Hiring: Program Operations Manager Company: ND Defense Location: West Point, MS Job Posted Time: 2026-09-16 18:10:27 Employment Type: Contract Target Skills & Keywords : Embedded Systems, Program Management About the job Required Skills: •Own and maintain the master production schedule for the facility, including demand versus capacity analysis, work order sequencing, material availability, and load leveling across concurrent programs. •Maintain a consolidated execution picture for every active program at the facility, covering schedule position, constraints, risks, and open commitments. •Own the cross-program open item register. Assign owners and due dates, track aging items, and drive closure. Escalate to the Sr. Director of Manufacturing when items stall or require decisions above the incumbent’s authority. •Establish and run the facility program review cadence, including agenda, standard status format, and input requirements from area managers and functional owners. •Supervise, mentor, and develop the facility Program Manager. Establish a structured development plan covering program planning discipline, schedule construction and maintenance, risk identification, customer communication, and contract awareness. Provide direct coaching through live program work rather than periodic review alone. •Review and coach on customer-facing program status material prior to release, with the objective of building the Program Manager’s independent capability over time. •Identify schedule and resource conflicts across programs and present the Sr. Director of Manufacturing with analyzed options rather than unresolved problems. •Produce and distribute program status communications to plant leadership, functional teams, and corporate leadership on a defined schedule. Qualifications: •Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, supply chain, operations management, or a related field. Degree is required for this position. •Minimum eight (8) years of combined professional experience with demonstrated depth in both program management and manufacturing operations. Both areas are required; candidates strong in one and light in the other do not meet this requirement. •Minimum five (5) years managing programs directly, with accountability for cost, schedule, and deliverable commitments, including direct customer interface. Hands-on program management is required; program support or coordination experience alone does not satisfy this requirement. •Demonstrated manufacturing operations experience in a production environment, including direct involvement in production planning, scheduling, capacity management, and shop floor execution. •Demonstrated ownership of a master production schedule or equivalent production planning function. •Demonstrated experience developing or mentoring less experienced program management personnel. Candidates should be prepared to describe specific individuals developed, the development approach used, and the outcome. •Working proficiency in ERP or MRP systems for production scheduling and material planning. •Demonstrated ability to hold functional peers and senior personnel accountable to committed dates and deliverables without direct reporting authority. •Strong written communication skills. A substantial portion of this role’s output is written status material read by executive leadership and customers. •Must be a U.S. person as defined under ITAR 22 CFR 120.62. Compensation: •$145,000 - $160,000 / year Interested candidates, please apply directly through the job posting on company's career page or try via AI auto apply on this platform. Don't miss this opportunity to join a forward-thinking team!