Project Specialist SME

Summary The Operations Subject Matter Expert (SME) is responsible for leading cross-functional operational recovery efforts to return critical programs and projects from Red/Yellow status to Green status by driving schedule adherence, process improvement, resource optimization, and execution discipline. This role serves as a hands-on operational leader working across manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, quality, customer, and program management platforms to identify constraints, remove bottlenecks, implement corrective actions, and restore customer confidence. Essential Functions Assess current project performance, identify root causes of schedule delays, and develop corrective action plans that return assigned programs to Green status against schedule, cost, quality, and delivery metrics. Establish and manage recovery schedules with clear milestones, ownership, priorities, accountability, and executive-level visibility. Lead coordination across manufacturing, engineering, procurement, supply chain, quality, customer support, and program management teams to align priorities and execution activities. Drive daily, weekly, and monthly execution reviews to monitor recovery plan progress, remove barriers, mitigate risks, and escalate critical issues impacting customer commitments. Evaluate production flow, capacity constraints, staffing requirements, material availability, supplier readiness, and inventory planning to improve on-time delivery performance. Apply Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma, and operational excellence principles to implement sustainable process improvements and prevent future schedule degradation.