Deputy Program Manager

FN America, LLC; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

FN America, LLC is seeking a Deputy Program Manager to lead programs from inception through execution, coordinating the IPT and serving as the primary customer liaison. The role emphasizes cost, schedule, and technical performance, with direct interaction across FN product teams, contracts, manufacturing, and R&D.

The ideal candidate has a PMP or DAU background, five years of program management experience, and a proven ability to work with military and DoD stakeholders while managing complex

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in engineering, business, or related discipline.
• MBA or equivalent degree highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead IPTs and coordinate program activities to meet objectives.
• Monitor cost, schedule, and technical performance against plans.
• Provide customer liaison and communicate with senior management.

Skills

Clear communication

Analytical thinking

PM processes

Stakeholder management

Market analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/business

MBA or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Project

ERP systems

Earned Value Management

Job description

FN America, LLC is a U.S. subsidiary of FN Herstal, S.A., a global leader in the development and manufacturing of high-quality, reliable firearms for military, law enforcement and commercial customers worldwide. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia with manufacturing operations in Columbia, South Carolina, FN America is passionately committed to providing its customers with a portfolio of FN-branded products, training and support services that enhance user performance and safeguard their lives. For more information, visit us at or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Job Type

Full-time

Position Summary

The Deputy Program Manager is responsible for providing leadership, direction, and oversight throughout all phases of assigned programs, ensuring the successful achievement of program objectives, including technical performance, schedule adherence, and cost management. The Deputy Program Manager coordinates and directs the work of the integrated program team (IPT) and acts as the principal customer liaison for all program activities, maintaining effective communication with customers and the senior management team.

Job Duties

• Establishes milestones and monitors adherence to master plans and schedules, identifies program problems and obtains solutions such as allocation of resources or changing contractual obligations.
• Acts as primary or secondary customer contact for program activities, leading program review sessions with customers to discuss performance metrics, cost and schedules.
• Provides oversight of cost, schedule and technical performance of programs while meeting customer needs per agreed upon commitments.
• Develops resource estimates and plans IPT workload. Establishes direction for IPT to balance program priorities.
• Collaborates with all stakeholders, including military leadership and customers, FN worldwide product teams, business development, contracts, legal and compliance, manufacturing, and R&D to ensure success of programs.
• Identifies, assesses, monitors and mitigates risk throughout the program life cycle (cost, schedule, manpower, and performance).
• Coordinates with the contracts department on contract negotiations, issues pertaining to contract requirements, changes, and interpretations and with other departments on resolution of contractual problems with the customer. Assures contract requirements are executed in accordance with appropriate regulations and company policies and procedures (e.g. Federal Acquisition Regulations).
• Leads preparation of company’s responses to military solicitations, requests for information, proposals as designated, business capture strategy and execution.
• Presents comprehensive product business plans to executive team for review and approval. Keeps executive team abreast of current and anticipated military programs, trends and intercompany developments.
• Drives the execution and delivery of accurate and timely requests for bids and information (RBIs).
• Other duties as assigned by management*

Educational Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or other related discipline is required. MBA or equivalent degree highly preferred.

Experience Requirements

Five years of project management, program management, business management or equivalent experience required. Previous experience leading cross‑functional teams is required. Prior military or Department of Defense (DoD) experience, as well as business development experience, are preferred.

Licenses / Certifications

Program Management Professional (PMP) or DAU certification preferred.

Skills and Competencies

• Exceptional communication, presentation, critical thinking, and decision‑making skills required.
• Strong analytical problem‑solving ability.
• Must have a strong business acumen.
• Advanced knowledge and use of business concepts and accounting principles associated with program cost and budgetary planning/control.
• Subject matter expert in standard PM processes.
• Must be able to effectively interface with engineering, manufacturing, contracts, procurement, quality, and other key stakeholders.
• Ability to motivate and engage team members while fostering open communication and timely escalation of issues.
• Extensive knowledge of product life cycle including design, engineering, manufacturing and marketing.
• Ability to understand and evaluate technical and non‑technical documents relating to all aspects of assigned programs or new business capture targets.
• Ability to plan, organize, communicate and direct the day‑to‑day activities of multiple development, production or life cycle support programs.
• Well organized; ability to meet deadlines; self‑starter; and multi‑task oriented.
• Ability to analyze market trends, conduct competitor analysis, and identify gaps in the market to drive sustainable growth.

Tools

Microsoft Office suite, Microsoft Project, general ERP familiarity, Earned Value Management a plus.

Working Conditions

Typical office environment with some travel between buildings and to other locations required. All FN America employees have a responsibility to participate in the development of a safe and healthy workplace and to comply with instructions given for their own safety and health and that of others.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veteran / Disability

FN America, LLC is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment, please email [e-mail] or call: 803-736-0522. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case‑by‑case basis.