Operations Strategy & Planning Manager

Job description

Job Purpose As a Strategy & Planning Manager at VulcanForms, Devens, MA, your main objective will be to support the design and implementation of a structured management “operating system” for executive leadership team to drive high-impact initiatives across the organization. The role also assists in strengthening cross-functional planning processes, accelerating strategic priorities, and aligning plans with broader business operations and financial planning. Key Responsibilities Design and implement a company-wide management operating system (including intake, prioritization, decision rights, and escalation paths) that creates clarity on how strategy translates into funded, sequenced work. Define and steward governance structures (steering committees, working groups, RACI frameworks) that ensure the right decisions are made at the right level with appropriate speed and accountability. Drive portfolio-level tradeoff conversations by synthesizing competing priorities across business units and surfacing clear options and recommendations for executive decision-making. Create and standardize program health metrics and reporting (OKRs, quarterly business reviews, rolling forecasts, decision frameworks) and package insights into concise, action-oriented materials for leadership. Own and continuously improve cross-functional planning cadences - weekly program reviews, monthly exec updates, and quarterly planning cycles - ensuring actions, owners, and follow-through are consistently captured and resolved. Develop practical resource and capacity visibility across engineering and operational teams (critical skills, bottlenecks, timing constraints) to support scenario planning and tradeoff recommendations. Partner with Finance and HR Business Partners on headcount planning, workforce modeling, and the translation of strategic priorities into funded capacity. Connect engineering and product program plans to broader business planning processes (readiness gates, production ramp assumptions, SIOP/IBP inputs) to drive tighter alignment between Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance. Serve as a connective tissue role between functional leaders by identifying misalignments early, brokering resolution, and keeping the business moving without requiring executive escalation on routine coordination issues. Support the development and socialization of annual and long-range strategic plans, translating leadership intent into actionable roadmaps with clear milestones and owners. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree required (engineering or related field). An MBA or comparable advanced degree is preferred. 3-5 years experience in hardware, industrial, manufacturing, aerospace/defense, robotics, or other complex physical product environments Familiarity with planning cadences (S&OP/SIOP, program reviews, portfolio management) Strong analytical toolkit (Excel/Sheets; comfort with structured problem solving; crisp synthesis) Able to work cross-functionally and communicate clearly with technical and non-technical teams Comfort with ambiguity and end-to-end ownership of workstreams VulcanForms offers a competitive salary and equity package. Actual compensation is based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience. In addition, VulcanForms provides comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; generous paid time off; and a 401(k) plan with company match. The annual base salary range for this position is $121,101.00 to $166,513.00 About Us Founded in 2015 to develop the world’s first industrially scalable laser metal additive manufacturing solution, VulcanForms is reshaping how the world manufactures critical products. We build and operate advanced digital infrastructure that enables innovation, accelerates growth, and supports sustainability across aerospace, defense, medical, and other essential industries. Through our vertically integrated capabilities, including scalable additive manufacturing and precision machining, we deliver true end-to-end production at scale by combining cutting-edge technology with a foundation of proven industrial craftsmanship. Our team brings deep expertise in manufacturing, materials science, software, automation, and operations, united by a shared commitment to quality, curiosity, and accountability. We foster an inclusive culture where people take ownership, solve meaningful problems, and continuously learn, because we believe diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes.