Program Manager – Aerospace & Defense

The Fordy Group; Mississippi; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fordy Group in Columbus, Mississippi is seeking a Program Manager to lead aerospace and defence programmes from planning through execution in a growing operation. This role offers genuine ownership of programmes and interactions with engineering, manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure successful delivery.

Ideal candidates will have aerospace manufacturing experience, DoD programme exposure, and a track record in cost, schedule and performance management, with a focus on lean and

Qualifications

• Experience across aerospace manufacturing, defence programmes, DoD customers or complex manufacturing environments.
• Cross functional programme leadership.
• Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Coordinating programme schedules, pricing and technical performance
• Managing programmes from planning through execution and delivery
• Working closely with engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain and other internal stakeholders
• Supporting proposals, programme plans, specifications and contractual requirements
• Tracking labour, materials, overheads and overall programme costs
• Identifying programme risks and driving solutions before they impact delivery
• Monitoring milestones, budgets and customer commitments
• Supporting continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing initiatives
• Acting as a key link between programme requirements and operational execution

Skills

Aerospace manufacturing experience

DoD program experience

Cross-functional leadership

Job description

I am currently supporting an established US aerospace and defence manufacturer in the search for a Program Manager to join its growing operation in Columbus, Mississippi.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience across aerospace manufacturing, defence programmes, DoD customers or complex manufacturing environments who wants genuine ownership of programmes without needing to already be operating at Senior Program Manager or Director level.

Strong Project Managers looking to step into a Program Manager position are also encouraged to apply.

The role will involve:

• Coordinating programme schedules, pricing and technical performance
• Managing programmes from planning through execution and delivery
• Working closely with engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain and other internal stakeholders
• Supporting proposals, programme plans, specifications and contractual requirements
• Tracking labour, materials, overheads and overall programme costs
• Identifying programme risks and driving solutions before they impact delivery
• Monitoring milestones, budgets and customer commitments
• Supporting continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing initiatives
• Acting as a key link between programme requirements and operational execution

We are particularly interested in speaking with candidates who have experience in:

• Aerospace or defence manufacturing
• Department of Defense or military programmes
• Manufacturing operations and production environments
• Cost, schedule and performance management
• Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement
• Cross functional programme leadership

You do not need to be an extremely senior Program Manager for this opportunity.

Someone currently operating as a Program Manager, Project Manager, Associate Program Manager, Programme Lead or similar who is ready to take on greater responsibility could be an excellent fit.

Why consider it?

The business offers genuine career progression and the opportunity to grow alongside an expanding aerospace organisation. One of our recent hires into the business progressed into a Director level position within just nine months, highlighting the level of opportunity available for high performers.

Environment: Aerospace and Defence manufacturing

Position: Full time

If you have experience managing programmes or projects within aerospace, defence, military manufacturing or another highly regulated manufacturing environment, I would be interested in speaking with you.