Program Manager - HOLT Manufacturing

HOLT Group•Waco, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Program Manager leads a portfolio of cross-functional execution programs that improve launch readiness, delivery performance, operating discipline, systems enablement, and scalable business execution. This role ensures major initiatives are translated into coordinated action across the business. The role owns portfolio visibility, prioritization, follow-through, and risk escalation across critical business programs while preserving functional ownership within the departments. Success in this role means fewer surprises, stronger launch and pre-production discipline, cross-functional follow-through, and consistent delivery against customer commitments. The portfolio is expected to evolve with business priorities and is not limited to the examples listed in this description. The incumbent in this position is expected to model the following practices daily: Demonstrate alignment with the company's mission and core business values; Collaborate with key internal/external resources; Participate in ongoing self-development.

Requirements

Strong understanding of how engineering release, procurement, planning, manufacturing, quality, logistics, and customer commitments interact to affect delivery
Strong command of milestone management, dependency tracking, risk escalation, readiness reviews, and execution governance
Ability to distinguish between status reporting and true execution control and follow-through
Strong business acumen and ability to translate priorities into coordinated action across multiple functions
Excellent communication and facilitation skills with the ability to create clarity, accountability, and urgency without direct authority over every function involved
Strong analytical and organizational skills with the ability to manage a broad, evolving portfolio of priorities
Solid recordkeeping and document control to ensure compliance with company policy and procedures
Ability to identify problems, force resolution, and sustain follow-through
Ability to delegate
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business, Project Management, or related field preferred, or comparable experience
Eight or more years of progressive experience in program management, project delivery, operations coordination, engineering program leadership, or cross-functional manufacturing execution required
Demonstrated experience leading a portfolio of cross-functional initiatives, not just a single project or isolated program
Strong experience coordinating execution across Engineering, Supply Chain, Planning, Operations, Quality, and customer-facing stakeholders
Experience in engineer-to-order, make-to-order, project-based, capital equipment, or similarly complex manufacturing environments strongly preferred
Experience with ERP-driven environments, launch readiness, design release coordination, or production readiness processes strongly preferred
Candidates whose background is limited to administrative project tracking without clear ownership of execution, escalation, and delivery outcomes are not likely to be successful in this role
Responsibilities include, but not limited to interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; coaching and development; appraising performance; rewarding and discipling employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Up to 10% travel may be expected between local sites, vendors, and customer-facing operations reviews
Valid driver’s license required

Nice To Haves

This position involves extended periods in a stationary position, standing, walking, and operating a forklift; additionally, occasionally kneeling, crouching, and stooping
This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines
This role frequently communicates with others, must be able to exchange accurate information in a professional manner
Occasionally moves materials or equipment weighing up to 25 lbs.
Routinely reacts to visual, auditory, and other signals, including alarms and instructions, and is required to visually inspect work

Responsibilities

Hires, develops, evaluates, and influences effective and consistent productivity and teamwork to ensure the delivery of Legendary Customer Service (LCS)
Models, promotes, reinforces, and rewards the consistent use of HOLT’s Values Based Leadership (VBL) tools, models, and processes to ensure alignment with our Vision, Values, and Mission
Owns a cross-functional execution portfolio that supports backlog delivery, launch readiness, operational scalability, and business performance improvement
Provides leadership, structure, prioritization, follow-through, and escalation across programs that may include, but are not limited to, New Product Introduction (NPI) coordination, project execution and delivery, Spray King program coordination, systems development and enhancements, shop floor continuous improvement initiatives, throughput scaling, cost and margin improvement programs, delivery reliability initiatives, data and performance visibility initiatives, and interim leadership of assigned business programs such as Logistics until permanent ownership is established
Leads launch governance, readiness checkpoints, and Engineering-to-Operations transition discipline for new and evolving products
Drives cross-functional coordination, milestone visibility, and risk escalation from order release through shipment for active projects and customer programs
Ensures each assigned program has defined objectives, ownership, milestone visibility, and escalation paths
Maintains clear visibility to program status, dependencies, changes, threatened commitments, and recovery actions
Partners with Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Planning, Operations, Quality, Sales Support, Field Service, and Accounting to align internal readiness to customer commitments
Regularly reassesses portfolio priorities based on business conditions, growth needs, customer commitments, and leadership direction
Coordinates business-driven ERP improvements, dashboards, and automation initiatives to improve execution visibility and follow-through
Supports delivery reliability, customer experience, and issue escalation processes through proactive risk identification and coordinated response
Tracks KPI alignment, program progress, and initiative ROI to support decision-making and leadership visibility
Works safely always and adheres to all applicable safety policies; complies with all company policies, procedures, and standards
Performs other duties as assigned