{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"4cc02e8eb115490f75efa346","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/4cc02e8eb115490f75efa346","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/4cc02e8eb115490f75efa346","title":"Program Manager - Defense Programs","description":"Program Manager – Defense Programs\nLocation: Columbus, Mississippi\nJob Type: Full-Time | Exempt\nCompensation: $120,000–$140,000\nSchedule: Monday–Thursday | 7:00 AM–5:30 PM\nTravel: Minimal\nLead High-Impact Defense Programs\nWe are partnering with a growing aerospace and defense manufacturer seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead the planning, execution, and delivery of large, complex Department of Defense programs.\nThis is a high-visibility opportunity for an accomplished defense Program Manager who has successfully managed $100M+ programs, understands the complexities of DoD contracting, and can confidently work with senior military leaders, government customers, executive leadership, and industry partners.\nThe Program Manager will serve as a critical link between the customer and internal teams across manufacturing, operations, supply chain, engineering, quality, and facilities, ensuring programs are delivered on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contractual requirements.\nCandidates coming from the defense industry/manufacturing side are strongly preferred. Experience supporting U.S. Navy programs is especially desirable.\nWhat You'll Do\nProgram Planning & Execution\nLead large-scale defense programs from planning through execution and delivery.\nDevelop detailed program plans, schedules, milestones, deliverables, and resource requirements.\nEstablish program scope, objectives, priorities, and timelines.\nCoordinate resources across multiple departments to ensure successful execution.\nSupport proposals, contract planning, specifications, and financial requirements.\nDoD Customer & Contract Management\nServe as a key point of contact for government customers, senior military leaders, and industry partners.\nManage complex DoD contracts and ensure all contractual commitments and deliverables are achieved.\nLead customer discussions, program reviews, status meetings, and executive-level presentations.\nIdentify customer concerns early and drive issues through resolution.\nBuild trusted, long-term relationships with defense customers and strategic partners.\nBudget & Cost Management\nDevelop and manage program budgets.\nMonitor labor, materials, overhead, and other program costs.\nTrack program performance against financial objectives.\nIdentify cost risks and implement corrective actions when necessary.\nEnsure resources are used efficiently while maintaining program requirements.\nCross-Functional Leadership\nLead cross-functional teams across manufacturing, supply chain, operations, engineering, quality, and facilities.\nEstablish clear responsibilities, priorities, and expectations across the program.\nDrive accountability for schedule, cost, quality, and customer commitments.\nResolve roadblocks and coordinate resources across multiple functional groups.\nRisk & Change Management\nIdentify program risks and develop effective mitigation and contingency plans.\nContinuously monitor cost, schedule, technical, supply chain, and operational risks.\nManage changes to program scope, schedules, budgets, and resources.\nDocument changes and ensure appropriate customer and internal approvals are obtained.\nCompliance & Quality\nEnsure programs comply with contractual, organizational, regulatory, and quality requirements.\nSupport requirements related to ITAR and CMMC.\nPartner with Quality and Operations teams to address program quality concerns.\nEnsure documentation, reporting, and program governance remain accurate and current.\nStrategic Program Leadership\nSupport rapid program ramp-up and organizational growth.\nIntegrate manufacturing capacity, facilities, operations, and supply chain strategy into program planning.\nHelp establish long-term supplier and supply chain partnerships.\nIdentify opportunities to improve program execution, scalability, cost, and delivery performance.\nApply Lean Six Sigma and continuous improvement principles throughout program execution.\nWhat We're Looking For\n10+ years of Program Management experience within a Department of Defense environment.\nDemonstrated experience managing large-scale programs valued at $100M+.\nPMP, PgMP, or equivalent program/project management certification required.\nBachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant technical experience.\nStrong experience managing defense contracts, schedules, budgets, risks, deliverables, and customer expectations.\nExperience interacting directly with senior military leaders and government customers.\nStrong understanding of defense manufacturing, operations, and supply chain environments.\nAdvanced proficiency with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Project.\nStrong executive communication, presentation, organization, and documentation skills.\nAbility to lead complex cross-functional teams without direct reporting authority.\nMust meet applicable U.S. person requirements for ITAR-controlled work.\nHighly Preferred\nProgram management experience working for a defense contractor, aerospace manufacturer, or other industry-side DoD organization.\nSignificant experience supporting U.S. Navy programs.\nExperience integrating manufacturing, operations, facilities, and supply chain into large defense programs.\nLean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.\nERP system experience.\nWhy Consider This Opportunity?\nThis is an opportunity to take ownership of significant defense programs while working directly with executive leadership, military customers, and industry partners.\nYou'll have the ability to influence not only individual program performance, but also broader manufacturing expansion, supply chain strategy, operational execution, and the long-term growth of a rapidly scaling aerospace and defense organization.\nIf you've successfully led major DoD programs and are looking for a role where you can have a meaningful impact on program execution and organizational growth, we'd like to hear from you.