Program Management Manager

Program Management Manager

Who are we?

Founded in 1849, Ducommun is the oldest company in California. Starting as a hardware supply store during the California Gold Rush and eventually assisted in the birth of the aerospace industry in Southern California by providing aircraft aluminum to early aerospace pioneers like Lindbergh, Douglas and Lockheed.

Today Ducommun is a global provider of innovative manufacturing solutions for customers in the aerospace, defense and industrial markets. We specialize in electronic and structural systems, producing complex products and components for commercial aircraft platforms, mission-critical military and space programs, and sophisticated industrial applications.

Our Facility in Joplin, MO manufactures state-of-the-art wiring harnesses for Aerospace and Defense as well as Industrial and Medical Industries.

Job Summary

Program Management Leadership:

• Provides direct leadership, coaching, and performance management to Program Managers and Program Management Assistants.
• Maintains direct responsibility for selected programs while balancing functional leadership responsibilities.
• Ensures appropriate workload balancing and resource allocation across Program Managers and Program Management Assistants.
• Establishes department priorities and allocates resources across programs.
• Develops department goals, KPIs, and functional metrics.
• Partners with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, and Business Development to resolve cross-functional issues and remove barriers to program execution.
• Conducts performance evaluations and succession planning.
• Standardizes Program Management processes and best practices.
• Leads corrective actions and recovery plans for at-risk programs.
• Serves as escalation point for significant customer or program issues.
• Promotes Lean and continuous improvement throughout the Program Management organization.

Focal point for customer communication and interface:

• Manages communications and relationships between Ducommun and its customers, including communication and tracking of customer scorecards and surveys.
• Focal / Leader for the Integrated Product Team (IPT).
• Represents the company in contacts with the customer and outside parties for all issues concerning the assigned program.
• Provides timely notification to management and customers regarding program cost, quality, or schedule impacts.
• Executes the New Product Introduction (NPI) Phase Gate Process.
• Provides a coordinated company response to customer requirements (commercial and technical) and inquiries (voice of the customer).
• Presents program reviews to customers.

Internal Communication and interface:

• Communicates within the IPT to ensure proper coordination of customer requirements (schedule, recovery plans, reports, etc.) and that the company's capabilities and business interests support customer requests.
• Manages the program team to ensure efficient and effective goal attainment in support of Program Management functional metrics, corporate policy, regulatory requirements, and budget parameters.
• Coordinates technical and operational requirements with stakeholders to ensure the voice of the customer is achieved.
• Coordinates financial controls to integrate time-phased budgets and program schedules that support contractual commitments and company goals.
• Communicates customer cost reduction and process improvement goals to company management and coordinates responses that highlight the company's commitment to continuous improvement.
• Champions/leads Kaizen and Lean activities that drive improvement in both operational and administrative areas.
• Provides oversight of Program Management backlog/booking input into the MRP system to ensure alignment with company goals.
• Presents program reviews to Senior Leadership.

Contract Management:

• Analyzes and reviews all contracts to verify Terms and Conditions, Work Statements, Funding, Performance Periods, Deliverables, and other customer General Conditions. Coordinates review of terms and conditions with the DCO Director of Contracts as necessary.
• Develops negotiation strategies and provides leadership and support for customer negotiations as required.
• Manages and tracks program compliance with purchase order requirements.
• Prepares and coordinates customer assertions and claims in accordance with contractual requirements.

Operational Management:

• Partners with Operations Management to ensure program requirements are translated into executable operational plans.
• Monitors operational performance related to cost, quality, delivery, and schedule attainment.
• Supports development and execution of key performance indicators and monthly performance metrics.
• Coordinates staffing requirements and Integrated Product Team (IPT) development to support program objectives.
• Provides input regarding capital expenditures, capacity planning, and maintenance activities necessary to support customer requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve operational issues and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Fiscal Management:

• Reviews program performance to provide ongoing visibility for project cost, margin and schedule (actual vs. projected).
• Provides input to Finance for individual program cash flow plans.
• Supports the Finance Department for invoice submittal and in resolving late payment receipts and customer claims/assertions.

Business Development and Program Growth:

• Provides oversight and management of business unit bookings, backlog, past due receivables, and sales forecasts.
• Manages and maintains business unit booking and sales tracking system that supports the company monthly summary reports.
• Coordinates planning and acquisition of follow-on business within the lead time constraints.
• Coordinates with Business Development to identify, strategize and capture new business opportunities.
• Travels as required to support customer relationships, program reviews, and business growth initiatives.
• Supports customer cost reduction and process improvement activities that demonstrate the company's commitment to continuous improvement.
• Supports incorporation of Lean methodologies, including Kaizen events, standard work, and value stream mapping.

Proposal Management and Customer Audits:

• Provides leadership and oversight for proposal development and customer submissions for new and follow-on business
• Partners with Estimating, Engineering, Operations, and Finance to ensure proposal cost, schedule, and capital requirements are accurate and support business objectives.
• Reviews and approves proposal strategies and supports customer negotiations as required.
• Ensures proposal priorities and resources are aligned across the Program Management organization.
• Ensures readiness and supports customer, DCAA, and DCMA audits.

• Responsible for protecting and maintaining all Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) appropriately to prevent unauthorized access, dissemination, or use of this information, documentation, or products; including authorized and proper use of such information in regard to marking, storing, transmitting, and destruction of data.
• Support all visitors and security policies to protect ITAR/EAR/CMMC/CUI information, documents, products, etc. from unauthorized access by informing management immediately of any concerns.
• Responsible for the proper handling and management of hazardous waste generated in employee's work area.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Regular and acceptable attendance is an essential function of this job.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Must possess the ability to lead without authority, negotiate and manage by influence.
• Strong people and time management skills are required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. Must be able to communicate effectively and professionally with customers and across all organizational levels.
• Experience in production control, contracts management, project management or contracts management, are key talents.
• Detail oriented, positive friendly customer service are key attributes.
• Computer knowledge and skills, i.e. MS Office Suite - Word, Power Point and Excel skills are required.
• Basic understanding of lean and six sigma principles and methodologies.
• Experience with MRP systems is beneficial.
• Team oriented with a continuous improvement outlook.

Required Experience and Education

• BA/BS degree required, MBA preferred.
• 7+ years in an aerospace or manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing programs or portfolios with annual revenues exceeding $25 million preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of supervisory or team leadership experience
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple programs simultaneously.
• Experience developing employees and driving organizational performance preferred.

Licenses, Certifications, etc.

• CAPM, Contracts Administration, or related project management certifications are a plus
• PMP certification preferred

Equal Opportunity Employer
Veterans/Disabled

1505 Maiden Lane
Joplin, Missouri, 64801
United States