Operational Excellence Program Manager

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Operational Excellence (OE) team partners with every part of Janicki to drive improved documentation, training, and standardization in support of our engineering and manufacturing processes. We identify inefficiencies, build scalable solutions, and equip teams across the organization to do their best work as Janicki continues to grow. We're hiring an Operational Excellence Program Manager to own the structure, prioritization, and delivery cadence of the OE program portfolio. This role is the connective tissue that turns OE strategy into executed work — taking intake from across the business, sequencing it into a coherent roadmap, managing dependencies, and ensuring our initiatives deliver measurable outcomes. You'll partner closely with the OE Manager and the OE Lead, and report to the Director of Operational Excellence. This is a high-visibility role in a growing function.

The following essential job functions are performed as an Operational Excellence Program Manager:

Portfolio & Roadmap Ownership

• Own the OE program intake process: capture incoming requests from engineering, manufacturing, operations, and quality; assess scope and effort; and prioritize against capacity and strategic value.
• Maintain a clear, up-to-date OE program roadmap that reflects current priorities, dependencies, and delivery timelines.
• Partner with the OE Manager to balance project workloads across the team and identify when capacity, scope, or sequencing needs to change.

Program & Project Delivery

• Lead individual programs end-to-end — including chartering, planning, execution, stakeholder communication, risk management, and closeout.
• Establish and track key performance indicators for OE programs (delivery on time, scope adherence, adoption, measurable outcomes).
• Drive change management activities to support adoption of new documentation, processes, and training across the organization.
• Support new product introductions (NPI), process changes, and major operational rollouts by ensuring documentation and training are in place before launch.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, operations, and administrative leaders to align program priorities to business needs.
• Communicate program status, risks, and outcomes clearly and consistently to team members, peers, the Director, and executive leadership.
• Build strong working relationships across functions, including with subject matter experts who participate in OE programs.

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years of program or project management experience, including end-to-end ownership of cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience working in or directly supporting a manufacturing, engineering, aerospace, or other technical operations environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously, balance competing priorities, and manage scope and timeline trade-offs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging from technician to executive audiences.
• Proven ability to navigate ambiguous environments and translate organizational priorities into clear, actionable plans.
• Comfort with structured project management methods (waterfall, Agile, or hybrid).
• Due to our ITAR and EAR regulations, applicants must be a US Citizen or of Legal Permanent Resident Status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b (a) (3).
• This position requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). Janicki will assist with gaining this access once employed. Special Access Program or other Government Access Requirements are mandatory for this position and require the candidate to agree to enter a Continuous Evaluation program.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, operations management, or a related technical field.
• PMP, PRINCE2, CAPM, or equivalent project management certification.
• Lean or Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or above) or other continuous improvement experience.
• Experience supporting Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, or Quality functions.
• Experience with Agile methodology and applying it to non-software delivery work.
• Experience with program management tooling (Smartsheet, MS Project, Jira, Asana, or similar) and document control or quality management systems.
• Experience supporting NPI, new line launches, or major operational change programs.
• Track record of measurable program outcomes (delivery, adoption, performance improvement).

Detailed Wage Information

Wage range for this role is between $135,000 - $170,00 per year plus a discretionary bonus, 401(k) matching, vacation, and health benefits. Employees can also receive additional pay for off-shifts, off-site work, and access pay. The range provided is Janicki's estimate of the base compensation for this role. Actual amount offered will be based on job-related and non-discriminatory factors such as experience, location, education, training, skills, and abilities.

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT USED

Must be able to read and understand highly technical drawings and documents. Vacuum gauges, computer, associated software, associated equipment and materials utilized in composite tool fabrication, and regular office equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Exposed to dust, loud noises, chemical fumes, fiberglass, and carbon fiber

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

AMOUNT OF TIME

*MANUAL EFFORT*

NONE

SOMETIMES

REGULARLY

CONTINUOUSLY

Up to 5 pounds

Up to 15 pounds

Up to 30 pounds

*PHYSICAL ACTIVITY*

Stand

Walk

Sit

Climb / Balance

Stoop/Kneel/Crouch/Crawl

Reach

Manual Dexterity

Talk/Hear

Taste/Smell

See Clearly

Color Vision

*WORKING CONDITIONS*

Work near moving parts

Work in high, precarious places

Fumes or airborne particles

Toxic or caustic chemicals

Outdoor weather conditions

Extreme cold

Extreme heat

Risk of electric shock

Works with explosives

Risk of radiation

Vibration

Other

*Janicki Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Janicki Industries does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age, retaliation, veteran/military service status, or any other legally protected status. Janicki is proud to be a military friendly employer.*

*Applicants or employees wishing to view a copy of Janicki Industries’ Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify the Human Resources Department at (360) 404-1997.*

*As a federal government contractor and a recipient of federal funding, Janicki is required to abide by federal drug testing requirements (including preemployment drug testing for cannabis). Additionally, because of Janicki’s work on aerospace products and the high volume of safety sensitive positions, Janicki takes the safety of its employees very seriously and requires that employees pass a preemployment drug test prior to starting employment.*