Program Manager

Acara Solutions is looking for a Program Manager for our client located in Gainesville, TX

• The Program Manager is the primary point of contact for external customers and is responsible for the execution of small, less complex programs or an assigned subset of a larger or more complex programs from sales transition handover through delivery of the final aircraft and closure of any open items.
• The Program Manager I is responsible for contribution margin of the production phase.
• Must keep the program in scope or to properly negotiate time and budget when the scope increases or to refuse the scope increase if it is not practical.
• Responsible for leading their integrated product team (IPT) in the daily execution of program activities.
• Responsible for implementing a product matching 100% to the one used for the cost base in the bid and to make him/her self-knowledgeable of all elements of the bid including the cost base.
• Clarifies RFQ scope of work expected by the customer with sales team or customer.
• Coordinates with estimator on pricing package assumptions.
• Coordinates with engineering for drawing and technical proposal support.
• Follows up proposal submission with customer or salesperson.
• Kicks off new programs, establish expectations, and identify pacing items.
• Manages the project scope, budget, timeline, and risks.
• Leads program status meetings and work bottlenecks.
• Communicates program status to Airframers customers, sales team, and upper management.
• Sets expectations and facilitates clear and open lines of communication both internally and externally.
• Monitors all open action items to customer to ensure timely closure.
• Monitors the submission of data items by the customer.
• Coordinates resources between divisions for programs.
• Monitors budget status on all programs with senior management.
• Coordinates the resolution of field service issues for new products delivered.
• Participates in contract negotiations.
• Teams with estimating team or salesperson on developing and presenting proposals.
• Communicates results of negotiating sessions to senior management.
• Monitors the scope of work and initiate formal changes when necessary to obtain proper concessions on prices, weights, and lead times, where appropriate.
• Tracks, manages, and reports non-recurring expenses to operate within budget limits.
• Tracks, manages, and reports recurring costs at standard to operate within the quotation parameters and achieve the bid contribution margins.
• Margins of the program, both for the non-recurring and recurring portions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Acts in accordance with company values and related competencies.

• Associate degree in a business management or engineering
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in project or program team environment/exposure.

• Bachelor's degree in Business management or Engineering
• PMP certification.
• Ability to generate written communication and to operate office equipment.
• Ability to read and review written communication.
• Speech and hearing abilities that allow individual to communicate clearly and distinctly in English.
• Ability to solve problems and think strategically.
• Demonstrated effective leadership and timely communication skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Have the skills and experience to effectively inter-act with the customer.
• In-depth knowledge of program management and relationships between line functions.
• Have excellent negotiating skills and be very comfortable in adversarial business environments.
• Be able to quickly comprehend technical customer management and engineering.
• Understand customer technical, schedule and programmatic requirements, as well as the technology and product development necessary to carry out the program to meet customer expectations.
• Be well organized with solid judgement; able to multitask and adjust to changing priorities.
• Be fully accountable and properly present to manage a good estimate to compete for the completion of the NRC phase of the program.
• After the expense on the program has reached 25% to 35% of the initial quote, sufficient knowledge of the program must have been gained for the program manager to be able to display the ultimate estimate at completion with an error margin of no more than or minus 15%.
• Have a very good working knowledge of the standard suite of office software products (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project, et al.)

Additional Information:

• Upon offer of employment, the individual will be subject to a background check and a drug screen
• This position requires extended periods of sitting while working with computers and viewing computer monitors and other office equipment.
• Finger dexterity needed in using misc. office equipment such as telephone, computer, and copy machine.
• Bending, stooping, reaching, and lifting to approximately twenty pounds are during tasks related to the job.
• Be willing and able to travel domestically and internationally for business.
• Also, reasonable customer entertainment.