Senior Project Manager: Customer Projects

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Contract execution and delivery

• Take full ownership of assigned customer contracts from formal handover by Business Development, including a structured handover review of contract terms, scope, pricing basis, risks and open assumptions.
• Translate contract requirements into an executable project baseline (scope, work breakdown structure, schedule, budget and deliverables list) and obtain internal commitment to it.
• Drive delivery through to final shipment, customer acceptance, invoicing and formal contract close-out, including lessons learned.

Planning, scheduling and control

• Develop and maintain integrated delivery schedules, incorporating inputs from all stakeholders in support of a cohesive and achievable plan.
• Monitor progress against the baseline, identify variances early, drive and implement recovery plans where milestones are at risk.
• Manage scope through a formal change control process; ensure all customer-requested changes are assessed, priced and contractually agreed before implementation.

Financial and commercial management

• Manage the contract budget and report variances to the Executive Manager: Customer Projects.
• Plan and secure milestone and delivery-based invoicing.
• Identify and manage contractual exposure, including penalties, liquidated damages, warranties and guarantees.

Customer interface

• Act as the primary point of contact for the customer on contract execution matters.
• Lead customer progress reviews and prepare formal contract status reports.
• Coordinate customer product acceptance, quality inspections, first article and lot acceptance processes with Quality and Operations.

Risk, compliance and governance

• Establish and maintain a contract risk and opportunity register; drive mitigation actions with the responsible owners.
• Ensure adherence to contractual, legal and export control requirements throughout execution, including permits, end-user certification and customer-specific obligations.
• Maintain complete and accurate project records, contract correspondence and delivery documentation in line with company governance and audit requirements.
• Adhere to and implement Rheinmetall Denel Munition policies and procedures.

Stakeholder management and leadership

• Lead and coordinate cross-functional project teams across all departments in the organisation.
• Chair internal contract status meetings, drive accountability for agreed actions and escalate unresolved issues timeously.
• Provide timely, accurate reporting to executive management on contract performance, risks and decisions required.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• On-time delivery against contractual milestones.
• Contract margin achieved against the approved budget.
• Milestone invoicing and cash collection achieved as planned.
• Customer acceptance first time, with minimal non-conformances and rework.
• Zero compliance breaches (contractual, legal and export control).
• Customer satisfaction and quality of executive reporting.

Minimum requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (NQF 7) in engineering or a related technical field.
• Recognised project management qualification (e.g. PMP, PRINCE2, IPMA or equivalent).
• Minimum of 5 years’ project management experience.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional project teams.
• Advanced MS Office skills, as well as relevant project management software such as MS Projects.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with international customers and senior stakeholders.
• South African citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Willingness to travel locally and internationally as required.

Advantageous

• Experience in defence, aerospace or other regulated manufacturing projects.
• Working knowledge of export control regimes (NCACC) and contract management principles.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strong ownership and drive for results, with high attention to detail.
• Stakeholder management and the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Structured problem-solving and quantitative reasoning with technical data, schedules and performance metrics.
• Confident customer-facing communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to perform under pressure and manage multiple contracts concurrently.

• Competitive compensation package with incentive bonus and pension fund
• Medical Schemes
• Stable employer background
• Opportunity to work on major projects within our Weapons and Ammunition Division
• Extensive Employee Assistance Program to support overall health and wellbeing
• Career development and progress opportunities
• Individual and diverse training opportunities and programs (Bursary Schemes)
• Subsidized canteen on site with themed days and multiple dietary options
• Innovative and dynamic working environment and culture
• Work as part of a team with real purpose in what we do
• Participation in (international) Rheinmetall activities and events

 

Rheinmetall Denel Munition is an Employment Equity Employer that gives preference to suitable candidates who add to the diversity of the company.

 

CLOSING DATE: 16 OCTOBER 2026