Aerospace Defense Program Manager

We are currently seeking an Aerospace Defense Program Manager to join our team. We specialize in creating adhesive bonded fastening to bear on the technical challenges of the marine, energy, and other industrial sectors. The ideal candidate will offer technical support for product applications to customers. The Senior Program Manager, Defense leads efforts to ensure top-level service and support for key defense programs and related business areas. This involves aligning strategies, setting priorities, and driving timely project execution to foster customer relationships and ensure program profitability and sustainability.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Overseeing management of key defense customer targets and active programs.
• Providing guidance and support to the team in demand creation, technical support, and functions related to growth and sustainability of key defense accounts (with focus on LMCO and NGC).
• Setting priorities for the field technical support group, covering areas such as training, problem resolution, design changes implementation, testing, and validation.
• Assisting in defining and documenting new business proposals, including work scope, translating voice of customer (VOC) into product or service requirements, timing, resource needs, responsibilities, and budget requirements.
• Managing customer liaison on projects, conducting program status reviews, and overseeing project budgets.
• Handling customer change requests and related cost and pricing implications.
• Ensuring proactive communication with customers regarding lead time changes, material shortages, or any risks affecting supply continuity or timely execution of commitments.
• Reviewing defense program dashboards and scorecards, sharing findings through CRM tool (SalesForce).
• Monitoring customer demand and identifying potential drivers of change to forecast short- and long-term requirements.
• Participating in the Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) monthly cycle by providing latest program demand information to plan inventory levels, future shipments, capital equipment, and labor needs.
• Collaborating cross-functionally internally to resolve quality issues or service delays, while keeping customers updated on resolution progress.
• Coordinating with Distribution Sales Manager to ensure optimal global inventory levels and channel service excellence to support program requirements.
• Traveling to meet with target customers and defense program partners for business reviews and deploying continuous improvement plans.
• Working with strategic marketing and Business Excellence (BEX) teams to communicate program information, update websites, initiate communication efforts, deliver customer presentations, and engage in relevant social media activity pertaining to targeted defense programs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business or relevant field, or equivalent skills and experience.
• Proficiency in manufacturing planning, procurement, and defense contract negotiations.
• Proven track record of motivating and leading cross-functional teams.
• Experience in customer relations, managing requirements, and identifying new business opportunities.
• Fundamental understanding of manufacturing technology, products, and applications within the Defense market sector.
• Proficient in computer usage, including familiarity with Project Management tools and CRM systems, preferably Salesforce.com.
• Ability to analyze demand and forecast data for performance metrics and anticipation of market trends.
• Competence in Microsoft Office suite, particularly MS Project, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Previous experience working with multiple platforms or systems.