Product owner Jobs in Kirchheimbolanden

Job Title: Senior PLM Consultant
Location: Germany (can be based in or around Germany but will have to travel to the customer site at Friedrichshafen and Frankfurt once in a month or once in 2 months.

Job Summary:
As a Senior PLM Consultant, you will lead and deliver complex Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) transformation projects for top-tier manufacturing clients in Germany. In this senior role, you act as a trusted advisor and solution architect, guiding organizations through the implementation of PLM systems, primarily PTC Windchill (e.g. PTC Windchill, Siemens Teamcenter, Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE, Oracle Agile 9.x, Oracle 6.x) to optimize their product development processes. You will engage with stakeholders at all levels to understand business needs, design and implement PLM solutions, and ensure successful adoption of PLM best practices. This role is strategic for driving digital transformation in product development and requires strong consulting, technical, and leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• PLM Project Leadership: Lead end-to-end PLM implementation and upgrade projects – from initial assessment and requirements gathering through solution design, configuration, and go-live. Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, managing project scope, timelines, and deliverables.
• Business Process Consulting: Work closely with client stakeholders (engineering, R&D, manufacturing, IT, etc.) to analyze current product development processes (e.g. BOM management, change control, CAD data management) and translate business requirements into effective PLM solutions. Provide strategic advice on PLM best practices and process improvements.
• Solution Architecture & Design: Define client-specific PLM solution architectures, either at the application or technical level as needed. Develop solution concepts and technical designs that leverage out-of-the-box PLM functionality, minimizing customizations. Estimate effort and resources for proposed solutions and obtain client buy-in through presentations and workshops.
• System Implementation & Integration: Oversee the configuration and customization of PLM software (Windchill, Teamcenter, or other platforms) to meet client requirements. Guide technical teams in setting up PLM modules (item/BOM management, change workflows, document management, etc.) and integrating the PLM system with adjacent systems like ERP (e.g. SAP S/4HANA), MES, and CAD tools. Ensure robust data flows (e.g., part and BOM synchronization, CAD integrations) and address technical challenges in areas such as Single Sign-On, cloud/SaaS deployment, and system performance.
• Data Migration & Validation: Supervise and support PLM data migration activities – migrating legacy data (from systems like Axalant, legacy PDM/PLM, or file-based libraries) into the new PLM environment. Define data mapping and cleansing strategies, oversee data validation, and ensure the integrity and completeness of product data in the new system.
• Change Management & Training: Collaborate with client and internal change management teams to facilitate user adoption of new PLM solutions. Develop training plans and materials, conduct user training sessions and workshops (in English and/or German), and provide guidance on updated processes. Support end-users during testing, go-live, and post-go-live phases, ensuring a smooth transition with high user acceptance.
• Project Management & Team Leadership: Depending on project size, act as a Project Manager or workstream lead, coordinating cross-functional teams (developers, configurators, testers, etc.) and ensuring project milestones are achieved on time and within budget. Mentor junior consultants and foster knowledge sharing within the PLM practice. Monitor project progress, manage risks, and report status to client and internal leadership.
• Client Engagement & Pre-Sales Support: Cultivate strong relationships with client stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor on PLM strategy. Identify opportunities for continuous improvement or follow-on projects. Support business development efforts by contributing to proposals, demos, and RFP responses with your PLM domain expertise. Occasionally provide technical pre-sales assistance and effort estimations for new PLM initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, or a related field. 15+ years of experience in PLM consulting, solution architecture, or implementation, including at least one end-to-end PLM deployment in a lead or senior role.
• PLM Platform Expertise: Deep functional and technical knowledge of one or more major PLM systems, primarily PTC Windchill and others like Siemens Teamcenter, Oracle Agile 9.x, Oracle 6. or Dassault 3DEXPERIENCE. Proven ability to configure and customize PLM modules (e.g., item/BOM management, change management/workflows, document management, CAD integration, configuration management).
• Process & Domain Knowledge: Strong understanding of product development and engineering processes – from initial design and CAD data management to change control, BOM release, and manufacturing handover. Demonstrated experience aligning PLM solutions with industry best practices in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, industrial equipment, or electronics/high-tech manufacturing.
• Systems Integration: Hands-on experience integrating PLM with other enterprise systems. This includes knowledge of PLM-ERP integration (preferably with SAP ERP/S4HANA), and familiarity with technologies like middleware, web services/APIs, and database fundamentals. Ability to guide technical teams on PLM system architecture (client-server vs. cloud, SaaS deployments, data modeling, and security considerations).
• Language Skills: Fluency in English (professional business proficiency) is required. German language proficiency (B2 level or higher) is highly preferred, as many clients are German-speaking. Additional language skills (e.g., French) are a plus.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Cloud & Digital Transformation: Experience with cloud-based PLM solutions or SaaS PLM deployments. Familiarity with modern PLM trends such as cloud migration strategies, multi-tenant SaaS PLM offerings, and implementing PLM as part of a broader digital thread/digital twin strategy.
• Methodologies & Tools: Proficiency in Agile project delivery and tools (e.g., JIRA, Confluence) for managing requirements and development sprints. Certification or formal training in Agile/Scrum or project management (e.g., PMP) is a plus.
• Certifications: Vendor or industry certifications are advantageous – e.g., PTC Certified Professional (Windchill), Siemens Teamcenter certifications, or equivalent in other PLM systems. Any training or certification in SAP PLM integration or CAD systems (e.g., Creo, NX) is beneficial.
• Sector Experience: Prior consulting or implementation experience in relevant industries – e.g., automotive OEM/supplier, aerospace & defense, industrial machinery, high-tech electronics, or medical devices – giving you insight into industry-specific PLM processes and regulatory requirements.
• Additional Knowledge: Familiarity with adjacent domains such as ALM (Application Lifecycle Management for software), model-based systems engineering (MBSE), IIoT or Industry 4.0 as they relate to PLM, is a plus.

Soft Skills & Competencies:

• Client Leadership: Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. Able to build trust with clients, understand their strategic goals, and communicate complex PLM concepts in a clear, business-oriented manner. Comfortable serving as a primary liaison to client stakeholders including engineers, IT managers, and senior executives.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving: Strong analytical thinking to tackle complex process and technical challenges. Adept at translating abstract requirements into concrete solutions and troubleshooting issues under pressure (for example, guiding teams to resolve integration or migration problems efficiently).
• Team Collaboration & Leadership: Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and mentor junior consultants. Experience in coordinating diverse on-site/offshore teams and partnering with client personnel. Skillful in knowledge sharing and fostering a collaborative team environment.
• Autonomy & Initiative: Self-driven and able to work independently with minimal supervision. Takes initiative to identify client needs and drive solutions forward. Highly organized, with effective planning and time management skills to handle multiple projects or workstreams in parallel.