Program Manager – Military and Government Sales
Want to work and play in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains? Cascade Designs, home to MSR, Therm-a-Rest, Platypus, SealLine, Packtowl and Varilite, is now headquartered in Reno, NV. Just over an hour from Lake Tahoe with 300 days of sunshine each year, this is the perfect work and play destination for outdoor adventurers at every level. We are seeking passionate, driven, curious people who not only love the outdoors but strive to bring the same passion and curiosity into their work with them every day.
Therm-a-Rest, MSR, Platypus, SealLine, PackTowl, VariLite
We are currently seeking a Program Manager – Military and Government Sales
As a member of the Sales Team this role will play a pivotal role in driving strategic sales initiatives and operational excellence. This position provides comprehensive support across sales, product development, and program execution, ensuring seamless collaboration between key internal departments. The role involves overseeing the transition of new products from development to commercialization while ensuring compliance with Government procurement regulations. Additionally, the Program Manager supports bid proposals, engages in customer interactions, and contributes to long-term strategic planning.
The ideal person should have 8 - 10 years of experience in project management, team leadership and government sales or development projects.
To be effective in this role this individual must have formal training in product development, inventory management and configuration control experience is preferred. We are also look for the ideal candidate to have certifications such as PMP, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Agile Scrum.
This position is an in-office role based in either Reno, NV or Seattle WA. This role will have some schedule flexibility based on supervisor approval and will travel up to 25% of the time.
Position duties / responsibilities:
Sales & Business Development:
· Lead Government bid proposal development, including quoting, pricing strategies, and bid submissions.
· Participate in customer meetings and tradeshows, serving as a key advocate for CDI offerings.
· Conduct detailed research on agency needs, crafting compelling proposals that highlight value propositions.
Regulatory Compliance & Government Procurement:
· Navigate complex regulatory frameworks, including Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).
· Ensure adherence to evolving Government contracting guidelines through regular audits and compliance assessments.
Program Management & Product Development:
· Develop and maintain project schedules to track Government projects during field evaluation/testing and commercialization.
· Coordinate cross-functional teams, ensuring seamless collaboration across Product Development, Supply Chain, Finance, Configuration Management, Operations, and Quality.
· Manage product commercialization efforts to bring innovations to full market readiness.
Strategic Planning & Financial Analysis:
· Contribute to strategic planning, budgeting, and forecasting.
· Provide technical insights in project proposals and status reports.
· Partner with Finance to create accurate Business Case Analyses, ensuring precise costing for new and existing products.
Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration:
· Drive team alignment and consensus-building between Government Sales, Product Development, Operations, and Quality, fostering a results-oriented culture.
Other Duties:
· Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Government Sales
Candidate requirements:
Education & Certifications:
· Bachelor's degree in business, Engineering, or a related field, OR equivalent Government or professional experience.
· Formal training in Product Development, Inventory Management, and Configuration Control preferred.
· Certifications such as PMP, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, or Agile Scrum are advantageous.
Experience:
· Minimum 8 years of experience in project management, team leadership, and government sales or development projects.
· Proficiency in MRP and Product Data Management systems preferred.
· Strong understanding of Bills of Materials and Bills of Labor processes preferred.
· Prior experience in Government contracting or the specialty outdoor sporting goods industry is beneficial.
Skills & Abilities:
· Exceptional decision-making and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail.
· Ability to maintain up-to-date knowledge of Government procurement policies, regulations, and legislative changes.
· Strong negotiation, adaptability, and relationship-building skills to drive success in Government sales.
· Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and business communication platforms.
· Ability to prioritize, organize, and execute tasks in a fast-paced environment.
· Strong cross-team collaboration and ability to lead by example.
Working Conditions
· In-office work schedule, with flexibility based on approval by the supervisor.
· Work in office, production floor and testing facility environments.
· Travel required up to 25% annually (domestic and international) for key account meetings, sales events, and supplier engagements.
Some of our amazing benefits include...
The position responsibilities outlined above are in no way to be construed as all-encompassing. Other duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be required and/or assigned as necessary.
Cascade Designs Inc.
Cascade Designs began in 1972 with the simple desire to provide a more comfortable night outdoors. Since then, we have grown to become the parent company of some of the most respected brands in the outdoor industry. Though much has changed over the years, our methods for achieving excellence have not. We believe that manufacturing many of our products in our own U.S. and European facilities is an essential element in maintaining the quality users deserve, and that by striving to exceed our customers’ expectations of service, we will be successful for many years to come.
Our core purpose is to provide innovative, useful and long-lasting products that improve the adventures and wellbeing of our customers.
Cascade Designs Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, veteran's status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, or any other basis protected by law.