Operations Program Manager Jobs in Chattanooga, TN

Description
BUILT TO CONNECT
Astec is a global, environmentally focused infrastructure and manufacturing company of asphalt road building and aggregate processing. Our mission is to design and build the most innovative products for the industries we serve. Leveraging innovative solutions and technologies, we serve customers all over the world.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The ideal candidate will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing New Product Development (NPD) projects within the decided-upon budget, timeline, and scope. They will also effectively monitor and present project updates to relevant stakeholders, clients, or project team members. The incumbent will also be responsible for reviewing the NPD process, establishing the governance framework, and reporting overall portfolio health to Senior Leadership team members.
Specific work assignments may be as follows: Plan and lead NPD project/program planning sessions, facilitate project status meetings, maintain complex project plans/schedules, update RAID logs, and track costs and resources for multiple projects simultaneously. The role will function independently in leading large projects and program planning sessions. Responsibilities include the preparation and pre-work for these sessions, as well as follow-up and action ownership. The position will also mentor/coach the project/program teams through the NPD project lifecycle.
This is an on-site position managing NPD portfolio, programs, and projects, specific to large heavy machinery manufacturing sites. Projects will be focused on the areas of manufacturing, engineering, production, and operations. This is not an IT project management opportunity.
Key Deliverables
• Develop and implement a robust portfolio framework to manage NPD projects. This includes defining the criteria for project selection, prioritization, and resource allocation to ensure alignment with strategic goals.
• Set up governance structures to oversee the NPD portfolio. This involves establishing decision-making processes, roles, and responsibilities to ensure effective management and accountability.
• Create comprehensive documentation for each stage of the NPD process, including idea generation, concept development, prototyping, testing, and commercialization. Ensure all documentation is accessible and understandable to all relevant stakeholders.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to clearly define the scope and objectives of NPD projects. Ensure that all technical and business requirements are identified and addressed.
• Implement strategies to ensure that all NPD projects are completed on time, within scope, and within budget. Monitor project timelines and make proactive adjustments to address any delays or issues.
• Identify and allocate resources, including personnel, equipment, and materials, to ensure the successful execution of NPD projects. Optimize resource utilization to maximize efficiency and minimize costs.
• Measure project performance using systems, tools, and techniques such as KPIs, dashboards, and performance reviews. Use data-driven insights to make informed decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• NPD program oversight may involve launching updated prototype models with enhanced features, such as improved operator comfort, visibility, or material handling. This includes advanced features like upgraded camera systems, new grade and slope control systems, and improving manufacturability through part count reduction and design commonality.
• Oversight of attaining ambitious financial objectives, including a projected gross margin and capturing unrealized market shares.
Key Activities & Responsibilities
• Developing project scopes and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders and ensuring technical feasibility
• Overseeing project processes and procedures; monitoring the productivity and performance of the project team
• Managing all aspects of projects. Setting deadlines, assigning responsibilities, and monitoring and summarizing the progress of the project
• Reviewing and ensuring adherence to project materials, deliverables, methodologies, and procedures
• Preparing and presenting program-level reporting for upper management
• Ensure that all projects are delivered on-time, within scope and within budget
• Report and escalate to management as needed
• Perform risk management to minimize project risks
• Establish and maintain relationships with third parties/vendors
• Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation
To be successful in this role, your experience and competencies are:
• Bachelor's degree or higher or equivalent combination of education and experience, and training
• 10 years of end-to-end project management experience, with a focus on new product development and introduction
• Project management experience in an industrial, engineering, and/or manufacturing environment highly preferred.
• 2+ years of leadership of a team is preferred
• Proficiency in Project Management Software (i.e., Project Insight, Asana, Microsoft Project, etc.)
• Project Management Certified (i.e., PMP, PfMP, etc.) is preferred
• Ability to confidently facilitate large-scale project planning workshops
• Effective team-building expertise
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail
• Experience in a matrix-based, marcom organization preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suites
Our Culture and Values
Employees that become part of Astec embody the values below throughout their work.
• Continuous devotion to meeting the needs of our customers
• Honesty and integrity in all aspects of business
• Respect for all individuals
• Preserving entrepreneurial spirit and innovation
• Safety, quality and productivity as means to ensure success
Travel Requirements: 10-20% of domestic travel
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Office
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to risk of injury in an office environment and occasionally a manufacturing shop plant environment. Duties include a typical office setting including extensive computer work, sitting or standing. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Astec does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person's veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.