Program Manager

About the role

The Program Manager (PM) serves as the single point of accountability for assigned product lines and customer contracts at Riverside Manufacturing. The PM owns the customer relationship and is responsible for coordinating across Engineering, Manufacturing, and Sales to ensure on-time delivery, quality conformance, and customer satisfaction from initial quote through program completion.

Responsibilities

• Customer Relationship Management
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned customers throughout the program lifecycle.
  • Communicate program status, schedule updates, risks, and corrective actions proactively.
  • Manage customer expectations and resolve issues before they escalate.
  • Participate in customer visits, program reviews, and business development meetings.
• Engineering Coordination
  • Translate customer requirements into actionable engineering deliverables.
  • Drive timely resolution of design changes, ECOs, PCNs, and technical queries.
  • Ensure design-for-manufacturability considerations are captured early in the program.
  • Track and communicate engineering milestones and risks to stakeholders.
• Manufacturing Execution
  • Collaborate with Production to ensure schedules align with customer commitments.
  • Monitor production milestones, flag capacity constraints, and escalate as needed.
  • Partner with Quality on non-conformances, corrective actions, and customer returns.
  • Support make/buy decisions and supplier qualification activities.
• Sales & Business Development
  • Coordinate with Sales on quoting, pricing strategy, and proposal development.
  • Identify and communicate new business opportunities within existing accounts.
  • Support contract review, terms negotiation, and order entry activities.
  • Maintain awareness of competitive landscape and customer roadmap.
• Program Control
  • Maintain program schedules, budgets, and action item logs.
  • Conduct regular cross-functional program reviews and publish meeting minutes.
  • Manage risks and maintain a program risk register with mitigation plans.
  • Ensure compliance with customer flowdowns, export control, and contractual obligations.

Qualifications

• Required
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Manufacturing, or related field.
  • 3–5 years of experience in program or project management in a manufacturing environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with customer‑facing experience.
  • Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Preferred
  • Experience in defense, aerospace, or regulated manufacturing (ITAR, DFARS, AS9100, IATF 16949).
  • PMP, CAPM, or equivalent project management certification.
  • Familiarity with lean manufacturing, APQP, or NPI processes.
  • Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings and specifications.

Work Environment

This position operates in both office and manufacturing floor environments. The Program Manager is expected to be present on the production floor regularly to maintain operational awareness. Some travel to customer and supplier sites is required (estimated 10–20%).