Polar Racking Inc. is a North American leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of PV mounting systems. We are at the forefront of PV innovation, leading the industry in cutting-edge design with a focus on continuous innovation, with a vision to deliver the highest value to our clients at the lowest cost per kWh. Our diversified portfolio of ground mount products for the commercial and utility scale markets, coupled with our unique suite of engineering collaboration tools, technical services, and installation support, allows us to deliver turnkey solutions that are modular, lighter, and quicker to install. We support our North American clients from multiple locations in North America.
Program Manager, Contract Manufacturing & Production Launch
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced and driven Program Manager, Contract Manufacturing & Production Launch to lead cross-functional manufacturing programs supporting the successful delivery of solar racking systems, including fixed tilt, carport, and single-axis tracker solutions.
This role is well suited for a program manager with experience in automotive, steel fabrication, industrial manufacturing, or contract manufacturing environments who understands production launch, supplier coordination, tooling readiness, engineering changes, cost control, quality expectations, and delivery performance.
The Program Manager will oversee programs from concept and design release through supplier readiness, manufacturing launch, production ramp-up, and customer delivery. The role will act as the central point of accountability between engineering, supply chain, procurement, quality, manufacturing partners, logistics, and internal stakeholders to ensure programs are delivered on time, on cost, and to required quality standards.
Principal Responsibilities / Key Result Areas
- Lead the full lifecycle of manufacturing and supply chain programs from concept, design release, sourcing, tooling, production launch, ramp-up, and delivery.
- Manage cross-functional program execution across engineering, procurement, supply chain, operations, logistics, quality, finance, manufacturing partners, and suppliers.
- Develop and maintain detailed program timing plans, milestones, budgets, resource plans, risk registers, launch readiness trackers, and open issue lists.
- Own program timing, cost, quality, delivery, and launch readiness performance.
- Coordinate new product introductions, design changes, supplier launches, manufacturing readiness, and production ramp-up activities.
- Manage BOM accuracy, revision control, part releases, drawing updates, ERP/MRP alignment, and communication of changes across procurement, engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers.
- Coordinate tooling, fixtures, materials, fabrication processes, production capacity, packaging, and logistics requirements to support successful production launch.
- Work closely with engineering and manufacturing partners to improve manufacturability, assembly efficiency, fabrication methods, cost competitiveness, and production scalability.
- Lead supplier and subcontract manufacturer coordination, including sourcing support, qualification, production readiness, capacity validation, tooling status, delivery schedules, and quality performance.
- Monitor manufacturing and supply chain KPIs, including on-time delivery, cost performance, quality issues, supplier performance, inventory, lead times, and production constraints.
- Support capacity planning, production forecasting, material readiness, and scheduling activities to meet customer project timelines.
- Lead risk assessments and mitigation plans related to supplier capacity, material availability, tooling delays, manufacturing constraints, logistics issues, and quality concerns.
- Facilitate engineering change management and ensure changes to BOMs, drawings, tooling, costing, supplier scope, production processes, and delivery timing are properly reviewed, approved, communicated, and implemented.
- Lead regular program reviews with internal teams, suppliers, and manufacturing partners to track timing, deliverables, risks, constraints, and corrective actions.
- Drive issue resolution using structured problem-solving methods, clear ownership, escalation paths, and follow-up discipline.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives related to Lean Manufacturing, workflow optimization, cost reduction, supplier development, and operational excellence.
- Collaborate with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to resolve technical, operational, quality, and supply chain challenges.
- Support strategic sourcing and supplier development initiatives to improve cost, quality, capacity, and long-term scalability.
- Travel occasionally to supplier facilities, contract manufacturing sites, customer sites, and industry events as required.
- Ensure compliance with company procedures, quality expectations, health and safety requirements, and applicable project requirements.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business, or a related field.
- Minimum 5+ years of experience in program management, manufacturing operations, supplier launch, contract manufacturing, supply chain, or industrial production environments.
- Direct experience in automotive, Tier 1/Tier 2 manufacturing, steel fabrication, metal forming, industrial equipment, construction products, renewable energy, or similar manufacturing environments is strongly preferred.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing launch, production ramp-up, supplier coordination, tooling readiness, process planning, and cross-functional program execution.
- Experience managing BOMs, engineering changes, part releases, ERP/MRP systems, revision control, and production documentation.
- Knowledge of fabrication, metal forming, welding, machining, assembly, tooling, fixtures, packaging, and manufacturing best practices is considered an asset.
- Experience working with suppliers, subcontract manufacturers, contract manufacturers, and procurement teams.
- Ability to manage multiple complex programs in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Strong program management discipline, including timing plans, milestone tracking, issue logs, risk management, cost tracking, and executive-level reporting.
- Strong analytical, organizational, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence engineering, supply chain, quality, operations, suppliers, and senior stakeholders.
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, APQP, PPAP, 8D, Six Sigma, or structured problem-solving methods is considered an asset.
- PMP certification or equivalent program management training is considered an asset.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel, project tracking tools, and ERP/MRP systems.
- Ability to travel as required.
Preferred Background
Candidates with experience in the following environments are strongly encouraged to apply:
- Automotive Tier 1 or Tier 2 manufacturing
- Contract manufacturing
- Steel fabrication or metal forming
- Industrial equipment manufacturing
- Supplier launch or supplier development
- Production ramp-up and launch management
- High-volume or repeatable manufacturing environments
- Solar racking, renewable energy, or construction product manufacturing
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate has the discipline of an automotive program manager and the flexibility to apply that experience in a growing solar manufacturing environment. They understand how to move a product from engineering release into production, how to hold suppliers accountable, how to manage timing pressure, and how to keep cost, quality, and delivery under control.
This person should be comfortable working in a hands-on environment where programs require coordination across internal teams, external manufacturers, and project-driven customer deadlines.
Why Polar Racking?
Join our team and become part of a dynamic company at the forefront of the renewable energy sector. In addition to competitive compensation, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including RRSP contributions, generous vacation time, and the opportunity for career growth.
As a valued member of our team, you'll also enjoy perks such as a company vehicle and a collaborative, fun work environment where innovation and teamwork are celebrated. If you're passionate about making a positive impact in the world while working with a supportive team, we invite you to apply and embark on an exciting journey with us.
We value an innovative, diverse workplace where all colleagues feel empowered to be their authentic selves. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.
