Senior Program Manager - Production Operations

Leonardo DRS, Inc.•Goose Creek, SC

About The Position

The Senior Program Manager - Production Operations manages production programs from initiation through completion, ensuring contractual requirements and cost, schedule, lead time, capacity, and performance goals are met. The role works closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and program teams to drive production planning and readiness, support new product integration and production engineering decisions, and coordinate communication with internal and external customers. The position leads program or project teams, oversees plans and execution, manages contract budgets and risks, tracks cost and schedule performance, and develops corrective actions when plans deviate. It serves as a primary customer interface for contract execution and coordinates with Contracts Administration and other departments to resolve contractual matters. The role may also support bids and proposals, business development, negotiations, material execution, and process and system improvements. It ensures regulatory and company-policy compliance and timely program closeout. Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems provides naval gas and hybrid power systems, control technology, and support solutions for the U.S. Navy and navies worldwide. The company offers competitive salaries and benefits, though some employees are eligible for limited benefits only.

Requirements

At least 7 years of relevant experience.
Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of program management tools and procedures.
Solid leadership and management skills.
Experience across the program lifecycle, from development through sustainment, including proposal development, requirements decomposition, system and subsystem statements of work and subcontracts, risk management, and continuous improvement.
Experience with earned value cost accounting and reporting, and with metrics for program progress, productivity, and variance analysis.
Experience in finance, contracting, export regulations, engineering, logistics, manufacturing, and supply chain management.
Solid problem-solving skills.
Strong presentation skills.
Experience managing manpower planning, project reviews, scheduling, and budget control.
Ability to manage aerospace or defense programs as a prime or subcontractor to a domestic or foreign military organization.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
U.S. citizenship required.
The position may require an active Department of Defense security clearance or the ability to obtain one within a reasonable time after starting employment.

Nice To Haves

An Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, or Business degree may be preferred, depending on the job discipline.
Program Management certification, such as PMP or DAU, preferred.
Depending on job discipline, may require 7 or more years in DoD program and/or materials management and production manufacturing operations using MRP/ERP.
Depending on job discipline, may require knowledge of DoD FAR procurement regulations.
Depending on job discipline, may require knowledge of MRP/ERP and a solid understanding of electro-mechanical assembly operations, bills of material, demand material planning, and supply chain purchasing.

Responsibilities

Manage production programs from start through completion, ensuring contract requirements and cost, schedule, lead time, capacity, and performance goals are met.
Coordinate with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, program teams, and customers on production planning, readiness, and contract matters.
Provide contractual communication and coordination with internal and external customers regarding production operations contracts.
Plan, communicate, and achieve program objectives through the program or project team.
Ensure production readiness for new programs and awards and participate in production engineering decisions during new product integration.
Develop and execute plans to meet or exceed contract requirements and the Internal Operating Plan.
Manage development programs, projects, and defined technical programs; track plans from start through completion.
Lead or oversee program teams, promote communication and cooperation, and resolve conflicts.
Participate in bid and proposal activities, ensuring requests for proposal requirements are addressed in submissions for existing customers.
Seek new business opportunities in coordination with Business Development.
Represent management at program reviews, meetings, seminars, and similar events.
Prepare for and participate in contract and subcontract negotiations while protecting company interests and adhering to government regulatory guidance.
Allocate and control contract budgets for labor, material, travel, and purchased services; report program status to senior management.
Identify, assess, monitor, and mitigate risks throughout the program life cycle; obtain management approval for decisions that would deteriorate established program, cost, or schedule objectives.
Oversee material execution on schedule and within budget when required, and collaborate with project teams on related tasks and engineering changes.
Notify senior management of schedule and budget problems, develop corrective action plans, and perform schedule and cost variance analysis, including earned value analysis.
Serve as the primary customer interface on contract execution and coordinate resolution of contractual problems with other departments.
Coordinate with Contracts Administration on contract requirements, changes, and interpretations.
Ensure contract requirements are executed in accordance with applicable regulations and company policies and procedures, including Federal Acquisition Regulations.
Ensure completed programs are closed out promptly, obligations are satisfied, and program documentation is properly recorded.
Understand and develop leading and lagging indicators, and develop and execute program corrective action strategies.
Partner with stakeholders on planning-process and system improvements as needed.
Develop understanding of program planning, cash-flow management, and process improvement principles, including Lean Six Sigma.
Support, communicate, reinforce, and defend the organization's mission, values, and culture.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Company contribution to a health savings account.
Telemedicine.
Life and disability insurance.
Legal insurance.
401(k) savings plan.
Wellness programs focused on physical, emotional, and financial well-being.
Career-growth, professional development, and skill-enhancement programs and activities.
Flexible work schedules through a 9/80 program.
Competitive vacation.
Health and emergency leave.
Paid parental leave.
Community service hours.