Materials Program Manager I

Lehigh Heavy Forge Corporation; Roanoke (VA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9/80 schedule with every other Friday

401(k) program

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Life Insurance

Paid PTO

Parental Leave

Employee Referral Program

Tricare Supplement

Job summary

Twenty-Six Defense in Roanoke, Virginia is seeking a Material Program Manager to lead material strategy, execution, and cross-functional coordination for complex aerospace and defense programs operating under strict contractual, regulatory, and quality requirements.

You will ensure material readiness, manage supply risk, and support cost and schedule performance while partnering with program management, supply chain, engineering, manufacturing, quality, contracts, and finance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in materials management, supply chain, program support, or operations in aerospace, defense, or regulated manufacturing.
• Experience supporting complex programs with strict delivery, quality, compliance, and configuration control.
• Strong knowledge of material planning, procurement, inventory control, supplier management, and ERP/MRP.
• Ability to analyze data, assess risk, and drive decisions in fast-paced programs.
• Effective leadership, communication, and presentation skills with ability to brief senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end material management from contract to production and sustainment.
• Develop and execute material strategies aligned to schedules and financial goals.
• Serve as material focal point for reviews and leadership updates.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to translate demand into supply plans.
• Drive material readiness for development, production, repair, and field support.
• Monitor shortages, allocations, long lead items, and supplier performance.
• Manage obsolescence risk, sole-source exposure, and capacity constraints.
• Ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS, ITAR, EAR, and AS9100.
• Maintain EACs and perform cost variance analyses with cost inputs.
• Lead BOM maintenance.

Skills

Material planning

Procurement

Inventory control

Supplier management

ERP/MRP

Data analysis

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Engineering, or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Company Information:

Twenty-Six Defense, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is a leading provider of high-performance products, system solutions, and aftermarket support services focusing on the defense, homeland security, and commercial aviation markets. With facilities throughout the U.S., Twenty-Six Defense is dedicated to supporting those who contribute to the national security of the United States. Twenty-Six Defense is wholly owned by Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT and TASE: ESLT), a global high-technology company engaged in a wide range of programs for innovative defense and commercial applications.

Fueled by more than 800 talented employees and a proud 65-year legacy of night vision production excellence, Twenty-Six Defense's Warfighter Systems business is rooted in the heart of Virginia's Roanoke Valley. Surrounded by the scenic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you'll find a unique blend of southern hospitality, outdoor adventure, and the energy of a thriving city - all alongside a purpose you can be proud of coming to work each day.

As a world leader in low-light sensor technology, the Warfighter Systems team is engineering the future of image intensifiers and night vision goggle systems as we enter a new era of the networked battlespace. Trusted by the U.S. and nearly 100 allied countries, our technology provides support to those in harms' way during the most critical moments with one goal in mind: bring them home safely.

The work our employees perform each day plays a direct role in national security, and our shared purpose is what truly makes Warfighter Systems so extraordinary. Come join our collaborative team where each voice is valued in a setting where you can thrive, develop, and make a true impact!

Position Summary

The Material Program Manager leads material strategy, execution, and cross-functional coordination for complex aerospace and defense programs operating under strict contractual, regulatory, and quality requirements. This role ensures material readiness, manages supply risk, supports cost and schedule performance, and serves as a key interface across program management, supply chain, engineering, manufacturing, quality, contracts, and finance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end material management activities from contract award through production, delivery, and sustainment.
• Develop and execute material strategies aligned to program schedules, customer requirements, and financial objectives.
• Serve as the material focal point for program reviews, customer discussions, internal operations reviews, and executive updates.
• Partner with program management to translate demand, schedule changes, engineering updates, and risk into executable supply chain plans.
• Drive material readiness for development, production, repair, and field support requirements.
• Monitor shortages, allocations, long lead items, inventory health, and supplier performance to protect schedule commitments.
• Lead material risk identification, mitigation planning, and escalation for obsolescence, sole-source exposure, quality issues, and capacity constraints.
• Coordinate with procurement, planning, manufacturing, warehouse, quality, and engineering teams to resolve material constraints quickly and effectively.
• Support subcontract management, make-buy decisions, and material strategies in compliance with customer and internal requirements.
• Ensure adherence to contractual flow-downs, FAR/DFARS requirements, export control obligations, traceability rules, and quality documentation expectations.
• Prepare concise material status reporting, recovery plans, and risk summaries for leadership and program stakeholders.
• Lead development, validation, and continuous maintenance of material Estimates at Complete (EACs), ensuring accuracy, traceability, and alignment with program financial baselines.
• Analyze cost variances between actuals, commitments, and forecasts to identify key drivers, root causes, and required corrective actions impacting material EAC performance.
• Partner closely with Finance, Supply Chain, and Engineering to gather cost inputs, assess risks and opportunities, and deliver timely, high-quality EAC updates.
• Validate supplier quotes, purchase orders, and subcontractor inputs to ensure alignment with EAC assumptions and program financial objectives.
• Provide material cost insight and data-driven recommendations during monthly program reviews and quarterly EAC reviews.
• BOM maintenance

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in materials management, supply chain, program support, or operations within aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience supporting complex programs with strict delivery, quality, compliance, and configuration control requirements.
• Strong knowledge of material planning, procurement, inventory control, supplier management, and ERP/MRP execution.
• Ability to analyze data, assess risk, prioritize issues, and drive decisions in fast-paced program environments.
• Effective leadership, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and brief senior leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting U.S. government, defense, or foreign military funded programs.
• Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS, ITAR, EAR, AS9100, and configuration-controlled production environments.
• Experience with subcontract management, supplier corrective actions, and long lead material planning.
• Knowledge of earned value principles, EAC support, cost/schedule integration, and program financial drivers.
• APICS/ASCM, PMP, CPSM, or similar professional certification.

Core Competencies

• Program material leadership
• Risk management and mitigation
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Schedule-driven execution
• Supplier performance management
• Regulatory and contractual compliance
• Data-driven decision-making
• Executive communication

Success Measures

• Material availability to support program milestones
• Reduction in shortages and expedited recovery cycle time
• On-time delivery performance
• Inventory health and cost performance
• Supplier responsiveness and execution
• Compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements

Role is open to onsite, hybrid or remote

Here Are Some of the Great Benefits We Offer:

• Most locations offer a 9/80 schedule, providing every other Friday off
• Competitive compensation & 401(k) program to plan for your future
• Robust medical, dental, vision, & disability coverage with qualified wellness discounts
• Basic Life Insurance and Additional Life & AD&D Insurances are available
• Flexible Vacation & PTO
• Paid Parental Leave
• Generous Employee Referral Program
• Voluntary Benefits Available: Longer Term Care, Legal, Identity Theft, Pet Insurance, and more
• Voluntary Tricare Supplement available for military retirees

Why Roanoke, Virginia?

• Lower cost of living
• Family-friendly area
• Career and economic growth
• Scenic beauty
• Outdoor enthusiast's dream

This job description does not list all the duties of the job. You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not an employment contract. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Twenty-Six Defense is an equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

*For Virginia-based positions only* In accordance with Virginia DOL requirements, the listed salary range reflects the anticipated base pay range for this role. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including skills, experience, education, certifications, business needs, internal equity, and geographic location. Compensation may vary in different locations based on market conditions and cost-of-labor considerations.