Associate Program Manager

Benchmark Electronics; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Benchmark Electronics in Huntsville, AL seeks an early-career Program Manager to lead customer-focused teams, manage schedules, and collaborate with cross-functional groups across engineering, supply chain, and operations. The role emphasizes ownership of customer relationships and profitability through effective communication.

The position requires a 4-year degree (preferred) with 0–2 years of program management experience, and offers growth toward a Program Manager role within 2–4 years,

Qualifications

• 4 year degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 0-2 years of program management experience.
• Able to move into a Program Manager position within 2 to 4 years.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and leadership for customer-focused teams.
• Willingness to travel to support global activities as required.

Responsibilities

• Work with and take direction from the Program Manager to align on duties and priorities.
• Assist in managing and leading customer team activities as primary day-to-day customer contact
• Coordinate and maximize the use of company functions in support of customer requirements
• Support new product introduction activity including cost, pricing and prototype activity
• Work with customer(s), materials, and operations to manage build and delivery schedule
• Analyze customer purchase orders for compliance to contract terms
• Review customer forecast information with Supply Chain Planner and Scheduler as required
• Proactively identify discrepancies prior to data entry and resolve with Program Managers
• Lead or assist in leading business review meetings with BEI and customer
• Assist in providing centralized management over all business and technical aspects of a customer accounts

Skills

Customer focus

Team leadership

Communication

Cross-functional teamwork

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

At Benchmark, we are driven by our purpose: to innovate for a healthier, safer, and better-connected world to create a brighter future. When you join us, you become part of a team passionate about making a meaningful impact across various sectors, including commercial aerospace, defense, advanced computing, next-generation communications, complex industrials, medical, and semiconductor capital equipment. We prioritize career growth, fostering a culture that ensures you reach your full potential. At Benchmark, your work is purpose-driven, enabling you to create a positive impact on the world and make your career truly meaningful. You'll be part of a collaborative and inclusive team that values your ideas and contributions.

Summary:
Supports and receives mentoring from the Program Manager to provide leadership to the Customer Focus Team ensuring that Customer and Internal needs are met. Manage Customer satisfaction while maintaining a profitable business relationship through efficient and effective Customer and internal communication.

Responsibilities:

• Work with and take direction from the Program Manager to align on duties and priorities.
• Assist in managing and leading customer team activities as primary day-to-day customer contact
• Coordinate and maximize the use of company functions in support of customer requirements
• Support new product introduction activity including cost, pricing and prototype activity
• Work with customer(s), materials, and operations to manage build and delivery schedule
• Analyze customer purchase orders for compliance to customer's contract terms and conditions
• Review customer forecast information with Supply Chain Planner and Scheduler as required
• Proactively identify potential discrepancies prior to data entry and engage Program Managers in resolving discrepancies
• Support quality, test, Engineering Change Order (ECO), materials and depot activity
• Work with Program Manager as required to recover costs for ECO activity, Non-Recurring Expenses (NRE) and miscellaneous
• Resolve excess/obsolete inventory issues
• Assist in resolving Accounts Receivable (A/R) issues as required
• Communicate effectively with customer(s) and within factory
• Lead, or assist in leading, business review meetings with BEI and customer
• Assisting Program Manager to manage and lead customers' teams activities as primary day-to-day customer contact
• Manage multiple team tasks, to include but not limited to, continuous improvement programs, business analysis, quoting and pricing, change management, on-time delivery, inventory and forecasting
• Support management team, as needed, with building customers' relationships and business development, with forecasting and pricing strategies, with ensuring profitability and with meeting business unit objectives
• Assist Program Manager in providing centralized management over all business and technical aspects of a customer' accounts
• Manage customers' concerns, corrective actions, and lead issues to completion
• Develop an understanding of DFx philosophy and promote it with customers and within the customer team
• Provide customers with written corrective action to escalated issues
• Work with Materials/Procurement to establish internal goals for annual inventory turns and report actual turns regularly
• Assist Program Manager to lead end of life program management to meet BEI and customer goals pertaining to product availability and component material planning, including working with engineering to determine alternate component solutions
• Assist other team members, as needed, to ensure customers' needs are met
• May be involved in global activities with direction

Other information:

• Continue to gain understanding with the total business operation to include material procurement, order entry, forecasting, manufacturing, invoicing, customer returns, inventory levels and on-time delivery
• Effective organization and prioritization skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with suppliers or customer with direction and oversight
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Ability to take on aspects of project leadership/ownership
• Proven ability to complete projects in a timely manner
• Ability to work the required hours to support a global business operation as may be required
• Demonstrate discretion, confidentiality, professionalism when representing the company
• Excellent written and verbal communication, as well as presentation skills
• Ability to work well individually or in teams
• Understanding of and ability to use continuous improvement tools
• Available for travel as required
• Recognize, participate and lead continuous improvement activities with Site Lean Champion and provide complete documentation, including a follow up review with the team in a presentation format
• See job analysis forms for specific physical stressors of the job
• 4 year degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience as approved by executive management
• Able to move into a Program Manager position within 2 to 4 years
• 0-2 years of program management experience

Education: 4 year degree preferred or equivalent combination

Geographical Location: Alabama:Huntsville

Physical Location: Huntsville, AL

Shift: Shift 1

Work Schedule: M-F 0800-1630

Full Time

In our innovative environment, you'll work with cutting-edge technology, leading the way in engineering design and delivering world‑class manufacturing services for products that make a real difference in the lives of others. At Benchmark, your career is more than just a job. It's an opportunity to be part of something bigger, where your work matters and helps shape a brighter future for everyone. Together, we will achieve extraordinary things.

Export Control: This job position may include access to controlled information or technology covered under applicable U.S. export control laws. As such, employment for this job position may be contingent on either verification that an applicant falls under the definition of a "U.S. Person" (which includes U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and those granted U.S. asylum or refugee status) or on the Company timely obtaining any necessary export license required under federal laws. The Company evaluates such export license situations on a case‑by‑case basis and may decline to proceed with a job applicant in its sole discretion since export license applications can take many weeks to be processed.

Benchmark is an equal opportunity employer. We are bringing together a dynamic workforce with unique talents, life experiences, cultures, and perspectives to promote an innovative, collaborative, and creative place to work. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [e-mail].