Operations Program Manager 1 at L3Harris

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris Technologies is the Trusted Disruptor in the defense industry. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Operations Program Manager

Job Code: 22134

Job Location: Tulsa, OK

Schedule: 9/80

Job Description:

The Operations Program Manager (OPM) will act as the key representative for Production Operations, tasked with ensuring the fulfillment of cost and schedule commitments to the Program Office and external customers. The OPM will serve as the principal point of contact between Operations and the Program Management Office (PMO), as well as other departments such as Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Finance. This role involves coordinating action plans and operational needs to meet commitments and collaborating with other OPMs to address priority conflicts on the shop floor, thereby supporting all program goals.

As an Earned Value Management Cost Accounting Manager (CAM), the OPM is responsible for setting up and tracking labor baselines, as well as evaluating Risks & Opportunities. The OPM will also be charged with developing and implementing manufacturing program plans and schedules to ensure production is executed successfully with the appropriate staffing levels.

In this capacity, the OPM will lead the manufacturing support team in problem-solving efforts by aligning with program objectives, trade-offs, and timelines. The role includes overseeing the implementation of make/buy policies and determining necessary capital expenditures to achieve program goals for assigned projects. Additionally, the OPM will assist in proposal development for new business opportunities and scope changes to existing contracts. They will contribute to Capacity Planning at the site level by providing future work forecasts to the Plant’s Master Scheduling Team and working with Master Scheduling to maintain manufacturing & test schedules for ongoing projects.

A significant part of the OPM's role is to drive process improvements that enhance cost and schedule performance. This involves leading cross-functional teams to identify opportunities and leverage them for the benefit of the organization. The OPM will manage responsibilities for L3Harris Maritime Power and Energy Solutions (MPES) Tulsa site programs, which include the production of sophisticated electronic and power conversion equipment for U.S. Navy sea vessels. These programs represent approximately $20M in annual sales, and the OPM will report directly to the Site Operations Lead / Sr Manager of Operations.

Essential Functions:  

• Holds authority and responsibility for the technical scope, schedule, and cost related to operations activities on assigned programs.
• Acts as the primary contact for technical, cost, risk/opportunity, and schedule performance of actions on the assigned program; develops and implements strategies to meet cost, delivery, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement commitments.
• Serves as the Earned Value Cost Accounting Manager (CAM) for assigned programs.
• Engages with IPT Leads, Functional Managers, and leadership to ensure successful action planning and execution.
• Collaborates frequently with multiple functions (e.g., Design Engineering, Contracts, manufacturing, etc.) and the program office.
• Demonstrates leadership skills.
• Facilitates Operations, Manufacturing, and Quality participation in design development to address manufacturability, testability, and inspection issues.
• Supports the overall Program by contributing schedule inputs and changes into the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), maintaining effective change management processes and procedures.
• Monitors RAIL (Rolling Action Item List) performance, ensuring issues are addressed promptly and corrective actions and recovery plans are implemented swiftly.
• Plans and coordinates activities to support the verification and validation of new processes and product improvements.
• Supports multidisciplinary program reviews and presentations with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrates understanding and practice of Earned Value Management.
• Manages project management and proposal/BOE preparation for new business and changes in scope to existing programs.
• Drives employee engagement through Factory Gemba walk process.
• Supports the organization in developing and implementing operating philosophies and business strategies.
• Develops, implements, and sustains success metrics, incorporating best practices, and effectively communicates improvements.
• Effectively manages behavior, performance, and key deliverables across a matrix organization. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field and minimum 6 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in leading a multi-functional, technically oriented, Integrated Product Team in an electronics manufacturing or production environment.
• Experience with the execution of earned value management (EVM); experience in creating and managing budgets for both operational and capital expenses; proven experience as a Cost Accounting Manager (CAM).
• Experienced with all phases of manufacturing and program management (development, planning, conceptual design, requirements definition, preliminary design, prototyping, test and evaluation, integration, entry to production, etc.).
• Demonstrated knowledge in the assembly and test of electronic components or systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of computer-based project management tools associated with resource planning, scheduling, and cost monitoring.
• U.S. Citizenship required

Preferred Additional Skills: 

• MS Engineering Management / Industrial Engineering or MBA.
• DoD Contractor experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated experience identifying process constraints, developing improvement plans, and processes to improve.
• Advanced knowledge and use of MS Office products, including Project, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Skilled in the deployment and use of Lean and 6 Sigma manufacturing tools/methods.
• Ability to manage, coach, train, and motivate teams in a technical environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills for collaborating with all levels of the organization.
• Extensive experience in manufacturing; preferably experience in Shop Operations, Operations Planning, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering, Continuous Improvement also desirable.
• Strong operations and engineering analytical and technical writing skills with the ability to effectively communicate, present data, and explain results to leadership, subordinates & peers.
• Proven ability to multitask and prioritize assignments.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, including the establishment of detailed, resource-loaded, logic-driven (successor/predecessor) schedules.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and presenting business status, presentations, and business cases to executive leaders and external customers.

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.