Program Manager, Manufacturing & Supply Chain Initiatives

Why This Role Exists Catalyst Connection manages programs that help manufacturers adopt advanced technologies, strengthen supply chains, improve operational performance, and remain competitive. These initiatives bring together funding organizations, manufacturers, technical experts, and industry partners, requiring effective coordination, financial oversight, and accountability. We’re looking for someone who can take ownership of assigned programs, manage their successful execution, and ensure we deliver on our commitments and achieve meaningful results. Who You Are We believe three qualities are especially important for success in this role. If these sound like you, we’d love to hear your stories. You Bring Order to Complexity You enjoy bringing people, resources, and ideas together to accomplish something meaningful. You’re comfortable managing competing priorities, coordinating different stakeholders, and adjusting plans when circumstances change. Where others might see too many moving parts, you see an opportunity to make things work better. You find satisfaction in creating clarity, building momentum, and helping everyone move toward a common goal. You Look Beyond the Obvious You’re naturally curious about why things work the way they do. You ask thoughtful questions, examine information carefully, and look for the underlying causes of problems rather than settling for quick answers. You enjoy connecting technical information with practical business realities and using evidence to identify opportunities that can make a measurable difference. You Take Ownership of Results You take pride in following through on your commitments and delivering results. You hold yourself to high standards, anticipate challenges, and take initiative when something needs attention. You understand that accountability goes beyond completing assigned tasks. It means taking responsibility for outcomes, communicating openly, and earning the confidence of the people who depend on you. Who We Are We’re a nonprofit organization and part of the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) network, dedicated to helping small and medium-sized manufacturers throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania become more competitive, productive, and resilient. We work directly with manufacturers to understand their challenges, connect them with the right resources, and help them make meaningful improvements. The Opportunity As our Program Manager, Manufacturing & Supply Chain Initiatives, you’ll manage the day-to-day execution of assigned programs within our Supply Chain Initiatives department. Your work may involve manufacturing assessments, advanced technology adoption, supplier development, supply chain research, technical assistance programs, mini-grants, training, and industry engagement. You’ll coordinate the people, resources, and activities necessary to ensure these initiatives meet their objectives. You’ll be responsible for managing program schedules, deliverables, budgets, documentation, reporting, and closeout within approved scopes and procedures. You’ll work closely with manufacturers, funding organizations, technical specialists, and internal colleagues, drawing on specialized expertise when needed. This is a role for someone who enjoys managing complex initiatives, building productive relationships, solving problems, and ensuring that important work gets done. What You’ll Do Manage Assigned Programs – Manage assigned programs from launch through completion, including workplans, schedules, milestones, deliverables, budget monitoring, performance measurement, reporting, and closeout. You’ll keep programs organized, anticipate challenges, and identify issues requiring additional guidance or action. Coordinate Partners and Resources – Serve as a primary point of coordination for manufacturers, funding organizations, technical experts, vendors, training providers, and internal t…

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