Operations Program Manager

About the role

Jabil (NYSE: JBL) is a trusted partner for the world’s top brands, offering comprehensive engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing solutions. With 60 years of experience across industries and a network of over 100 sites worldwide, Jabil combines global reach with local expertise to deliver scalable and customized solutions while building sustainable processes that minimize environmental impact and foster vibrant, diverse communities.

This position is on‑site at our Prince George, VA facility and will support a new factory startup manufacturing large form‑factor equipment (shipping‑container size, 50 + tons, complex). The role is part of the core factory startup and onboarding team responsible for building operations and manufacturing staff, fitting out the building, and creating process flows, work instructions, and related documentation from the ground up. Required skills include panel and point‑to‑point wire assembly, medium‑voltage, low‑voltage, and high‑power electronic assemblies.

Responsibilities

• Lead customer programs from quotation through production and product lifecycle management.
• Own and drive the site’s Product Lifecycle Commercial Management (PLCM) process.
• Coordinate cross‑functional teams including Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, EHS, Finance, and Human Resources.
• Develop and manage program schedules, milestones, budgets, risks, and resource plans.
• Monitor program performance related to cost, quality, delivery, and customer satisfaction.
• Lead customer reviews, business reviews, and operational status meetings.
• Drive successful new product introductions (NPI), product transfers, and manufacturing launch activities.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives across the site.
• Facilitate value‑stream mapping, kaizen events, waste‑reduction efforts, and operational improvement projects.
• Develop and deploy systems that improve productivity, quality, delivery, inventory management, and cost performance.
• Lead root‑cause analysis and problem‑solving initiatives to improve operational effectiveness.
• Coach and mentor leaders, engineers, supervisors, and operators on Lean principles and continuous‑improvement methodologies.
• Track and validate operational improvements, cost savings, and business results.
• Support strategic planning and organizational development initiatives.
• Champion safety, quality, compliance, and operational excellence across the facility.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or a related discipline required; Master’s degree is a plus.
• 5 + years of experience in Program Management, Manufacturing, Operations, Engineering, Continuous Improvement, or related leadership roles.
• Experience managing customer programs and leading cross‑functional teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting new product introductions (NPI), manufacturing launches, or startup operations.
• Experience leading Lean Manufacturing and continuous‑improvement initiatives.
• Experience supporting large form‑factor manufacturing, industrial equipment, power systems, heavy machinery, switchgear, electrical assemblies, or other complex engineered products is highly preferred.
• Experience working in a high‑mix, low‑volume or engineered‑to‑order manufacturing environment is a plus.

Qualifications

• Strong program and project management skills with the ability to manage complex initiatives simultaneously.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing operations, product lifecycle management, and operational excellence principles.
• Proven leadership experience driving cross‑functional collaboration and organizational change.
• Strong expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Industrial Engineering, and problem‑solving methodologies.
• Experience leading value‑stream mapping, kaizen events, and process‑optimization initiatives.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance customer requirements, operational objectives, and financial performance.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical capabilities, including root‑cause analysis, process improvement, and performance‑metrics management.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels without direct authority.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and manufacturing business systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification strongly preferred.
• Experience leading large‑scale Lean transformations or operational‑excellence programs.
• Experience in factory startup, greenfield manufacturing, or facility expansion projects.
• Knowledge of panel assembly, point‑to‑point wiring, medium‑voltage systems, low‑voltage systems, or high‑power electronic assemblies.
• Experience supporting customer‑facing program management within contract manufacturing or industrial manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated success driving cost reduction, productivity improvement, and organizational development initiatives.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• 401(k) retirement plan and employee stock purchase plan.
• Paid time off.
• Short‑term incentive based on performance (part of the total rewards package).

Pay

The pay range for this role is $100,100 – $180,200. Job‑related, non‑discriminatory factors used to determine the actual offered rate include qualifications and experience, geographic location, education, external market data, and consideration of internal equity.