Program Manager

Company Description American Plastic Molding (APM) is an Employee-owned and operated organization specializing in product realization through engineering and manufacturing. With core competencies in assembly and injection molding, APM offers supply chain sourcing, management, and inventory services. The company, founded in 1971, generates $20 million in annual sales and operates in a 60,000 square foot facility in Scottsburg, IN. Role Description The Program Manager will play a key role in both growing revenue and ensuring technical success. The position blends proactive business development and account management with technical sales support and project leadership. From qualifying leads to ensuring seamless production launches, the Sales Engineer partners with customers and internal teams to deliver value from quotes through production. KEY RESPONSBILITIES: Program Management: Manage budgets, resources, and timelines for production programs. Lead cross-functional teams (Engineering, Quality, Tooling, and Production) through project launches up to PPAP and manufacturing handoff. Collaborate with Quality on corrective actions, engineering change notices, and control plan development. Identify areas for improvement and implement efficient strategies. Act as a bridge between production teams and clients, ensuring smooth communication and efficient project execution Serve as main point of contact for assigned customers from concept through production launch. Resolve part-to-print issues and coordinate approvals, deviations, and processing changes. Participate in cost-saving initiatives and offer design for manufacturability (DFM) input. Maintain and update project timelines, milestone tracking, and internal documentation. Identify high-margin molding products and prioritize their development. Use cost-benefit analysis to optimize pricing strategies and maximize profitability. Support production tool maintenance and tooling vendor relationships as needed. Ensure ISO 9001 and APQP compliance throughout the quoting and project lifecycle. Maintain accurate CRM records, including project health status, win/loss data, and customer communications. Sales & Business Development: Identify, qualify, and convert opportunities from trade shows, CRM, external reps, and data sources (e.g., ZoomInfo). Manage quoting activity in CRM and IQMS, ensuring timely follow-up and conversion of open RFQs. Develop and execute growth strategies for assigned accounts to increase share of wallet and improve margins. Support APM's quoting thresholds: $100K+ for new customers; $50K+ for existing customers unless strategic. Review customer drawings, RFQs, and specifications for manufacturability, material suitability, moldability, and press capacity. Prepare and submit accurate quotations, using cost models and engineering analysis tools. Ensure seamless coordination between sales and production teams to meet delivery timelines. Conduct regular customer site visits, virtual meetings, and quarterly business reviews to support relationship growth and uncover new opportunities. Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms to close deals. Address customer inquiries and provide technical support. Additional Responsibilities: · Stay current on innovative technologies relevant to plastic injection molding and sales engineering. · Provide technical support for Sales and act as customer agent for special requests. · Assist internal teams with ISO compliance and internal audits. · Perform other duties as assigned by APM Management. Qualifications Project/program management and coordination skills Strong understanding of plastic injection molding, tooling, and manufacturing processes. Ability to read and interpret technical prints, part drawings, and specifications Strong communication and leadership abilities Proficient in Microsoft Office, CRM, ERP (IQMS), quoting tools, and basic CAD Experience in injection molding or manufacturing industry Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field