Program assistant Jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA

BECOME AN OWNER, MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND BUILD FRIENDSHIPS

Who We Are

Founded in 1993, Timberline Manufacturing provides electrical contract manufacturing with a specialization in wire harness assembly, control panels, and electronic assembly. Timberline is 100% employee-owned since 2012. Along with employee ownership, we provide opportunities for advancement, professional growth and financial rewards. From the moment you enter the building, we greet you as a person, not a number.

What We Value

We're not the first to say it, but we certainly mean it - our employees are what makes Timberline so great. That's why we're an employee-owned company.

Program Manager - Commercial

Description: As part of the Commercial team, you will be the customer-facing lead and internal hub for complex wire harness, cable assembly, and electromechanical programs. This role blends technical fluency, disciplined project management, and commercial awareness to ensure on-time, on-spec, and on-budget deliveries. You'll coordinate cross-functional teams (engineering, production, quality, sourcing, and sales) while managing timelines, costs, risks, and customer expectations across new product introductions (NPI) and ongoing production.

Responsibilities:

Program Ownership

• Lead customer programs from quote through NPI, validation, ramp, and steady-state production.
• Build and maintain project plans with clear milestones, dependencies, and risk registers.

Customer Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned projects and programs; facilitate regular reviews (technical/commercial).
• Translate customer requirements, prints, BOMs, and change requests into actionable plans for internal teams.
• Protect scope, margin, and schedule by managing changes via formal ECO/Deviation processes.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Drive daily execution with engineering, production, quality, and supply chain to meet build schedules.
• Align material availability (lead times, allocations, obsolescence) with production needs; escalate constraints.

Quoting & Cost Management

• Support quotations, cost roll-ups, and pricing updates; validate labor routings, tooling, and test costs.
• Track program financials (budget vs. actuals, contribution margin) and implement corrective actions as needed.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with IPC/WHMA-A-620 and applicable standards (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100 if applicable).
• Coordinate PPAP/FAI submissions, validation builds, CARs/CAPAs, and customer audits.

Execution & Reporting

• Run program cadences (stand-ups, tier meetings, customer updates), publish dashboards, and status reports.
• Proactively identify risks (materials, capacity, technical) and lead mitigation plans.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive lessons learned and process improvements across quoting, launch, and production stability.
• Contribute to standard work for program management in high-mix, low-to-mid-volume environments.
• Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• 3 plus years of project management experience
• High school diploma
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP (e.g., Epicor, Infor, SAP), MS Project (or equivalent), and advanced Excel
• Comfortable using project dashboards, Gantt charts, and KPI reporting
• Highly organized with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication and customer-facing presence; able to balance customer needs with business goals
• Organized, detail-oriented, and disciplined in schedule, risk, and change management
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive accountability
• Ability to lift 50lbs as needed
• Ability to stand, sit, and perform repetitive work for long periods of time
• Ability to travel up to approximately 10%

Preferred

• Associate or bachelor's degree in business or a technical field
• Experience working for a Build to Print Contract Manufacturer
• Experience leading process improvements (Lean)
• Experience working with Epicor
• Experience working for a Commercial OEM, Electrical or Electronics Distributor, Manufacturer's Representative, Systems Integrator or Wire Manufacturer
• Experience working in a manufacturing or distribution company in either sales, customer service, operations or engineering role
• Experience working for a Build to Print Contract Manufacture
• Experience working in a manufacturing or distribution company in either sales, customer service, operations or engineering role
• Ability to obtain PMP certification

Timberline Manufacturing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.