Manufacturing Program Manager

The Program Manager is responsible for leading all aspects of a customer program - from design and development through production. This role ensures that customer requirements and deadlines are met by effectively leading cross-functional teams and maintaining clear internal and external communications. Program Managers drive customer satisfaction through strong project leadership, proactive communication, on-time delivery, and continuous follow-up.

Responsibilities:

• Lead new product development initiatives from concept through production with minimal supervision.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project schedules and resource plans, coordinating input from Sales, Engineering, Operations, Tooling, and Purchasing.
• Gain a full understanding of project scope; identify and communicate scope changes and their impacts to internal teams and customers.
• Proactively identify roadblocks and implement solutions to keep projects on time and within scope.
• Monitor and manage project schedules, pricing, and technical performance throughout the program lifecycle.
• Identify and mitigate risks while leveraging opportunities to meet program goals.
• Hold project team members accountable for meeting objectives and deadlines.
• Track performance relative to budget and schedule, providing regular updates to leadership and customers.
• Monitor customer-related data, including stock status and purchase order activity.
• Drive profitability from development through production by managing budgets and overseeing Working Cost Models.
• Ensure all development and production orders are properly set up in Epicor for accurate job costing.
• Troubleshoot issues and escalate as necessary. Resolve conflicts independently or with guidance from senior management.
• Respond to customer inquiries within 24 hours via phone, email, or mail.
• Support production teams as needed by providing project leadership, issue resolution, and coordination to maintain product quality and delivery schedules.
• Champion continuous process improvement by identifying inefficiencies and recommending or implementing improvements in project execution, communication, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Utilize Agile project management principles where appropriate, incorporating iterative planning, team stand-ups, and adaptability to changes in project scope and priorities.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Valid identification and authorization to work in the United States.
• Bachelor’s degree in business or a technical field.
• 5+ years of relevant program management experience in a technical or manufacturing environment. Contract manufacturing experience is preferred.
• Proven ability to lead multiple programs/projects simultaneously.
• Experience with Microsoft Project and/or Program Management certification is preferred.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and their practical application in engineering or manufacturing settings is a strong plus.
• Strong organizational and decision-making skills; self-starter with a high level of initiative.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and ERP systems. Familiarity with video conferencing tools, CAD, and presentation software (preferably within Microsoft Suite) is a plus.
• Collaborative work style with a customer-centric mindset and relationship-building abilities.
• Knowledge of product development in industries such as medical devices, telecommunications, automotive, or electronics is preferred.