Strategic Programs Manager Jobs in Arkansas (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Program Manager
Job Description
The Program Manager leads strategic programs through the New Product Introduction (NPI) and Customer Produced Product Transfer (CPPT) processes, ensuring successful launches that are critical to revenue, profitability, and future business opportunities. This role manages a key market segment, mentors program managers, and regularly reports NPI progress to leadership. The position requires strong cross-functional leadership, financial acumen, and the ability to drive complex electronic and contract manufacturing programs from quote through production.
Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the New Product Introduction (NPI) and Customer Produced Product Transfer (CPPT) processes for strategic programs that are essential to revenue growth, profitability, and future business opportunities.
• Report NPI and program progress frequently to Director and Officer level leadership, providing clear, data-driven updates and recommendations.
• Evaluate existing NPI processes and procedures, identify gaps, and recommend and implement improvements to enhance efficiency, quality, and time-to-market.
• Manage an assigned market segment by mentoring lower-level Program Managers, monitoring program status, and ensuring alignment with overall business objectives.
• Form and lead cross-functional launch teams, schedule and drive regular team meetings, and ensure effective collaboration across engineering, operations, finance, and other functional groups.
• Generate, track, and maintain cross-functional action item lists and NPI checklist archives to ensure accountability and project transparency.
• Assess program and process risks, develop mitigation strategies, implement changes, and clearly communicate responsibilities and expectations across the organization.
• Manage and mentor the strategic quoting process and the Request for Quote (RFQ) lifecycle, ensuring accuracy, competitiveness, and alignment with company strategy.
• Elevate critical issues and risks to upper management in a timely manner, providing options, impact analysis, and recommended actions.
• Perform and interpret complex financial analyses for programs, including incremental margin, fixed and variable costing, absorption, departmental rate determination, and overall financial performance.
• Negotiate and administer contracts using a strategic understanding of the customer's business scope, internal sales strategy, and the RFQ process.
• Assess customer needs and adapt the business model, processes, and communication across functional groups to ensure program success and strong customer relationships.
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of functional departments, identify potential areas of concern, and assist in resolving cross-functional issues.
• Generate, maintain, and publish periodic reports on cost, quality, and delivery, including revenue plans and product roadmaps, to inform stakeholders and guide decision-making.
• Interact and communicate effectively with all levels of management, customers, and internal teams, both technically and professionally, in written and oral form.
• Define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions to support program decisions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Interpret technical instructions, specifications, and documentation in mathematical or diagram form and manage projects involving multiple abstract and concrete variables.
• Use Microsoft Word, Excel, and Project to manage program documentation, schedules, reports, and status updates.
• Maintain a critical understanding of business practices from the sales process through production to ensure programs meet financial, operational, and customer objectives.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 5+ years of program or project management experience.
• At least 2+ years of experience in contract manufacturing.
• At least 7 years of cross-functional project management experience in two or more organizations, including at least two years in program management, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in contract manufacturing and electronic manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of the New Product Introduction (NPI) process and Customer Produced Product Transfer (CPPT).
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs.
• Ability to perform and interpret complex financial analyses, including incremental margin, fixed and variable costing, absorption, departmental rate determination, and program financial performance.
• Proficiency in managing the Request for Quote (RFQ) process and strategic quoting activities.
• Experience negotiating and administering contracts aligned with customer scope and internal sales strategy.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret scientific and technical publications and reports.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly document and present information.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from small groups of managers, engineers, clients, and customers.
• Applied knowledge of engineering mathematics, statistics, and business and economic analysis.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and work with multiple abstract and concrete variables.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Microsoft Project.
• Critical understanding of business practices from the sales process through production, including cost accounting concepts and managing to timelines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or business is preferred.
• Knowledge of cost accounting principles and practices.
• Proven ability to mentor and develop lower-level Program Managers.
• Experience managing strategic programs in electronic or contract manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and communicate effectively with Director and Officer level leadership.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple programs, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to adapt business models and processes to meet evolving customer needs and market conditions.
• Growth mindset with interest in progressing into leadership roles, including potential path to Business Unit Manager.

Work Environment
This is an onsite, Monday through Friday position with flexibility on start times to accommodate collaboration with global customers, including those in different time zones such as China. The environment is collaborative and cross-functional, with frequent interaction across engineering, operations, finance, and leadership teams. The organization supports professional growth with a clear trajectory from Program Manager to Program Manager and potential advancement to Business Unit Manager. Team culture includes regular department lunches, an annual holiday lunch, community service events during work hours, and a full week off during the Christmas period. The facility offers an onsite gym, discounted access to a local fitness membership, and recreational amenities such as basketball and pickleball courts, a table tennis area, billiards, an indoor basketball shooting area, and a dedicated band and music space with scheduled jam sessions. Standard office technology and tools, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Project, are used extensively to manage reports, schedules, and program documentation.
We reserve the right to pay above or below the posted wage based on factors unrelated to sex, race, or any other protected classification.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. This temporary role may be eligible for the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• 401(k)/Roth
• Insurance (Basic/Supplemental Life & AD&D)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health & Dependent Care Spending Accounts (HSA & DCFSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
.Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Lowell, AR.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $83000.00 - $117000.00/yr.
• Opportunity to grow into the Senior Role if only at the PM level and a clear growth trajectory to Business Unit manager in coming in at the Senior level
• Bonus Eligible in this position (Sending over 2026 benefit guide and bonus structure)
• Access to onsite amenities including (
• Do department lunches regularly, Christmas lunch every year, Community service events during work hours, and the full week of Christmas off.
• Onsite Gym as well as a Muv fitness membership discount, basketball/Pickleball court access, Ping pong table, Billiards, Indoor basketball shooting spot, Band/Music area with scheduled jam sessions, as well as ability to participate in company facilitated tournaments
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Lowell,AR.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 5, 2026.
About Aston Carter
Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.