\n#LI-KR1\nMOHR Talent is an equal-opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military/veteran status, or any other protected status. If you believe you have been discriminated against or have concerns about our compliance, please contact our Human Resources department at hr@themohrgrp.com","company":"Mohr Enterprises","rawCompany":"mohr enterprises","city":"Columbus","state":"MS","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-08-09T15:05:06.939Z","occupations":[{"code":"13-1082.00","title":"Project Management Specialists","slug":"project-management-specialists"},{"code":"11-1021.00","title":"General and Operations Managers","slug":"general-and-operations-managers"},{"code":"11-3051.00","title":"Industrial Production Managers","slug":"industrial-production-managers"}],"industries":[{"code":"928110","title":"National Security","slug":"national-security"},{"code":"336414","title":"Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing","slug":"guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-manufacturing"},{"code":"336992","title":"Military Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank Component Manufacturing","slug":"military-armored-vehicle-tank-and-tank-component-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Program Manager - Defense Programs","description":"Program Manager – Defense Programs\nLocation: Columbus, Mississippi\nJob Type: Full-Time | Exempt\nCompensation: $120,000–$140,000\nSchedule: Monday–Thursday | 7:00 AM–5:30 PM\nTravel: Minimal\nLead High-Impact Defense Programs\nWe are partnering with a growing aerospace and defense manufacturer seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead the planning, execution, and delivery of large, complex Department of Defense programs.\nThis is a high-visibility opportunity for an accomplished defense Program Manager who has successfully managed $100M+ programs, understands the complexities of DoD contracting, and can confidently work with senior military leaders, government customers, executive leadership, and industry partners.\nThe Program Manager will serve as a critical link between the customer and internal teams across manufacturing, operations, supply chain, engineering, quality, and facilities, ensuring programs are delivered on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contractual requirements.\nCandidates coming from the defense industry/manufacturing side are strongly preferred. Experience supporting U.S. Navy programs is especially desirable.\nWhat You'll Do\nProgram Planning & Execution\nLead large-scale defense programs from planning through execution and delivery.\nDevelop detailed program plans, schedules, milestones, deliverables, and resource requirements.\nEstablish program scope, objectives, priorities, and timelines.\nCoordinate resources across multiple departments to ensure successful execution.\nSupport proposals, contract planning, specifications, and financial requirements.\nDoD Customer & Contract Management\nServe as a key point of contact for government customers, senior military leaders, and industry partners.\nManage complex DoD contracts and ensure all contractual commitments and deliverables are achieved.\nLead customer discussions, program reviews, status meetings, and executive-level presentations.\nIdentify customer concerns early and drive issues through resolution.\nBuild trusted, long-term relationships with defense customers and strategic partners.\nBudget & Cost Management\nDevelop and manage program budgets.\nMonitor labor, materials, overhead, and other program costs.\nTrack program performance against financial objectives.\nIdentify cost risks and implement corrective actions when necessary.\nEnsure resources are used efficiently while maintaining program requirements.\nCross-Functional Leadership\nLead cross-functional teams across manufacturing, supply chain, operations, engineering, quality, and facilities.\nEstablish clear responsibilities, priorities, and expectations across the program.\nDrive accountability for schedule, cost, quality, and customer commitments.\nResolve roadblocks and coordinate resources across multiple functional groups.\nRisk & Change Management\nIdentify program risks and develop effective mitigation and contingency plans.\nContinuously monitor cost, schedule, technical, supply chain, and operational risks.\nManage changes to program scope, schedules, budgets, and resources.\nDocument changes and ensure appropriate customer and internal approvals are obtained.\nCompliance & Quality\nEnsure programs comply with contractual, organizational, regulatory, and quality requirements.\nSupport requirements related to ITAR and CMMC.\nPartner with Quality and Operations teams to address program quality concerns.\nEnsure documentation, reporting, and program governance remain accurate and current.\nStrategic Program Leadership\nSupport rapid program ramp-up and organizational growth.\nIntegrate manufacturing capacity, facilities, operations, and supply chain strategy into program planning.\nHelp establish long-term supplier and supply chain partnerships.\nIdentify opportunities to improve program execution, scalability, cost, and delivery performance.\nApply Lean Six Sigma and continuous improvement principles throughout program execution.\nWhat We're Looking For\n10+ years of Program Management experience within a Department of Defense environment.\nDemonstrated experience managing large-scale programs valued at $100M+.\nPMP, PgMP, or equivalent program/project management certification required.\nBachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant technical experience.\nStrong experience managing defense contracts, schedules, budgets, risks, deliverables, and customer expectations.\nExperience interacting directly with senior military leaders and government customers.\nStrong understanding of defense manufacturing, operations, and supply chain environments.\nAdvanced proficiency with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Project.\nStrong executive communication, presentation, organization, and documentation skills.\nAbility to lead complex cross-functional teams without direct reporting authority.\nMust meet applicable U.S. person requirements for ITAR-controlled work.\nHighly Preferred\nProgram management experience working for a defense contractor, aerospace manufacturer, or other industry-side DoD organization.\nSignificant experience supporting U.S. Navy programs.\nExperience integrating manufacturing, operations, facilities, and supply chain into large defense programs.\nLean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.\nERP system experience.\nWhy Consider This Opportunity?\nThis is an opportunity to take ownership of significant defense programs while working directly with executive leadership, military customers, and industry partners.\nYou'll have the ability to influence not only individual program performance, but also broader manufacturing expansion, supply chain strategy, operational execution, and the long-term growth of a rapidly scaling aerospace and defense organization.\nIf you've successfully led major DoD programs and are looking for a role where you can have a meaningful impact on program execution and organizational growth, we'd like to hear from you.\n#LI-KR1\nMOHR Talent is an equal-opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military/veteran status, or any other protected status. If you believe you have been discriminated against or have concerns about our compliance, please contact our Human Resources department at hr@themohrgrp.com","datePosted":"2026-08-09T15:05:06.939Z","dateModified":"2026-08-09T15:05:06.939Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Mohr Enterprises","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Columbus","addressRegion":"MS","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"4cc02e8eb115490f75efa346"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/4cc02e8eb115490f75efa346"}}