Senior Manager of Programs at II-VI Aerospace & Defense in Murrieta, California

Job Description:

Are you a strategic leader with a passion for driving complex programs for success? We're looking for a Senior Manager of Programs to lead a dynamic team of program managers, ensuring effective execution of project management duties related to people management, customer communication, providing information to the operation, forecasting follow-on requirements, new opportunities and tracking profitability and schedule adherence for projects managed within the group. This role is pivotal in managing existing development and production contracts with responsibility for schedule and financial performance and act as the primary customer interface for all technical and project related issues and support. Interface will also be required with key vendors in addition to aiding with sales and marketing with the development of potential new contracts.

Your expertise in optical fabrication, government contracting, and cross-functional leadership will be instrumental in achieving business growth and operational excellence. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy mentoring teams, shaping strategy, and making a direct impact, come join us!

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

People Management - 30%

• Interpersonal Effectiveness: Deals effectively with differences of opinion and manner; draws ideas from others; negotiates; mediates
• Teamwork: Develops a cohesive work group; facilitates commitment and enthusiasm; assures cooperation and coordination among peer departments
• Communications: Expresses ideas accurately and succinctly in oral and written form; effectively listens and assimilates; presents organized trains of thought, assures timely information exchange
• Leadership: Sets example through commitment, energy, positive attitude and personal productivity; engenders individual and team enthusiasm, motivation, commitment and productivity.
• Manages team to set effective goals. Provides meaningful training opportunities and mentoring. Performance reviews are provided in a timely manner and department processes are developed and managed.

Sales Support - 20%

• Assist in developing contract statement-of-work objectives or similar documents as early as possible with customers to influence language that will benefit Coherent
• Support Sales Account Management with technical and other proposal documents for submission on appropriate project opportunities. May be asked to support negotiations on assigned proposals for the group
• Required reporting for contracts solicitations are prepared in a professional and timely manner.
• Assumes ultimate responsibility for assigned contract solicitations for the department and for projects managed.
• Thorough understanding of all proposal terms and conditions.
• Responsible for setting strategy and tone in contentious customer situations where management escalation occurs.

Program/Contract Execution (Schedule, Budget and documentation) - 30%

• Project budgets are developed and tracked accurately on a regular basis. Actual costs incurred, cost commitments and estimated cost of completion are reviewed timely and accurately updated.
• Project schedules are developed with operations and communicated with the customer on a regular basis. Schedule recovery plans are developed and submitted in a timely manner to customer.
• Customer information is communicated accurately and in a timely manner to appropriate internal personnel. Required input is screened for accuracy and presented appropriately.
• Responsible for drafting department standard operating processes and executing training and implementation.
• Proactively identifies areas of risk and takes appropriate action to minimize these risks in areas such as additional resource needs that could cause project cost and schedule issues.
• Prepares, distributes and reviews a summary project status monthly to the business management team which describes project delivery and quality status, financial results as compared to budget and potential project risks and opportunities for the department.
• Contract files and communication are effectively documented and maintained that clearly describes the history and progress and key decisions related to a project.

Business Development - 15%

• Effective Customer interaction to develop new product leads that are coordinated with the Sales Account Managers.
• Responsible for ensuring a strategic approach to new customers and opportunities is coordinated with Business Development and Project Managers are calibrated to strategy for individual customers as appropriate.

Safety - 5%

• All applicable company policies are adhered to and enforced where required.
• Ensures all required surveys, studies and periodic checks are performed. Ensures any identified hazards/concerns are addressed promptly. Performs root cause analysis and education/awareness to ensure non-recurrence.
• Promotes positive health and safety behaviors within the department. Publishes and shares safety metrics/data with employees; ensures safety meetings are held and are pertinent to the work performed.

Education & Experience

• B.S Degree in a technical field such as Engineering, preferably Optical or Mechanical Engineering. Equivalent experience and certification may be substituted for education
• Minimum 12+ years of experience in project/operations/engineering management. 7+ years of experience acting as a people manager with several direct reports, full schedules and financial responsibility. Strong preference for candidates with experience working in optical fabrication and with government contracts

Skills

• Ability, flexibility, versatility and comfort level for working with multiple individuals and personalities.
• Demonstrated ability for leadership, coordinating technology development, negotiating technology transfer, business development, creation of and/or leadership of inter-company teams, assistance with product sales and service.
• Capable of recruiting, training and mentoring project managers.
• Proficiency in MS office and other modern information technology applications if required
• Advanced skills using Microsoft Projects and other software packages tools are required to effectively plan and coordinate with customers, vendors and internal communication/reporting.
• Understands, supports and strives to continuously improve the business policies, procedures and systems in place.
• Ability to effectively assume the role or act as a back-up to the Product Line Leader if required to do so.

Licenses/Certifications:

• PMP - Helpful but not required
• Six Sigma - Helpful but not required
• Other certificates related to optical fabrication and/or government contracting as applicable

Behavior Competencies: Building, Developing and Managing a Successful Team; Customer Focus; Establishing Strategic Direction; Facilitating Change; Leadership; Planning and Organizing; Problem Solving, Decision Making and Continuous Improvement; Professional and Technical Knowledge and Skills; Results Oriented; Teamwork and Conflict Management

Working Conditions

Job operates in a professional environment. Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Noise level - moderate.

Physical Requirements

Walking, talking, hearing, use of hands/fingers to type/handle, Sedentary work.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company's values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity - Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration - Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability - Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect - Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm - Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations (ITAR), applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8. U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.\"Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.Manages Programs department consisting of various program managers and ensures effective execution of project management duties related to people management, customer communication, providing information to the operation, forecasting follow-on requirements, new opportunities and tracking profitability and schedule adherence for projects managed within the group. In addition, this candidate will manage existing development and production contracts with responsibility for schedule and financial performance and act as the primary customer interface for all technical and project related issues and support. Interface will also be required with key vendors in addition to aiding with sales and marketing with the development of potential new contracts.

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