Job Title: Senior Program Manager (NPI/Contract Manufacturing)
Job Description
The Senior Program Manager leads strategic programs that are critical to revenue, profitability, and future business opportunities, with a primary focus on the New Product Introduction (NPI) process and Customer Produced Product Transfer (CPPT) in a contract manufacturing and electronic manufacturing environment. This role manages a designated market segment, mentors program managers, forms and directs cross-functional launch teams, and serves as a key liaison between customers and internal functional groups. The Senior Program Manager regularly reports NPI progress to Senior leadership, drives process improvements, and ensures programs meet cost, quality, and delivery targets while maintaining strong customer relationships and supporting long-term business growth.
Responsibilities
Manage the New Product Introduction (NPI) process and Customer Produced Product Transfer (CPPT) for strategic programs that directly impact revenue, profitability, and future business opportunities.
Provide frequent progress updates and formal reports on NPI activities to director-level and officer-level leadership.
Evaluate NPI processes and procedures, identify gaps, and recommend improvements to enhance efficiency, quality, and time-to-market.
Oversee an assigned market segment by mentoring lower-level Program Managers and maintaining visibility into program status across the segment.
Form and lead cross-functional launch teams, schedule and drive regular team meetings, and ensure alignment on program goals and milestones.
Generate, track, and maintain cross-functional action item lists and NPI checklist archives to ensure accountability and program continuity.
Assess program risks, develop and implement mitigation strategies, and communicate changes and responsibilities across the organization.
Manage and mentor strategic quoting activities and the Request for Quote (RFQ) process, escalating critical issues to upper management when necessary.
Perform complex financial analysis for programs, including incremental margin, fixed and variable costing, absorption, departmental rate determination, and overall financial performance assessment.
Negotiate and administer contracts by applying a strategic understanding of the customers business scope, internal sales strategy, and the RFQ process.
Assess customer needs and adapt the business model and internal communication across functional groups to ensure program success and customer satisfaction.
Collaborate effectively with functional departments, identify potential areas of concern, and assist in resolving technical, operational, and commercial issues.
Generate, maintain, and publish periodic reports on cost, quality, and delivery, including revenue plans and product roadmaps.
Interact and communicate professionally and technically with all levels of management, customers, and internal teams in both written and oral form.
Present information clearly and respond to questions from small groups of managers, engineers, clients, and customers.
Apply engineering mathematics, statistics, and business and economic analysis to support data-driven decision-making.
Define problems, collect relevant data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions to support program and business decisions.
Interpret a wide variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and work effectively with abstract and concrete variables.
Utilize Microsoft Word, Excel, and Project at an intermediate to advanced level to manage reports, schedules, and program documentation.
Maintain a critical understanding of business practices from the sales process through production, ensuring programs align with overall business objectives.
Essential Skills
Minimum 5+ years of program or project management experience.
At least 2+ years of experience in contract manufacturing.
Seven years of cross-functional project management experience across two or more organizations, including at least two years in program management, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Bachelors degree in engineering or business.
Strong understanding of the New Product Introduction (NPI) process and Customer Produced Product Transfer (CPPT).
Experience in contract manufacturing and electronic manufacturing environments.
Knowledge of cost accounting principles and proficiency in managing programs to timelines and budget.
Demonstrated program management and project management skills, including planning, execution, and risk management.
Experience with RFQ (Request for Quote) processes and strategic quoting.
Proven ability to negotiate and administer contracts.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret scientific and technical publications and reports.
Ability to clearly communicate and document information verbally and in writing.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, engineers, clients, and customers.
Applied skills in engineering mathematics, statistics, and business and economic analysis.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and handle multiple abstract and concrete variables.
Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Project.
Critical understanding of business practices from the sales process through production.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience mentoring and developing lower-level Program Managers.
Background in managing strategic programs within a defined market segment.
Ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive regular launch meetings.
Experience generating and maintaining detailed action item lists and NPI checklists.
Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to work effectively with all levels of management.
Comfort working with complex financial models and program performance metrics.
Demonstrated ability to adapt business models and internal communication to meet evolving customer needs.
Track record of identifying process improvements and implementing change in a manufacturing or engineering environment.
Growth mindset with the ability to progress from a Program Manager role into a Senior Program Manager role and potentially into a Business Unit Manager role.
Professional communication skills suitable for technical and non-technical audiences.
Work Environment
This is an onsite, Monday through Friday position in a contract and electronic manufacturing setting. Start times can be flexible, with consideration for customer locations that may be in different time zones, including China. The environment emphasizes collaboration, cross-functional teamwork, and regular interaction with engineering, operations, finance, and sales functions. Team culture includes department lunches, an annual Christmas lunch, community service events during work hours, and time off during the Christmas week. Onsite amenities may include access to a gym, discounted fitness memberships, basketball and pickleball courts, a table tennis area, billiards, an indoor basketball shooting area, and a band/music space with scheduled jam sessions, along with opportunities to participate in company-facilitated activities. The dress code is consistent with a professional office and manufacturing environment, balancing office work with regular engagement on the production floor.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Spokane Valley, WA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $83000.00 - $115000.00/yr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
On-the-job training Tuition reimbursement Health insurance Vision insurance Dental insurance Life insurance Disability insurance Wellness program
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Spokane Valley,WA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 9, 2026.
About Aston Carter
Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com (%20astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com) for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
