Senior Program Manager

Description

 With no supervision, the Senior Program Manager oversees and manages the operational aspects of ongoing projects and serves as liaison between the project team and key stakeholders (customers, both internal and external, and management) during the entire program life cycle. 

The Senior Program Manager will typically manage more high-level and/or high-risk customer accounts and complex programs. All New Production Introduction (NPI) programs are managed by Senior Program Managers. Once the NPI programs are launched, the Senior Program Manager will typically transfer to a Program Manager for ongoing sustaining production management.

Reviews status of projects and budgets, manages schedules, and prepares status reports. Assesses project issues and develops mitigation plans/solutions to meet productivity, quality, and customer-satisfaction goals and objectives. Develops mechanisms to monitor project progress, mitigate risks, and solve problems with the project team, customers, and management. 

The Senior Program Manager supports the internal team across all disciplines, Management, Senior Management, and Executive Management for all program activities and reporting as needed to manage the operations.

Requirements

•   Establish and manage the overall program plan and schedule for New Products Introductions (NPI) or current program changes based on company strategies.
• The senior program manager will work in collaboration with all departments to develop a team for each program. 
• The Senior Program Manager will be responsible to coordinate the work between each stakeholder in accordance with the program schedule.
• Work with internal program team members to ensure that the planning activities and their progress are compatible with keeping the program on schedule. 
• Supporting the General Manager, the Senior Program Manager maintains the budget and profitability of the program and monitors regularly potential cost reduction plans. 
• Monitors the quality conformance in line with customers’ expectations with the support of Operations and Quality team members.
• Highlight any areas needing improvement and work with the required team members to support improvement, as well as monitors the outcomes with the program team. 
• Provide the customers and key stakeholders with regular updates of program schedule and budget status vs. plan and identify any changes in customer expectations, including functional design, costs, scope, pricing, content, changes, delivery, documentation, and supplier performances.
• Has regular program team meetings with the customer and internal team members as needed to support the customers’ needs. 
• The Senior Program Manager supports the Materials Procurement team as needed to ensure that materials are available for production builds as scheduled.      
• The Senior Program Manager works with the Materials Manager to regularly assess Excess and Obsolete materials (E&O) for sell back for their assigned programs.
• The Senior Program Manager works with the Materials Buyer to manage Purchase Price Variance (PPV) for their program and work with their customers as needed for recovery.
• The Senior Program Manager supports the production planning team to ensure production builds are scheduled as needed and resourcing are available to meet customers’ requirements. 
• The Senior Program Manager supports the customer and the internal quality team to help manage all Return Material Authorizations (RMA) in a timely manner. 
• The Senior Program Manager will support finance as needed for their assigned customers to help with Accounts Receivable (A/R) payment issues.
• The Senior Program Manager can make critical decisions regarding program direction and resource allocation to support operations and actively contributes to strategic planning for the company’s overall goals.

Sales and Growth

• The Senior Program Manager is responsible in optimizing all opportunities to grow their assigned accounts in revenue sales, i.e., organic sales. The percentage of required revenue growth target may vary across programs and will be defined by management.
• This requires that the Senior Program Manager have a strong understanding of the customer needs through ongoing communications with an emphasis on continued sales opportunities, i.e., NRE, next generations, new product designs, etc. 
• The Senior Program Manager will work with the Business Development Manager as needed to support the additional sales opportunities with the customer.

Process Management

• Use program management tools, released processes, and procedures to track the project vs. plan, including delivery, quality, cost, schedule, and resource levels.
• Ensure company policies and documentation requirements have been followed throughout the entire program life cycle.
• Identifies and works with the key stakeholders to correct systemic flaws and unacceptable performance.
• Be the voice of proposition and constantly look for process improvement in all areas to support the customer and improve operations. 

Contract Review

• Review contractual requirements and identify areas needing additional support to achieve them.
• Work with operations to identify changes in internal processes to highlight the commitment and resources needed to sustain the customers’ satisfaction.
• Suggest changes where mutually beneficial to the customer and the company.
• Establish a clear understanding of the Statement of Work (SOW) throughout both the customers’ organization and our internal organization.
• Identify customer’s requests for changes in the Statement of Work requiring contractual modifications before the work has been started. 
• Participate as needed in contractual negotiations with the Sales department and legal support (initial negotiation quote and contract phase and changes from internal and external parties).
• The Senior Program Manager has the authority to represent the company during communications and negotiations with current assigned customers but must refer to Senior Management for financial decisions that may impact the company negatively. 

Leadership and Supervisory Responsibilities

• The Senior Program Manager will help onboard all new Program Managers, providing training on all business systems and processes and will provide feedback to management on the progress.
• The Senior Program Manager helps support and mentor Program Managers on an ongoing basis as needed, providing guidance on complex issues and decision making. 
• Manage assigned program managers (if applicable) for the effective and timely execution of the assigned programs.
• Provide performance feedback to the management team for each assigned team member.
• Identity’s team’s training and development requirements and maintain high morale, motivation and engagement of the team members.

Education & Qualifications

H.S Diploma required. Bachelor’s   degree in business preferred or ten (10) years of equivalent related   experience in contract manufacturing under program management, sales, or   engineering roles.

Education & Qualifications

Advanced understanding of electrical and mechanical engineering principles, design processes, and quality documentation systems.

Solid understanding of Printed Circuit Boards, Electrical Cables, components, specifications, drawings, testing, and qualification requirements.  

Professional Skills

Strong leadership skills

Strong organizational skills

Strong communication, both verbal and written

Solid problem-solving techniques

Solid judgement in decision making

Multi-tasking and able to adjust   to changing priorities

Able to work under pressure and with tight timelines

Behavioral/Soft Skills

Must have advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office tools, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project  

Preferred Skills 

PMP certification is a plus. 

Physical Demand 

Finger dexterity needed in using misc. office equipment, such as telephone, computer and copy machine, etc. Bending, stooping, reaching, and lifting (up to twenty pounds) may be required during tasks related to the job. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to focus.  

Work Environment, Safety & Travel Requirements

 This position requires extended periods of sitting while working with computers and viewing computer monitors and other office equipment.    Understand and follow safety procedures within the organization.    10% - 20%.