Better opportunity. Find it here.

Program Manager

$120-135k

Wichita, KS

Bell & Associates has been engaged to help our client recruit their next Program Manager.  The Program Manager will be responsible for the cost, schedule and technical performance of company programs/projects or subsystems of major programs/projects. This person directs all phases of programs/projects from inception through completion. They will participate in the negotiation of contract and contract changes and coordinate the preparation of proposals, business plans, proposal work statements and specifications, operating budgets and financial terms/conditions of contract. This person acts as primary customer contact for program activities, leading program review sessions with customers to discuss cost, schedule, and technical performance. They will establish design concepts, criteria and engineering efforts for product research, development, integration and test and develop new businesses or expand the product lines with the customers. They will also establish milestones and monitors adherence to master plans and schedules, identifies program problems and obtains solutions, such as allocation of resources or changing contractual specifications and direct the work of employees assigned to the program/project from technical, manufacturing and administrative areas.

Responsibilities

• Acts as the primary customer contact for program activities
• Review purchase orders and participate in negotiations of contracts or contract changes
• Responsible for understanding and managing the assigned programs to their quoted budget and initiating actions at the site or with the customers as appropriate to achieve the target performance.
• Leads program review meetings and coordinates with internal groups (Engineering, Buyers, Planners, Production and Quality) to internally discuss cost, schedule and performance and to address bottlenecks
• Coordinates preparation of and monitors program milestone schedules, operating budgets and contract financial terms and conditions
• Responsible for program margin and the management of risk of a product(s) during the production phase of a build plan.
• Tracks, manages and reports program-specific non-recurring expenses to operate within budget limits.
• Tracks and reports recurring costs are operating within the quotation parameters to achieve the bid contribution margins of the program(s).
• Sets expectations and facilitates clear and open lines of communication both internally and externally.
• Communicates program status to customers, sales team, and upper management.
• Monitors all open action items and the submission of required data to the customer to ensure timely closure.
• Coordinates with customer and internal engineering for technical proposal support.
• Coordinates with estimating team on pricing package assumptions.
• Teams with estimating team and/or salesperson on developing and presenting proposals.
• Follows-up on proposal submissions with customer and/or sales team.
• As required, provides clarification to RFQ scopes of work during the proposal development process
• Participates in contract negotiations as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Occasional travel is expected.

Requirements

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related business management, finance or related engineering discipline OR 6 years related experience in lieu of Bachelor’s level degree to meet the education requirement OR an Associate’s degree in a related business management or related engineering discipline and 3 years related experience in lieu of Bachelor’s level degree to meet the education requirement.
• 3+ years’ experience in a project or program team environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Proficient in working within an ERP system.
• Experience within an aerospace manufacturing environment and familiarity with technical specifications/certifications is desired.
• PMP certification is desirable.
• Demonstrated effective leadership and timely communication skills.
• Must have the skills and experience to effectively interact with senior managers and external customers.
• In-depth knowledge of program management and relationships between line functions.
• Must have excellent negotiating skills and be very comfortable in adversarial business environments.
• Ability to quickly comprehend technical customer and engineering topics preferred.
• Must be well organized with solid judgement; able to multi-task and adjust to changing priorities.
• Must have a very good working knowledge of the standard suite of office software products (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, et al.)
• Ability to interact within a team environment with professionalism and collaboration.
• High sense of urgency in problem resolution.
• Acts in accordance with company values and related competencies.
• Must have the ability professionally compose and deliver written and oral communication. Ability to read, review and analyze communication. Clear and distinct verbal communication skills.
• Ability to solve problems and think strategically.

BETTER TALENT. BETTER OPPORTUNITY. FIND IT HERE.

Bellsearchfirm.com

Bell & Associates, Inc. is a recognized Executive Recruiting & Staffing leader based in Kansas City. We focus and specialize in the following practice areas – Accounting/Finance, Engineering, Executive Leadership, Financial Institutions, Healthcare, Human Resources, Information Technology, Manufacturing/Operations Management.  We provide top talent to our clients on a Direct Hire, Contract, and Contract-to-Hire basis.