotes a performance-oriented international culture that emphasizes technical excellence, innovation, and collaborative problem-solving across diverse cultural backgrounds. The company's global matrix structure requires strong communication skills and cultural adaptability, while offering significant opportunities for international career development.
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