Materials Program Manager I

Position Summary The Material Program Manager leads material strategy, execution, and cross-functional coordination for complex aerospace and defense programs operating under strict contractual, regulatory, and quality requirements. This role ensures material readiness, manages supply risk, supports cost and schedule performance, and serves as a key interface across program management, supply chain, engineering, manufacturing, quality, contracts, and finance. Key Responsibilities Lead end-to-end material management activities from contract award through production, delivery, and sustainment. Develop and execute material strategies aligned to program schedules, customer requirements, and financial objectives. Serve as the material focal point for program reviews, customer discussions, internal operations reviews, and executive updates. Partner with program management to translate demand, schedule changes, engineering updates, and risk into executable supply chain plans. Drive material readiness for development, production, repair, and field support requirements. Monitor shortages, allocations, long lead items, inventory health, and supplier performance to protect schedule commitments. Lead material risk identification, mitigation planning, and escalation for obsolescence, sole-source exposure, quality issues, and capacity constraints. Coordinate with procurement, planning, manufacturing, warehouse, quality, and engineering teams to resolve material constraints quickly and effectively. Support subcontract management, make-buy decisions, and material strategies in compliance with customer and internal requirements. Ensure adherence to contractual flow-downs, FAR/DFARS requirements, export control obligations, traceability rules, and quality documentation expectations. Prepare concise material status reporting, recovery plans, and risk summaries for leadership and program stakeholders. Lead development, validation, and continuous maintenance of material Estimates at Complete (EACs), ensuring accuracy, traceability, and alignment with program financial baselines. Analyze cost variances between actuals, commitments, and forecasts to identify key drivers, root causes, and required corrective actions impacting material EAC performance. Partner closely with Finance, Supply Chain, and Engineering to gather cost inputs, assess risks and opportunities, and deliver timely, high-quality EAC updates. Validate supplier quotes, purchase orders, and subcontractor inputs to ensure alignment with EAC assumptions and program financial objectives. Provide material cost insight and data-driven recommendations during monthly program reviews and quarterly EAC reviews. BOM maintenance Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field. 7+ years of experience in materials management, supply chain, program support, or operations within aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment. Demonstrated experience supporting complex programs with strict delivery, quality, compliance, and configuration control requirements. Strong knowledge of material planning, procurement, inventory control, supplier management, and ERP/MRP execution. Ability to analyze data, assess risk, prioritize issues, and drive decisions in fast-paced program environments. Effective leadership, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and brief senior leadership. Preferred Qualifications Experience supporting U.S. government, defense, or foreign military funded programs. Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS, ITAR, EAR, AS9100, and configuration-controlled production environments. Experience with subcontract management, supplier corrective actions, and long lead material planning. Knowledge of earned value principles, EAC support, cost/schedule integration, and program financial drivers. APICS/ASCM, PMP, CPSM, or similar professional certification. Core Competencies Program material leadership Risk management and mitigation Cross-functional collaboration Schedule-driven execution Supplier performance management Regulatory and contractual compliance Data-driven decision-making Executive communication Success Measures Material availability to support program milestones Reduction in shortages and expedited recovery cycle time On-time delivery performance Inventory health and cost performance Supplier responsiveness and execution Compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements Role is open to onsite, hybrid or remote Here Are Some of the Great Benefits We Offer: Most locations offer a 9/80 schedule, providing every other Friday off Competitive compensation & 401(k) program to plan for your future Robust medical, dental, vision, & disability coverage with qualified wellness discounts Basic Life Insurance and Additional Life & AD&D Insurances are available Flexible Vacation & PTO Paid Parental Leave Generous Employee Referral Program Voluntary Benefits Available: Longer Term Care, Legal, Identity Theft, Pet Insurance, and more Voluntary Tricare Supplement available for military retirees Why Roanoke, Virginia? Lower cost of living Family-friendly area Career and economic growth Scenic beauty Outdoor enthusiast's dream This job description does not list all the duties of the job. You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not an employment contract. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Twenty-Six Defense is an equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. *For Virginia-based positions only* In accordance with Virginia DOL requirements, the listed salary range reflects the anticipated base pay range for this role. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including skills, experience, education, certifications, business needs, internal equity, and geographic location. Compensation may vary in different locations based on market conditions and cost-of-labor considerations. #J-18808-Ljbffr