Job Description

IPS – AkroFire is seeking a Program Manager 3 who initiates, plans, executes, monitors and controls and closes all activities necessary to ensure the successful completion of the assigned program within established objectives. Manages the program lifecycle in accordance to PLM process and ensures results meet regulatory, customer and company requirements regarding schedule, cost and quality. Partners with all internal functions responsible for business development, product design, verification and validation activities, planning, procurement, production, quality, shipping and product support (as applicable). Engages with customers to ensure transparent communication, maintains excellent Customer scorecards in collaboration with internal stakeholders and seeks continuous Customer satisfaction with the goal of winning new business.

About IPS: Integrated Polymer Solutions (IPS) is a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced materials and engineered components, focused exclusively on high-value end markets such as aerospace, defense, medical, semiconductors, robotics, energy, and industrial applications. The group consists of 9 highly respected brands: AkroFire, ABBA Roller, Icon Aerospace Technology, IRP Medical, MAST Technologies, Northern Engineering Sheffield (NES), RMB Products, Rubbercraft, and Swift Textile Metalizing (STM). Our product range includes elastomeric seals, gaskets, tooling, hoses, ablatives, survivability tiles, coatings and tapes, EMI and thermal shielding, electrically conductive metalized fabrics, encapsulated O-rings, as well as polyamide foams and high-temperature thermoplastics for aircraft interiors. We also provide rotational lining for corrosion protection with seamless liners for pipelines and equipment, and additive manufacturing capabilities for advanced flight hardware production.

Job Accountabilities:

• Manage assigned programs from initiation through completion, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and company objectives.
• Oversee the full program lifecycle, coordinating all activities necessary to achieve successful outcomes.
• Plan, schedule, track, and report engineering test parts and development milestones.
• Serve as the primary interface with customer procurement and program management teams.
• Lead scheduling, tracking, and reporting for transition-to-production activities.
• Coordinate and monitor all quality assurance tasks, including First Article Inspections (FAI), Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP), FAA conformity inspections, and shipping.
• Maintain proactive and effective communication with customers, ensuring responsiveness and alignment throughout the program.
• Support quote development for Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE), tooling, testing, and production parts.
• Track Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) across engineering, production, and quality departments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams—including Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Program Management—to drive program success.
• Provide timely program status updates and escalate issues as necessary to the AkroFire/IPS leadership team.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, including product, work, and resource breakdown structures.
• Manage program budgets with full P&L responsibility, striving for optimal financial performance.
• Analyze, prioritize, and ensure execution of tasks along the program’s critical path.
• Ensure customer satisfaction by delivering on-time, high-quality results and maintaining excellent communication.
• Establish program priorities and provide tactical guidance to resolve day-to-day program challenges.
• Prepare ROI analyses, business cases, and product development roadmaps to enhance program profitability.
• Partner with the Business Development team to share lessons learned and proactively address risks in future program proposals.
• Integrate past lessons learned into current and future program planning and execution efforts.
• Lead the Integrated Project Team (IPT) to meet business objectives and exceed customer expectations.
• Define IPT priorities and workflows, drive root cause analysis, and coordinate issue resolution with relevant departments.

Job Specifications:

Education: Requires a Bachelor’s Degree or a High School Diploma/GED plus four (4) years relevant experience and appropriate certifications may be substituted for meeting educational requirements only.

Years’ Experience: 5 years of relevant experience required

Skills

• Proven project management experience supported by formal education
• Strong technical background with the ability to understand and evaluate technical specifications
• Effective working independently and in cross-functional team environments
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Self-motivated with strong problem-solving and sound decision-making capabilities
• Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation skills
• Skilled in negotiation, influence, and stakeholder engagement across all organizational levels
• Maintains a professional image and upholds high ethical standards, exercising discretion and confidentiality
• Strong judgment and critical thinking with the ability to resolve complex issues efficiently
• Demonstrated leadership and team-building abilities, including training, performance management, and talent development
• Proficient in strategic planning, budgeting, and financial performance analysis
• Thrives in fast-paced environments with the ability to prioritize competing deadlines effectively
• Willing and able to travel for customer engagements as needed

Benefits:

At Integrated Polymer Solutions, we recognize how important your career and benefits are to you and your family. We offer a full suite of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability coverage, accident insurance, critical illness insurance, basic and supplemental life insurance, employee assistance plan, retirement savings and matching, and other developmental opportunities. We are committed to supporting the way you live and work.

IPS is an Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans/Disabled - Affirmative Action Employer.

This position requires using information subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee.

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