Quality Program Manager

Ciena•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact. Join Ciena as a Quality Program Manager and Drive Strategic Quality Initiatives Are you passionate about leading impactful quality initiatives, managing cross-functional projects, and delivering measurable improvements? At Ciena, we’re looking for a Quality Program Manager to elevate product performance, streamline processes, and enhance customer satisfaction. Reporting to the Director of Quality, this role offers the opportunity to collaborate with diverse teams, solve complex challenges, and contribute to the future of networking technology. How You Will Contribute: Lead and manage cross-functional quality programs and projects from inception to completion, aligning with business objectives and timelines. Develop and execute comprehensive project plans, including scope, deliverables, schedules, dependencies, and risk mitigation strategies. Drive initiatives for product quality improvement, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency through collaboration and corrective actions. Analyze complex data sets to uncover trends, identify root causes, and provide actionable insights using tools like Power BI, Excel, and other analytics platforms. Partner with internal teams (R&D, Supply Chain, PLM) and external stakeholders to resolve product and customer quality concerns, fostering alignment and accountability. Optimize quality assurance processes and implement best practices for program management and quality standards. Serve as an escalation point for risk management, project challenges, and stakeholder concerns.

Requirements

PMP, PgMP, or equivalent certification, with proven success in managing complex projects and programs.
Minimum of 2 years of experience in program/project management, quality assurance, or business operations.
Strong statistical analysis skills and ability to interpret data to drive insights and decisions.
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to build trust and alignment across diverse teams and stakeholders.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, Power BI); familiarity with tools like SQL, Salesforce, JIRA, and AI tools/design is a plus.
B.S. degree in Business Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, or related technical field.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Quality Management Systems (QMS), standards, and practices.
Prior experience in customer communications, software application testing, or quality assurance processes.
Strategic thinker with a passion for driving quality-focused initiatives and delivering measurable results.
Collaborative team player who thrives in cross-functional environments, including virtual and site-based teams.
Detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to balance competing priorities and ensure timely delivery of projects.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage cross-functional quality programs and projects from inception to completion, aligning with business objectives and timelines.
Develop and execute comprehensive project plans, including scope, deliverables, schedules, dependencies, and risk mitigation strategies.
Drive initiatives for product quality improvement, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency through collaboration and corrective actions.
Analyze complex data sets to uncover trends, identify root causes, and provide actionable insights using tools like Power BI, Excel, and other analytics platforms.
Partner with internal teams (R&D, Supply Chain, PLM) and external stakeholders to resolve product and customer quality concerns, fostering alignment and accountability.
Optimize quality assurance processes and implement best practices for program management and quality standards.
Serve as an escalation point for risk management, project challenges, and stakeholder concerns.