What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Manager position at Velocity Resource Group?
Program Manager
Position Summary
The Program Manager (PM) is responsible for transforming awarded business into successful production launches and realized sales. This role leads cross-functional teams through new product launches, coordinating Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Operations, and Account Management to meet customer commitments while fostering urgency, accountability, and proactive communication.
The Program Manager also works directly with customers and suppliers to build strong relationships that support successful program execution and future business opportunities.
Essential Functions
- Manage assigned programs from customer award through Start of Production (SOP) and post-SOP production readiness, ensuring targets for delivery, budget, quality, and profitability are achieved.
- Lead cross-functional execution across Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Operations, and Account Management.
- Facilitate decisions, assign actions, track deliverables, and escalate issues when additional support is required.
- Understand and prioritize launches based on their financial impact and contribution to EQI’s growth, allocating resources accordingly.
- Manage program budgets to achieve profitability targets for development and tooling costs.
- Conduct post-SOP “as-launched” margin reviews and drive corrective actions when financial targets are not met.
- Establish and lead structured program-management cadences, including internal reviews and timely, proactive customer updates.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for customers throughout the program lifecycle.
- Apply and continually improve the Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) Gate framework to strengthen accountability and the quality of program outcomes.
- Identify risks early, develop response options, lead mitigation efforts, and escalate concerns when necessary.
- Provide leadership and key stakeholders with clear visibility into program status, risks, priorities, and action plans.
- Communicate clearly and effectively across the organization and with customers and suppliers.
- Support RFQ and program-award transitions by providing input on schedules, feasibility, resource requirements, and risk.
- Mentor colleagues and model strong program-leadership behaviors throughout the organization.
- Continuously improve the APQP process and other business processes that directly or indirectly support successful program launches.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology, Business, or a related field.
- Five or more years of experience in program management, project management, or a related cross-functional leadership role.
- Strong ability to navigate, leverage, and continually improve EQI’s project-management, RFQ, and ERP systems.
- Demonstrated success leading complex, global programs and driving accountability without direct authority.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally approximately 5–20%.
- Ability to accommodate global team schedules when required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Project-management certification, such as PMP or CAPM.
- Experience supporting manufactured products or global supply chains.
- Working knowledge of metal components, machining, or casting processes sufficient to assess program risk and production readiness.
- Familiarity with supplier quality systems, APQP, and production-launch principles.