Job Description
Program Manager II
Job Location:  Middletown, IA 52638
Teams:  Project Management
Req Id:  2867
Posting Start Date:  10/9/25
Job Type:  Full-Time
Work Type:  Onsite
Job Description: 

Lead Innovation & Impact at American Ordnance!

Join American Ordnance, a proud Day & Zimmermann company, where innovation meets mission! As a Program Manager II, you’ll lead the charge in developing and producing high-quality ammunition that keeps our nation’s front lines equipped and protected. This role puts you at the center of engineering, technology, and collaboration partnering with government agencies, suppliers, and expert teams to bring complex defense projects to life. If you’re a driven leader with a passion for precision, problem-solving, and purpose, this is your opportunity to make an impact where it truly matters!

As the Program Manager II, here’s the impactful work you’ll do:

  • Leads and directs the engineering, management, development, sample production and planning for full rate production of a product line.
  • Develops methods and processes for product development. 
  • Directs the integration of company activity with key technology partners to ensure the product conforms to performance specifications.
  • Serves as primary point of contact for suppliers, vendors and internal service providers.
  • Serves as primary point of contact with government representatives to facilitate product development and production.
  • Oversees engineering, testing and production of sample products to be supplied to customer for testing and review.

This role is for you if you have these skills:

  • Proven leadership and experience in effectively directing and providing high-level oversight of program administration. 
  • Excellent customer service skills.
  • Demonstrated experience in the interpretation of government contract requirements and the implementation of processes for product development.
  • Responds promptly to customer needs; both internal and external.
  • Maintains confidentiality. 
  • Listens and gets clarification, responds well to questions; Has excellent phone skills. 
  • Proficiency in Word, Access, Excel, Outlook, and other software programs is needed; Writes clearly and informatively.
  • Strong financial skills to maintain budgets and project planning; Presents numerical data effectively.

And if you have these qualifications:

  • Bachelors Degree in Business Administration or technical field, Masters desirable but not required.
  • 10+ years of progressively complex experience in Government Procurement field with a minimum of four years management experience in procurement.
  • May require US government secret clearance.
  • Must possess a valid REAL ID-compliant drivers license, which includes the gold or black star in the upper corner, indicating it is federally compliant.
  • Great attitude and team player.
  • Successful completion of background screening process. 


 
In compliance with this states pay transparency laws, the salary range for this role is $107,200 - $160,800. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. (The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements).

We care about our employees and it shows!

Our staff receive a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical/Rx, dental and vision coverage; life, AD&D and disability insurance; flexible spending accounts; 100% paid maternity leave for up to 12 weeks, parental leave, family leave, other paid time off; voluntary benefits and discount programs to meet our employees individual needs including pet insurance for our furry family members!


To ensure a safe work environment while meeting the physical demands of the job, you must be able to perform the following physical and mental tasks, with or without a reasonable accommodation:

 

  • Visual acuity (e.g., needed to prepare and analyze data, to transcribe documents, to view a computer, to read, to inspect objects, to operate machinery.
  • Balancing (e.g. maintaining equilibrium when walking, climbing, crouching, etc.)
  • Stooping (e.g. bending the spine at the waist)
  • Reaching (e.g. reaching the arms or legs in any direction)
  • Lifting motion or lifting objects more than 15 pounds
  • Walking
  • Repetitive motion of any part of the body
  • Kneeling, crouching or crawling
  • Pushing or pulling (e.g. using a part of your body to press against something in a downward or outward direction or in a dragging or hauling motion)
  • Manual Dexterity (e.g. picking, pinching, typing, or other working that uses fingers)
  • Grasping (e.g. use of hand to apply pressure)
  • Feeling (e.g. perceiving an objects size, shape, texture, etc.)
  • Climbing (e.g. ascending/descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, pole, etc. using feet and legs and hands/arms to climb)
  • Hearing
  • Talking
  • Capacity to think, concentrate and focus for long periods of time
  • Ability to read complex documents in the English language
  • Capacity to reason and make sound decisions
  • Ability to write complex documents in the English language
  • Capacity to express thoughts orally
  • Expertise in: EXCEL, WORD, CADD (Revit/Bentley)
  • Ability to wear a mask, respirator, bullet proof vest, or other equipment
  • Ability to regularly perform all job functions at Companys office or worksite
  • Ability to withstand environmental conditions (e.g. extreme heat or cold, grass, wind, sand, fumes, odors, gases, extreme noise, etc.)

Ready to join our mission? We're eager to connect with you!

-Talent Acquisition Partner: Fantasia Jacobs-Fuller

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