Program Manager (Aerospace and Defense)

Program Manager (Aerospace and Defense)

As Program Manager, you will serve as the primary leader for assigned customer programs and portfolios, driving the execution of customer commitments, operational performance, and business objectives. You will align resources across Molex Aerospace & Defense Solutions (ADS), translate customer requirements into executable plans, and lead cross-functional teams through demand planning, delivery, issue resolution, and continuous improvement. Working closely with Account Management, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain & Operations, Procurement, and Sales, you will ensure priorities, risks, and decisions are effectively managed to support customer success and profitable growth.

Success in this role requires strong business acumen, customer advocacy, and the ability to influence across a matrixed organization to drive accountability, disciplined execution, and measurable results. The Program Manager is accountable for overall program performance and customer satisfaction, ensuring alignment between customer priorities and business objectives.

Lead cross-functional execution of customer programs and projects, managing priorities, milestones, risks, dependencies, and decisions to ensure successful delivery of customer and business objectives.

Serve as the primary program leader and internal customer advocate, aligning customer priorities, contractual commitments, and business objectives with operational capabilities and resources.

Establish and maintain program governance, including customer reviews, executive business reviews, escalation management, action tracking, performance reporting, and recovery planning.

Translate customer demand, forecasts, program changes, and strategic priorities into coordinated plans that support delivery, quality, responsiveness, and profitable growth.

Identify, assess, and mitigate risks while facilitating timely, data-driven decision-making to prevent impacts to customer experience or business performance.

Lead cross-functional response and recovery efforts related to delivery disruptions, quality issues, engineering changes, capacity constraints, and other critical business challenges.

Develop and maintain program plans, dashboards, performance metrics, and communication processes that provide visibility, accountability, and execution discipline.

Drive demand and forecast alignment with customers and internal stakeholders to improve predictability, capacity planning, inventory management, and service performance.

Partner with commercial and operational leaders to support strategic account planning, identify growth opportunities, improve forecast accuracy, and protect profitability.

Leverage customer feedback, operational performance data, and business insights to drive continuous improvement and enhance the overall customer experience.

Monitor and improve key performance indicators, including on-time delivery, quality, responsiveness, customer satisfaction, and program profitability.

Ensure compliance with applicable aerospace and defense contractual, regulatory, quality, export control, and security requirements.

Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

8+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, operations, engineering, supply chain, quality, customer-facing, or related industrial environments.

5+ years of experience leading programs, projects, customer accounts, or cross-functional business initiatives.

Demonstrated ability to influence across matrixed organizations, manage risk, balance competing priorities, and drive execution without direct authority.

Strong business, financial, analytical, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills, including experience leading customer communications, escalations, and performance reviews.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office, ERP/MRP systems, business intelligence tools, and performance reporting dashboards.

Ability to travel as required and meet applicable customer, facility, security, and export-control requirements.

Experience leading strategic customer programs in aerospace, defense, space, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.

Demonstrated success improving customer satisfaction, operational performance, and business results through cross-functional leadership, issue resolution, and continuous improvement.

Knowledge of aerospace and defense quality, regulatory, and compliance requirements, including AS9100, Nadcap, ITAR, and FAR/DFARS.

Experience supporting strategic account growth, new program launches, demand planning, and manufacturing operations.

Experience presenting to executive leadership, leading customer business reviews, and building strong customer relationships while balancing business and operational priorities.

PMP, PgMP, Lean Six Sigma, or comparable project management and continuous improvement certifications.