VCS - Optical Program Manager

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Canteen Service seeks an Optical Program Manager to lead operations, optimize the customer experience, and implement standardized policies across VA locations.

You will oversee optical staff, coordinate with clinical partners and suppliers, and drive continuous improvement to service quality while ensuring compliance with industry best practices. We value optical industry knowledge, program leadership, and the ability to analyze data to guide

Qualifications

• Optical industry knowledge of current practices, products, lens fabrication, workflows, trends, including government environments.
• Leadership to manage complex operations with sound judgment, creativity and strategic thinking.
• Plan, develop, coordinate, implement and evaluate multiple programs and initiatives.
• Gather, analyze and summarize information to identify trends and support decisions.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with stakeholders at all levels.
• Customer service oriented, proactive in resolving operational challenges.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Optical Program across multiple VA locations with consistent service quality and standards.
• Oversee remote and onsite optical staff, including staffing, training and performance.
• Develop and implement standardized workflows, policies and quality standards.
• Analyze operational and financial data to guide staffing, product selection and profitability.
• Build relationships with clinical partners, VA leadership, suppliers and contractors.
• Identify opportunities to expand optical services and improve veteran experience.
• Perform additional responsibilities as needed.

Skills

Optical industry knowledge

Business & operational leadership

Program & project management

Data analysis & decision-making

Communication & collaboration

Customer-focused problem solving

Job description

Summary

Join us in making a difference for our nation's Veterans and their caregivers. The Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) is seeking an experienced and motivated Optical Program Manager to lead operations - optimize customer experience - develop and implement standardized policies - and ensure compliance with industry best practices.

Join us in making a difference for our nation's Veterans and their caregivers. The Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) is seeking an experienced and motivated Optical Program Manager to lead operations - optimize customer experience - develop and implement standardized policies - and ensure compliance with industry best practices.

Qualifications

Optical Industry Knowledge: Knowledge of current optical industry practices - products - lens fabrication - optician workflows - trends - and techniques - including commercial and government environments. Business & Operational Leadership: Demonstrated business acumen and experience managing complex operations - with the ability to apply sound judgment - creativity - and strategic thinking to achieve organizational goals. Program & Project Management: Ability to plan - develop - coordinate - implement - and evaluate multiple programs - projects - and initiatives while managing competing priorities and changing business needs. Data Analysis & Decision-Making: Ability to gather - analyze - and summarize information to identify trends - evaluate performance - support business decisions - and prepare comprehensive reports and recommendations. Communication & Collaboration: Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships and collaborate with clinical and non-clinical stakeholders - employees - leadership - and external partners at all levels. Customer-Focused Problem Solving: Demonstrated commitment to customer service with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving operational challenges - improving service delivery - and enhancing the customer experience. Experience working in healthcare or medical center environments is preferred. Identification Requirement: A current - valid REAL ID is required to work with the Veterans Canteen Service.

Duties

• Duties include - but are not limited to the following: Program Leadership: Lead the Optical Program across multiple VA locations - ensuring consistent service quality - operational efficiency - and program standards
• Team & Performance Management: Oversee remote and onsite optician teams - including staffing - training - performance - and workforce needs across multiple locations
• Operational Strategy & Improvement: Develop and implement standardized workflows - policies - and quality standards while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency - technology - and service delivery
• Business & Financial Performance: Analyze operational and financial data to guide staffing - product selection - pricing - profitability - and opportunities for program growth
• Stakeholder & Vendor Management: Build and maintain relationships with clinical partners - VA leadership - suppliers - fabricators - contractors - and other key stakeholders to resolve issues and support program operations
• Program Growth & Innovation: Identify opportunities to expand optical services - introduce new products - improve the Veteran experience - and strengthen program visibility through market and industry trends
• Additional Responsibilities & Flexibility: Perform and adapt to additional responsibilities as needed.