It's more than a job
Lead complex customer onboarding and implementation projects that shape the future of logistics. As a Customer Onboarding Lead Project Manager, you will be responsible for delivering large-scale operational transformations, warehouse start-ups, automation projects, and multi-site implementations across Europe. This role is ideal for an experienced project leader with a strong background in logistics, supply chain, warehousing, automation, or customer implementations who enjoys driving projects from concept through successful go-live.
The position can be based in the Kempen area (Belgium), Milan (Italy), Bucharest (Romania), or Wroclaw (Poland). The role requires up to 80% travel across Europe, primarily during business days, to support customer implementations, project milestones, stakeholder workshops, and go-live activities
As a Customer Onboarding Lead Project Manager, you will lead complex customer onboarding and implementation projects from initiation through go-live and handover. Acting as the primary point of contact and trusted advisor for customers, you will coordinate cross-functional teams, manage project risks, budgets, timelines, and stakeholder expectations, and ensure successful delivery of strategic logistics and supply chain transformation projects. Working closely with Operations, Engineering, IT, Automation, and Customer stakeholders, you will drive projects to completion while ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and within budget.
How you create impact
- Lead end-to-end customer onboarding and implementation projects, including large-scale and strategic customer programs;
- Serve as the primary point of contact and trusted advisor throughout the project lifecycle;
- Develop and manage comprehensive project plans, ensuring critical milestones and timelines are achieved;
- Drive project governance through regular status reporting, steering committee meetings, and executive stakeholder updates;
- Identify project risks and issues, develop mitigation plans, and proactively manage project escalations;
- Manage project scope, change requests, and ensure alignment between customer expectations and project deliverables;
- Lead cross-functional project teams including Operations, IT, Engineering, Automation, and Customer stakeholders;
- Coordinate and oversee system migrations, automation implementations, testing activities, and user acceptance testing (UAT);
- Manage implementation budgets, monitor financial performance, and ensure successful delivery within approved cost parameters;
- Lead go-live activities, project handover processes, and lessons learned reviews to ensure continuous improvement.
What we would like you to bring
- Minimum 8-10 years of experience in project management, preferably within logistics, supply chain, contract logistics, warehousing, automation, or transportation environments;
- Proven experience managing large-scale customer onboarding, implementation, or transformation projects;
- Formal Project Management certification such as PMP (PMI), PRINCE2, or an equivalent qualification is required;
- Strong knowledge of project management methodologies, governance, risk management, and stakeholder management;
- Experience leading cross-functional and international project teams in a complex matrix organization;
- Strong financial and commercial acumen with experience managing project budgets, change requests, and project risks;
- Experience with WMS implementations, automation projects, systems migrations, warehouse start-ups, or operational transformations is highly desirable;
- Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and customer relationship management skills;
- Ability to work independently, influence senior stakeholders, and perform effectively under pressure and tight deadlines;
- Willingness to travel regularly, primarily within Europe, is essential for this role;
- Fluent English communication skills, both written and spoken; additional European languages are considered a strong advantage.
What's in it for you
At Kuehne+Nagel, you will have the opportunity to grow your expertise, shape processes, and deliver innovative solutions for some of the world’s largest customers. We are continuously expanding our global network and product portfolio, creating career opportunities across diverse functions and regions. As a leader in the logistics industry, we offer a collaborative, digital, and customer-focused environment where you will work with motivated colleagues from around the world. We look forward to receiving your comprehensive online application.
Who we are
Logistics shapes everyday life - from the goods we consume to the healthcare we rely on. At Kuehne+Nagel, your work goes beyond logistics; it enables both ordinary and special moments in the lives of people around the world.
As a global leader with a strong heritage and a vision to move the world forward, we offer a safe, stable environment where your career can make a real difference. Whether we help deliver life-saving medicines, develop sustainable transportation solutions or support our local communities, your career will contribute to more than you can imagine.
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