Program Manager

Ducommun, Inc.; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ducommun, Inc. in Appleton, WI seeks a Program Manager to drive execution across all program aspects, ensuring compliance with technical and contractual requirements, schedules and budgets. You will be the primary customer liaison and shepherd requirements down to all functions.

You will lead IPTs, manage cost, schedule, and margins, coordinate with operations, monitor bookings and cash flow, and drive proposals and continuous improvement initiatives. Travel ~30% to customer sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 3-7+ years aerospace/manufacturing experience.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage programs through cross-functional collaboration.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Experience in production control, project/program management, or contracts management.
• Familiarity with Lean and Six Sigma.
• Familiarity with MRP systems.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary liaison between Ducommun and customers, managing communications, scorecards, surveys, and leading program reviews.
• Lead Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to align internal stakeholders with customer requirements, schedules, and recovery plans.
• Represent the company in customer and external interactions, ensuring timely updates on cost, quality, and schedule impacts.
• Oversee contract compliance by reviewing terms, preparing negotiation strategies, and managing customer deliverables.
• Coordinate with Operations on staffing, capital planning, and performance to support program execution.
• Monitor program financials, including cost, margin, schedule performance, and cash flow forecasting.
• Track and manage business unit bookings, backlog, sales, receivables, and drive new business capture strategies.
• Lead proposal efforts for new and follow-on business, including coordinating estimating, schedules, and customer submittals.
• Support continuous improvement through Lean, Kaizen, and cost-reduction initiatives aligned with customer and company goals.
• Travel to customer sites approximately 30% of the time.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Verbal and written communication

Production control

Project management

Contracts management

MS Office

Detail-oriented

Lean Six Sigma

MRP systems

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA degree

PMP / CAPM certification

Tools

MRP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Program Manager

The Program Manager is responsible for the execution of all aspects of the program to ensure that all activities are carried out in accordance with technical and contractual requirements, schedules, and budgets. The Program Manager is the focal point for the company for communications with the customer (internal / external) and is responsible to ensure customer requirements are flowed down to all functional departments.

Who are we?

Founded in 1849, Ducommun is the oldest company in California. Starting as a hardware supply store during the California Gold Rush and eventually assisted in the birth of the aerospace industry in Southern California by providing aircraft aluminum to early aerospace pioneers like Lindbergh, Douglas and Lockheed.

Today Ducommun is a global provider of innovative manufacturing solutions for customers in the aerospace, defense and industrial markets. We specialize in electronic and structural systems, producing complex products and components for commercial aircraft platforms, mission‑critical military and space programs, and sophisticated industrial applications.
Our Facility in Appleton, WI manufactures state‑of‑the‑art circuit boards for Aerospace and Defense as well as Industrial and Medical Industries.

Job Summary:

• Act as the primary liaison between Ducommun and its customers, managing communication, scorecards, surveys, and leading program reviews.
• Lead Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to align internal stakeholders with customer requirements, schedules, and recovery plans
• Represent the company in customer and external interactions, ensuring timely updates on cost, quality, and schedule impacts
• Oversee contract compliance by reviewing terms, preparing negotiation strategies, and managing customer deliverables
• Coordinate with Operations Management on staffing, capital planning, and performance to support program execution
• Monitor program financials, including cost, margin, schedule performance, and cash flow forecasting
• Track and manage business unit bookings, backlog, sales, receivables, and drive new business capture strategies
• Lead proposal efforts for new and follow‑on business, including coordinating estimating, schedules, and customer submittals
• Support continuous improvement through Lean, Kaizen, and cost‑reduction initiatives aligned with customer and company goals
• Travel to customer sites approximately 30% of the time

Required Skills and Education:

• Bachelor's degree required (or equivalent experience with VP approval)
• 3-7+ years of experience in aerospace or manufacturing environments
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage programs through influence and cross‑functional collaboration
• Excellent verbal and written communication across all organizational levels
• Experience in production control, project/program management, or contracts management
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Detail‑oriented with a customer service mindset
• Understanding of Lean and Six Sigma principles
• Familiarity with MRP systems
• Ability to travel up to 30

Preferred Skills and Education

• MBA degree
• PMP, CAPM, or Contracts Administration certification
• Experience managing programs valued at $10-25 million or more
• Supervisory experience
• Direct involvement with DCAA/DCMA audits
• Experience leading proposal teams and managing large‑scale bids
• Track record of driving process improvements and cost reduction initiatives

Equal Opportunity Employer
Veterans/Disabled

2222 East Pensar Drive
Appleton, Wisconsin, 54911
United States