Sr. Manager, BD & Program Operations

Ducommun Incorporated

Carson (CA)

On-site

USD 150,000 - 200,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Ducommun Incorporated in Carson, CA is seeking a Sr. Manager, BD & Program Operations to drive customer growth and ensure successful execution of programs across aerospace and defense portfolios.

You will lead the Program Management organization, partner with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Finance to meet commitments, optimize profitability, and enhance customer satisfaction through strategic account planning and rigorous program governance.

Qualifications

8+ years of progressive experience in business development, program management, account management, or commercial operations within manufacturing, aerospace, or defense environments.
Demonstrated experience leading customer-facing programs and cross-functional teams.
Prior people leadership experience required.
Experience with aerospace, defense, or highly regulated manufacturing environments strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Support the execution of business development strategies to achieve revenue growth and market expansion objectives.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective customers.
Identify and evaluate new business opportunities within aerospace, defense, and adjacent markets.
Partner with the Director of Business Development & Programs on strategic account planning and growth initiatives.
Support customer visits, business reviews, trade shows, and industry networking activities.
Coordinate and lead cross-functional proposal and quotation activities.
Ensure timely and competitive responses to customer RFQs and opportunities.
Monitor market trends, customer requirements, and competitive activity.

Skills

Business development

Program management

Leadership

Customer relationship management

Negotiation

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration / Engineering / Supply Chain

Tools

ERP systems

CRM platforms

Microsoft Office

Job description

Sr. Manager, BD & Program Operations

The Senior Manager,Business Development & Program Operations serves as the operational leaderresponsible for customer growth, program execution, and commercial performanceacross the business. Reporting to the Director of Business Development &Programs, this role bridges business development activities and programmanagement execution to ensure customer satisfaction, profitable growth, andsuccessful delivery of customer commitments.

The position providesleadership and oversight to the Program Management organization through directmanagement of the Program Management Manager while partnering closely withOperations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Finance to drive business results.

This role is responsiblefor supporting new business pursuits, developing customer relationships,managing commercial performance, overseeing program execution, and ensuringalignment between customer expectations and operational capabilities.

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 Performance Center in Carson, CA is the EngineeredProducts Group site for our Human Machine Interface, Motion Control Device, andRadio Frequency (RF) product lines.

Job Summary

Business Development & Customer Growth

Support the execution ofbusiness development strategies to achieve revenue growth and market expansionobjectives.
Develop and maintainstrong relationships with existing and prospective customers.
Identify and evaluatenew business opportunities within aerospace, defense, and adjacent markets.
Partner with theDirector of Business Development & Programs on strategic account planningand growth initiatives.
Support customer visits,business reviews, trade shows, and industry networking activities.
Coordinate and leadcross-functional proposal and quotation activities.
Ensure timely andcompetitive responses to customer RFQs and business opportunities.
Monitor market trends,customer requirements, and competitive activity.

Program Management Leadership

Provide leadership anddirection to the Program Management Manager and Program Management organization.
Establish programmanagement standards, processes, and performance expectations.
Review programperformance metrics including schedule adherence, margin performance, deliveryperformance, and customer satisfaction.
Ensure effectivecommunication and coordination across customer programs.
Escalate and resolveprogram risks and issues impacting customer commitments or business performance.
Drive accountability forprogram execution and customer deliverables.

Commercial & Operational Leadership

Serve as a key liaison between customers and internalfunctional teams.
Support contract review, change management, andcustomer negotiations.
Monitor bookings, backlog, revenue performance, andprogram profitability.
Collaborate with Operations and Supply Chain teams toalign customer demand with operational capacity.
Support forecasting, sales planning, and businessreporting activities.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhancecustomer experience and operational efficiency.

Leadership & Team Development

Coach, mentor, anddevelop the Program Management Manager and broader Program Management team.
Foster a culture ofaccountability, customer focus, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Support talentdevelopment, succession planning, and organizational capability building.
Promote strongcross-functional relationships throughout the organization.

Required Experience and Education

Bachelor’s degree inbusiness administration, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, orrelated field required.
8+ years of progressiveexperience in business development, program management, account management, orcommercial operations within manufacturing, aerospace, or defense environments.
Demonstrated experienceleading customer-facing programs and cross-functional teams.
Prior people leadershipexperience required.
Experience managingcomplex customer relationships and commercial activities.
Experience withaerospace, defense, or highly regulated manufacturing environments stronglypreferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strong business acumenand commercial mindset.
Ability to balancecustomer needs with operational capabilities and business objectives.
Excellent leadership,coaching, and team development skills.
Strong project andprogram management capabilities.
Excellent negotiation,communication, and presentation skills.
Ability to influenceacross functions and organizational levels.
Strong analytical andproblem-solving abilities.
Proficiency with ERPsystems, CRM platforms, and Microsoft Office applications.

Key Performance Indicators