Job Summary

We are seeking a Business Development Program Manager to support small and mid-sized manufacturers across Washington State in solving real business challenges, improving operations, and achieving measurable growth. This direct hire opportunity is ideal for a manufacturing operations professional who enjoys consulting, coaching, continuous improvement, and hands-on problem solving.

In this highly visible role, you will partner directly with business owners, plant leaders, and executive teams to assess operational needs, identify improvement opportunities, and guide practical implementation plans. You will have significant autonomy, a flexible home-office work structure, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on local manufacturers, jobs, and communities.

This is a strong fit for someone who wants to move beyond a traditional operations role and use their manufacturing expertise in a consultative capacity. You will join a mission-driven environment that values collaboration, professional development, practical results, and long-term client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

- Conduct on-site business and operational assessments for manufacturing clients throughout Western Washington.
- Identify opportunities for process improvement, growth, technology adoption, modernization, and Industry 4.0 initiatives.
- Develop practical implementation roadmaps, action plans, and measurable improvement strategies.
- Lead continuous improvement, operational excellence, and change management initiatives with client leadership teams.
- Coach business owners, executives, managers, and plant leaders through operational challenges and growth opportunities.
- Manage multiple client projects simultaneously while tracking outcomes, communicating return on investment, and maintaining strong relationships.

Compensation and Benefits

- Direct hire opportunity.
- Salary range: $125,000 to $135,000 per year.
- Primarily remote and home-office based role.
- Approximately three days per week in the field meeting with manufacturing clients.
- Frequent client visits throughout Western Washington, particularly the Puget Sound region.
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Retirement plan with company match.
- Generous paid time off and holidays.
- Flexible scheduling.
- Work-from-home flexibility.
- Professional development and training opportunities.
- Cell phone reimbursement.
- Mileage and travel reimbursement.
- Life and disability insurance.
- Employee assistance resources.

Required Qualifications and Skills

- Conduct operational assessments and develop actionable improvement plans for manufacturing clients.
- Lead continuous improvement, operational excellence, Lean, Six Sigma, quality, production, or process improvement initiatives.
- Manage multiple consulting-style projects, timelines, client relationships, and measurable business outcomes.
- Advise and influence owners, executives, and plant leadership teams on operational improvements and change management.

- 6 to 10 years of relevant manufacturing, operations, continuous improvement, or program management experience.
- Experience working directly in manufacturing environments.
- Demonstrated success implementing measurable improvements in efficiency, quality, productivity, cost, or operational performance.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, production planning, process improvement, and operational leadership practices.
- Ability to influence stakeholders without direct authority and build credibility with senior leaders and plant teams.
- Excellent communication, coaching, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage several initiatives at once.
- Curiosity, adaptability, problem-solving ability, and a passion for continuous learning.
- Ability to travel regularly throughout Western Washington for client visits.

Preferred Qualifications

- Background as an Operations Manager, Continuous Improvement Manager, Lean Practitioner, Manufacturing Consultant, Quality Manager, Quality Engineer, Operational Excellence Leader, Plant Manager, Manufacturing Program Manager, or Process Improvement Specialist.
- Lean, Six Sigma, quality management, operational excellence, or project management training or certification.
- Experience supporting small and mid-sized manufacturers.
- Experience with technology adoption, automation, modernization, or Industry 4.0 initiatives.
- Prior consulting, advisory, coaching, or client-facing program management experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

The Know Your Rights poster is available here:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf

The pay transparency policy is available here:
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf

For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.

AppleOne participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf

We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.