Program Manager - Supply Chain

The Material Program Manager (MPM) is a key contributor to program success, responsible for aligning material planning and procurement efforts with overall program cost, schedule, and technical objectives. This role is heavily focused on cost management, serving as the Control Account Manager (CAM) for material scope within the Estimate at Completion (EAC) process. The MPM is accountable for material cost performance, variance analysis, and driving affordability throughout the program lifecycle.

This individual partners cross-functionally with Program Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, and key suppliers to ensure timely and cost-effective material execution. The MPM is expected to proactively manage risk, support proposal efforts, drive supplier execution, and lead material strategy development. The role requires a strong understanding of defense contracting, production material planning, and the discipline to manage and report against material budgets and performance metrics.

• Serve as the primary liaison between Program Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, and key-suppliers for all material-related activities.
• Translate program requirements into actionable material plans; drive procurement and inventory strategies aligned with cost, schedule, and performance goals.
• Own and prepare material forecasts in support of the Estimate at Completion (EAC), including risk assessments, forecast adjustments, and variance explanations in collaboration with Finance and Program Management.
• Lead material strategy development for proposals, incorporating risk, cost, and schedule considerations.
• Drive supplier execution, monitor constraints, resolve issues, and escalate risks as needed.
• Ensure accurate and timely material planning using MRP, support engineering changes and associated planning impacts.
• Partner with Purchasing and Material Planning to execute procurement in alignment with program milestones.
• Represent the material function in cross-functional program reviews, kick-offs, and Integrated Product Team (IPT) meetings.
• Provide program-level reporting on material status, risks, costs, and performance metrics.
• Support or lead proposal efforts, including material estimating, sourcing strategies, and coordination with Contracts and Business Development.
• Monitor earned value performance, perform variance analysis, and support corrective action planning.
• Ensure adherence to government regulations (e.g., FAR/DFARS) and internal policies.
• Lead or support contract/subcontract negotiations and closeout activities.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.) to optimize planning and supply chain performance.
• Support, communicate, reinforce and defend the mission, values and culture of the organization

* Bachelor's degree in business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
* 5+ years of experience in material program management, supply chain, or defense-related manufacturing.
* Proven ability to manage material execution across the program lifecycle - from proposal to production and sustainment.
* Solid understanding of MRP/ERP systems, production scheduling, demand planning, and bill of material structures.
* Experience working in a DoD and FAR/DFARS-compliant environment.
* Strong communication, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
* Experience with earned value management (EVM), metrics tracking, and variance analysis.
* Demonstrated ability to lead IPTs and interface with customers and suppliers effectively.
* Working knowledge of program financials, contract execution, and material cost control.
* Exposure to product change management and engineering change impacts on supply and schedule.
* Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, and process improvement methodologies.
* Program Management Certification (PMP or DAU) preferred.