Program Manager
Purpose
The Program Manager is responsible for managing strategic customer programs within XLR8 EMS, ensuring timely, high-quality execution that meets or exceeds customer expectations.
This position requires demonstrated experience in electronics contract manufacturing / Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS), preferably supporting customers in Aerospace, Defense, and Medical markets.
The Program Manager provides full-cycle ownership of assigned customers and programs, coordinating quoting, order entry, material readiness, production planning, engineering requirements, quality, delivery, and customer communication.
This role serves as the primary interface between customers and XLR8 EMS operations, managing program risks, priorities, dependencies, schedules, and customer commitments. The Program Manager may also provide leadership and direction to Program Management, Purchasing, Planning, and Stockroom personnel as needed.
Responsibilities
- Manage multiple strategic customer programs, providing end-to-end ownership from RFQ and order receipt through material procurement, production, shipment, invoicing, and ongoing customer support.
- Serve as the primary customer interface regarding requirements, schedules, delivery commitments, production priorities, technical issues, and program performance.
- Build and maintain strong customer relationships, particularly within Aerospace, Defense, Medical, and other high-reliability markets.
- Coordinate quotations, purchase-order acceptance, order entry, job scheduling, shipment, and invoicing.
- Collaborate with Purchasing and Planning to manage material availability, shortages, lead times, component constraints, and production requirements.
- Perform Buyer/Planner functions when required and provide accurate input into production schedules and customer delivery commitments.
- Work cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations to ensure successful program execution.
- Review and understand customer drawings, specifications, Bills of Materials (BOMs), Gerber/fabrication files, assembly documentation, revisions, and other job-specific requirements.
- Monitor program performance and proactively identify risks involving materials, capacity, quality, engineering, schedules, costs, and customer delivery commitments.
- Maintain accurate ERP and program data related to customer orders, demand, schedules, materials, production status, shipments, and program requirements.
- Manage daily priorities independently while maintaining strong organization, responsiveness, and follow-through in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Provide operational direction and support to Program Management staff, Buyers, Planners, and Stockroom personnel when appropriate.
- Train and mentor Program Managers, Buyers, and other team members as needed, including providing leadership support in the Director's absence.
- Participate in customer program reviews and internal operational meetings, communicating program status, risks, priorities, and required actions.
- Manage customer escalations through timely communication, root-cause coordination, corrective actions, and follow-through.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support customer, operational, and business requirements.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience in electronics contract manufacturing / Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS).
- Experience supporting Aerospace, Defense, and/or Medical customers within a contract-manufacturing environment.
- Strong understanding of high-reliability and regulated manufacturing environments, including documentation, configuration/revision control, traceability, quality standards, and customer-specific requirements.
- Customer-facing experience managing the complete order lifecycle, including order entry, material planning, production status, delivery, shipping, and customer communication.
- Proven ability to manage multiple customer programs with competing priorities, delivery requirements, and material constraints.
- Experience managing high-volume Requests for Quotes (RFQs), including purchasing, material/project planning, and quoting.
- Experience working with BOMs and managing discrete electronic components. Electronic component purchasing and supply-chain experience is strongly preferred.
- Working knowledge of PCB assemblies, electronic components, manufacturing documentation, assembly drawings, fabrication/Gerber files, and BOM structures.
- Ability to understand and communicate material shortages, lead times, customer demand, production constraints, and schedule impacts.
- Strong understanding of cross-functional manufacturing workflows involving Program Management, Supply Chain, Planning, Engineering, Quality, Production, and Finance.
- Ability to manage time effectively, multitask, and resolve conflicting priorities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including professional communication with customers and internal leadership.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through.
- Ability to prioritize and delegate work appropriately.
- Ability to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, with advanced Microsoft Excel skills preferred.
- Experience working in an ERP/MRP-driven manufacturing environment.
- Must meet applicable U.S. export-control eligibility requirements, including those under the EAR and ITAR, as determined by the requirements of the position.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Program/Project Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, or a related field. An additional 3–4 years of directly relevant industry experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Minimum of 4 years of Program Management, Project Management, Customer Program Management, or closely related experience within an electronics contract manufacturer / EMS provider; 7 or more years preferred.
- Direct experience supporting Aerospace, Defense, and/or Medical manufacturing customers.
- Demonstrated responsibility for full-cycle customer and product ownership, including RFQs, purchase orders, material planning, production coordination, delivery, and customer communication.
- Experience collaborating with Quality, Production, Engineering, Supply Chain/Purchasing, Planning, and Finance to achieve program objectives.
- Working knowledge of BOMs, assembly drawings, fabrication files, Gerber files, component requirements, and engineering documentation used in electronics manufacturing.
- Experience in a high-mix, customer-driven manufacturing environment with changing priorities, material constraints, and delivery requirements.
- Ability to work full-time on-site at an assigned XLR8 EMS facility.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing complex PCB assembly and box-build programs within an EMS environment.
- Experience managing programs involving long-lead-time or constrained electronic components.
- Experience supporting customer forecasts, backlog, material planning, Clear-to-Build (CTB) analysis, and production prioritization.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems used in electronics manufacturing.
- Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI), production transfers, engineering changes, and product lifecycle management.
- Experience participating in customer business reviews, program reviews, delivery recovery plans, and customer escalations.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or another recognized project/program management certification.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer may be required.
- Ability to stand and walk as necessary to access and collaborate with departments throughout XLR8 EMS manufacturing facilities.
- Ability to lift up to 20 pounds when required to perform essential job duties.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- This is a full-time, on-site position at an assigned XLR8 EMS location; remote work is not available.
- Regular local travel between company locations may be required.
- Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to meet customer requirements, production priorities, or critical deadlines.
- Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Benefits
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
