Head of LCS CCPM Key Accounts

Krones designs, develops, manufactures, and installs both machines and complete packaging lines.  We have become one of the leading system suppliers for breweries and beverage producers as well as for the food, chemical and cosmetics industries.  Our 20,000 employees worldwide strive for innovation and detail and ensure that each customer receives the best quality in product and service.

We are currently looking for candidates who want to make a difference and who wish to be part of our dynamic organization in the US. Krones Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Head of LCS Customer Care Project Management – Key Accounts

Position Summary

The Head of LCS Customer Care Project Management – Key Accounts is a customer-focused leadership position responsible for managing and developing a team of Project Managers dedicated to strategic Key Account customers. This role serves as the primary escalation point and executive interface between Krones and key customers, ensuring exceptional service delivery, successful project execution, and long-term customer satisfaction.

The successful candidate will provide leadership across aftermarket projects including retrofits, maintenance contracts, OEE improvement initiatives, Hypercare support, and other Lifecycle Service offerings. This role requires a strong combination of people leadership, technical expertise, project management excellence, and customer relationship management.

The Head of LCS Customer Care Project Management – Key Accounts will partner closely with Sales, Engineering, Field Service, Manufacturing, and customer leadership teams to drive business growth, operational excellence, and customer success.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, coach, develop, and manage a team of Project Managers supporting strategic Key Account customers.
• Establish performance expectations, accountability, and professional development plans for direct reports.
• Foster a culture of customer focus, ownership, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Drive execution excellence across all customer-facing aftermarket projects and service activities.
• Ensure organizational alignment and resource planning to support customer commitments and business objectives.

Customer Leadership & Key Account Management

• Serve as the executive-level customer interface for assigned Key Accounts.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with customer leadership, including plant, regional, and corporate stakeholders.
• Act as the primary escalation point for customer concerns, service issues, and project-related challenges.
• Lead customer business reviews, project updates, strategic planning discussions, and operational performance meetings.
• Drive customer satisfaction, retention, and long-term partnership growth through proactive engagement and visible leadership presence.

Project Management Leadership

• Provide oversight and governance for aftermarket projects including:
• Retrofits and modernization projects
• Maintenance programs
• OEE improvement initiatives
• Hypercare support programs
• Lifecycle Service solutions
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and according to customer expectations.
• Support project execution from quotation through engineering, installation, commissioning, customer acceptance, and closeout.
• Oversee claims management, change order processes, risk mitigation, and final payment collection.
• Apply project quality gates and standardized project management methodologies.

Technical & Operational Leadership

• Collaborate with customers and internal teams to identify technical challenges and develop effective solutions.
• Leverage strong knowledge of bottling, packaging, and manufacturing operations to support project success.
• Provide guidance to Project Managers on technical project execution and customer service strategies.
• Support service and modernization opportunities that improve customer productivity, reliability, and operational performance.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives that enhance customer outcomes and internal efficiencies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with LCS Sales to support account strategies, customer engagement, and growth initiatives.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Order Management, Field Service, and third-party suppliers to ensure successful project execution.
• Identify opportunities to expand Lifecycle Service offerings and support Performance Parts growth.
• Lead cross-functional teams through routine operations, shutdowns, critical service events, and escalated customer situations.

Safety & Compliance

• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture across all projects and customer engagements.
• Ensure compliance with Krones safety policies, procedures, and customer-specific safety requirements.
• Support risk assessments and safe project execution practices throughout the project lifecycle.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Project Management, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and industry experience will be considered.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience in beverage, bottling, packaging, field service, manufacturing, lifecycle services, or aftermarket project management.
• Demonstrated experience managing customer-facing projects and complex service organizations.
• Prior people leadership experience with responsibility for coaching, developing, and managing teams.
• Proven track record of building and maintaining executive-level customer relationships.
• Experience managing budgets, schedules, commercial issues, and project execution.

Technical Expertise

• Strong understanding of bottling and packaging lines, production equipment, and manufacturing systems.
• Experience with aftermarket services, maintenance programs, modernization projects, and equipment upgrades.
• Ability to identify customer requirements and translate them into effective technical and commercial solutions.
• Strong project management and problem-solving capabilities.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is:

• A strong people leader who develops high-performing teams.
• Customer-centric with exceptional relationship-building skills.
• Self-motivated, accountable, and results-driven.
• Comfortable engaging with customer executives and plant leadership.
• Highly organized with strong business and financial acumen.
• An effective communicator with excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Willing to travel extensively to maintain customer engagement and project visibility.

Travel Requirements

• Minimum 40% domestic travel required.
• Frequent on-site customer visits and participation in key project milestones.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary range: $100,000 – $135,000, based on qualifications, experience, and demonstrated expertise.
• Eligible for performance-based incentive and bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive benefits package including:
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability coverage
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Retirement savings plan participation, subject to eligibility requirements

Krones , Inc. offers an outstanding opportunity to be involved with and challenged by leading-edge technologies, further career opportunities to learn and develop skills, a flexible work schedule and a competitive salary and benefits program. Our Krones Benefits program includes a generous health/dental/vision package, and 401(k) program in addition to other benefits. Please submit your resume.

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