The DC Program Manager - Operational Excellence identifies and drives the process, system, supplier, and cross-functional capabilities required to reduce quote and fulfilment lead times, increase scalability, and help Siemon capture more Data Center business. This hands-on role combines program management with subject matter expertise across functions and processes from quoting through post order support. The best candidate is someone who has walked into messy, high-growth operational environments, figured out where the constraints were, built practical tools and processes, and persuaded others to adopt better ways of working.
The role requires strong project execution, technical and business judgment, data analysis, communication, and follow-through. The Program Manager will create plans, maintain action registers, coordinate with stakeholders, escalate risks, and directly complete work needed to deliver scalable capabilities, high win rates, and customer satisfaction. The position collaborates with Engineering, Product Management, Operations, Quality, Purchasing, Logistics, IT, Sales, Customer Service, Technical Support, suppliers, and contract manufacturers. Some coordination outside standard North American business hours and limited domestic or international travel may be required.
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE Essential - Proven ability to manage programs and projects from definition through execution, including scope, schedule, action items, risks, stakeholders, status updates, and completion criteria.
- Able to convert inputs into clear priorities, plans, systems and results.
- Ability to drive change across peer functions without direct authority.
- Ability to turn resistance into alignment through data, urgency, and practical solutions.
- Strong technical aptitude with the ability to understand specifications, BOMs, supply chains, qualification requirements, packaging, and production processes.
- Demonstrated capability with AI-enabled tools, workflow automation, reporting, data analysis, or low-code/no-code systems; able to build useful tools independently and partner with IT when deeper technical support is required.
- Strong business case development and ability to drive stakeholder consensus.
- Hands-on capability to complete project work directly, including data analysis, process mapping, process documentation, and supplier and customer interaction.
- Experience using ERP/MRP systems, spreadsheets, and reporting tools to support prioritization, project execution, and decision-making.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including clear project updates, meeting notes, action registers, and escalations.
- Strong organization, attention to detail, follow-through, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-growth environment.
Preferred - 3+ years of direct industry experience with Data Center products, fiber optics, or a closely related technical industry.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, or another technical field.
- Experience with supplier qualification, product qualification, NPD and manufacturing process validation.
- Familiarity with Oracle, Oracle Analytics, dashboards, and production related systems.
- Lean, Six Sigma, APICS, PMP, AI-enabled tools, workflow automation, or reporting automation experience.
- Experience using AI-enabled tools, workflow automation and reporting automation to improve speed, accuracy, and scalability.
BEHAVIORS - Demonstrates ownership, urgency, accountability, flexibility, and commitment to results in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
- Be hands-on, challenge existing processes constructively, reduce risk, and improve performance.
- Communicates clearly, proactively, and respectfully across functions, regions, suppliers, and management levels.
- Maintains professionalism under pressure and consistently reflects the Siemon Company Culture Code.
RESPONSIBILITIES Program management and execution - Identify, lead, and support technical and operational projects from business case development through completion to drive profitable revenue growth, improve quote win rates, and reduce fulfilment lead times.
- Develop program and project plans, schedules, trackers, action registers, status reports, and escalation routines. Communicate progress, risks, resource needs, decisions, and next steps to relevant stakeholders.
- Directly perform project work as needed, including data collection, analysis, documentation, stakeholder interaction, process mapping, and issue resolution.
Systems, tools, and operational enablement - Optimize and automate systems, workflows, and information flows to improve quote response, landed cost, operational readiness, fulfillment, scalability, and decision-making.
- Develop, validate, and improve tools, templates, calculators, reports, trackers, documentation, training, and procedures before broader deployment.
- Apply PDCA and continuous improvement methods to identify root causes, reduce risk, resolve issues, and improve standards.
- Provide hands-on support for urgent business critical issues when needed, while identifying and implementing process changes that reduce recurring escalations and dependency on manual intervention.
Supplier, product, and manufacturing readiness - Support qualification and onboarding of suppliers, contract manufacturers, manufacturing sites, products, materials, assembly processes, and system integrations.
- Work with Engineering, Product Management, suppliers, and internal teams to ensure specifications, documentation, manufacturing readiness, and capacity plans are clear, accurate, and executable.
