Operations Program Manager

Operations Program Manager – PMO

Chattanooga/Jerome Area | 100% Onsite+ Relocation Assistance

Our client , is seeking an experienced Operations Program Manager to lead the Operations division within a newly established enterprise PMO organization. This role combines hands-on operational program management with direct people leadership responsibilities.

The ideal candidate will oversee a team of Project Managers while managing a portfolio of operational and manufacturing-focused initiatives across multiple facilities.

Mandatory Skills & Experience

• 7–10+ years of Program/Project Management experience
• Prior direct people management experience required
• Must have managed at least 4 direct reports
• Experience conducting performance reviews, coaching, hiring, and employee development
• Strong operational project management background
• Experience within manufacturing, engineering, or operations-driven environments
• Proven ability to manage multiple large-scale projects simultaneously
• Strong stakeholder management and executive communication skills
• Experience building presentations and delivering updates to leadership teams
• Strong PM fundamentals with ability to drive execution

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP Certification preferred
• Master’s Degree is a plus
• Experience working in multi-site manufacturing environments
• PMO governance/process improvement experience

Technical Skills

• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Presentation and reporting tools

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of 4–6 Project Managers
• Oversee operational and manufacturing-related projects across multiple facilities
• Establish PMO governance, standards, and best practices
• Drive project execution, prioritization, reporting, and stakeholder communication
• Support organizational alignment across diverse operational sites
• Partner with leadership teams to execute strategic operational initiatives

Project Types

• Manufacturing initiatives
• Supply chain optimization
• Inventory management projects
• Capacity expansion initiatives
• Engineering and process improvement projects

Additional Information

• Travel: Typically less than 15–20%
• First year requires increased onsite interaction with facilities
• Strong long-term growth opportunity into Director-level PMO leaders

Candidates with strong operational PM experience but lacking true people leadership experience will not be considered.