Strategic Programs Manager Jobs in Arkansas (NOW HIRING)

Keytronic is a team-based, supportive environment where everyone is able to feel encouraged and supported. We provide opportunities for growth through seminars, certifications, on-the-job training, and career advancement. Our team and employees are proud of our product diversity and team environment. We have a very clean production environment and area with A/C. We are an international company where you will do something different every day in our fast-paced work environment, but we are always finding ways to create something new and be innovative

We encourage you to apply for this position if you enjoy being challenged, working in a dynamic work setting, and being a part of a team that creates products that drive our world, while providing an innovative workplace with deep camaraderie, compelling product diversity, and resources to build your career.

Keytronic provides competitive salaries and benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation, Holidays, Tuition Reimbursement, and 401K. We also have a company provided wellness program because we care about the wellbeing of our employees inside and outside of the workplace. We organize volunteer opportunities, company activities, and all-employee meetings to show we value our employees and the community around us!

JOB SUMMARY: Manages strategic programs and critical customer quotes that directly impact company profitability and revenue growth. Oversees the RFQ, NPI, and CPT processes for assigned programs, administering contracts and leading crossfunctional launch teams while maintaining key program documentation. Evaluates and recommends improvements to core program processes, assesses critical issues, and implements effective actions to resolve problems and enhance overall program performance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Primary customer interface responsible in coordination with global account management for the management and execution of all program management, order management and business management functions.
• Build and maintain customer relations, quoting, resolve technical and logistic issues with the customer and the factory.
• Manages the New Product Introduction Process (NPI) and Customer Produced Product Transfer (CPT) for strategic programs that are critical to the company’s revenue, profitability and future business opportunities.  Reports to Director and Officer levels on a frequent basis for review of NPI progress.
• Evaluates the NPI process and procedures and recommends improvements.
• Manages assigned market segment by mentoring lower level Program Managers, keeping apprised of program status within segment.
• Forms and manages cross-functional launch teams and drives regular team meetings to review progress.  Generates and tracks cross-functional action item list and NPI checklist item archive.
• Assesses risks, develops solutions, implements change and communicates responsibilities across organization.
• Manages and mentors strategic quotes and the Request for Quote (RFQ) process.  Elevates critical issues to upper management.  Ability to understand, apply and perform complex financial analysis such as incremental margin, fixed/variable costing, absorption, departmental rate determination and financial performance of program.
• Negotiates and administers contracts utilizing strategic knowledge of the customer’s business scope, our sales strategy, and the RFQ process.
• Assesses customer’s needs and adapts KTEMS’s business model to ensure success of the program and communication of functional groups.
• Understands roles of functional departments, targets potential areas of concern, and assists in resolving problems.
• Generates, maintains and publishes periodic reports on cost, quality and delivery to include revenue plan and product roadmaps.
• Effectively interacts and communicates with all levels of management professionally and technically in both written and oral form.
• Increases cash flow and profitability, while maintaining program timeline, resource and milestone charts.
• Assist management, inventory and A/P for assigned customer.
• Customer service (delivery, quality, pricing) for all customers.
• Maintenance of BOM/AVL entry and maintenance. Order entry and ECO entry.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Performs other duties when required that are outside of normal job duties.

SUPERVISION GIVEN/RECEIVED: Is supervised by the Director of Program Manager or Business Unit Manager. This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities but may be asked to mentor Program Managers and Associate level Program Managers.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or business, and knowledge of cost accounting and proficiency in managing to timelines. 
• Must also have seven years experience in cross-functional project management two years in program management; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical publications and reports. 
• Possesses strong proficiency in both verbal and written communication in the English language, with the ability to convey information clearly, accurately, and professionally.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from small groups of managers, engineers, clients and customers.
• Applied engineering mathematics, statistics, and business and economic analysis.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.  
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Advanced ability to operate a computer and in utilizing Microsoft and project management tools.
• Must possess a critical understanding of the business practice from the sales process through production.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing and manufacturing processes.
• Experience in contract manufacturing

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business or another related field.  
• Knowledge of materials procurement.
• Ability to read, write, and speak Spanish, Vietnamese, and/or Chinese.
• Knowledge of cost accounting and supply chain
• ISO procedures.
• Ability to utilize artificial intelligence for project management functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to stand and sit. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The environment is fast-paced; time pressured, and requires accuracy. The normal environment is quiet and typical of an open cubical setting with some areas that may be louder at times. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals.