Job Details

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.

Our Brands:

Therm-a-Rest, MSR, Platypus, SealLine, PackTowl, VariLite

We are currently seeking a Program Manager - Military and Government Sales

The Cascade Designs, Inc (CDI) Government Sales Program Manager serves as a strategic linchpin, driving transformative sales initiatives and operational excellence within the Government & Military Sales division. This role orchestrates comprehensive support across sales, product development, and program execution, ensuring seamless collaboration among key internal departments. The successful candidate will hold strict adherence to Government procurement regulations, while nurturing bid proposals, engaging directly with customers, and supports the shaping of long-term strategic product and sales planning that aligns with organizational objectives.

Essential Functions:

Sales & Business Development:

• Lead Comprehensive Bid Proposals: Spearhead the development and execution of Government bid proposals by formulating detailed quotations, defining pricing strategies, and managing the entire bid submission process.
• Advocate for CDI Offerings: Represent and champion CDI's portfolio at customer meetings and tradeshows, highlighting the distinctive benefits and capabilities of our solutions.
• Market and Agency Analysis: Conduct thorough research on agency requirements and market trends to craft compelling proposals that clearly articulate our value proposition and competitive edge.

Regulatory Compliance & Government Procurement:

• Navigate Regulatory Frameworks: Expertly maneuver through complex regulatory landscapes, ensuring compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).
• Maintain Compliance Excellence: Execute systematic audits and compliance reviews to ensure strict adherence to evolving Government contracting guidelines and industry standards.

Program Management & Product Development:

• Manage Project Lifecycles: Develop and maintain detailed project schedules to monitor Government projects through field evaluations, rigorous testing phases, and eventual commercialization.
• Foster Cross-Functional Collaboration: Coordinate with cross-departmental teams-including Product Development, Supply Chain, Finance, Configuration Management, Operations, and Quality-to ensure an integrated approach to project execution.

Strategic Planning & Financial Analysis:

• Guide Strategic Initiatives: Actively contribute to strategic planning efforts by influencing budgeting and forecasting processes within the Government division.
• Ensure Financial Rigor: Collaborate with Finance to develop accurate Business Case Analyses, ensuring precise costing and robust financial planning for both new and existing products.
• Provide Regulatory Insight: Deliver expert regulatory guidance in the development of project proposals and comprehensive status reports that align with Government standards and strategic objectives.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Champion Team Alignment: Inspire team cohesion and drive consensus between Government Sales, Product Development, Operations, and Quality, fostering a dynamic, results-oriented culture.
• Mentor and Develop Talent: Cultivate junior team members by sharing expertise and best practices in Government contracting and program execution, thereby reinforcing a culture of continuous improvement.

Other Duties:

• Drive Commercialization Efforts: Oversee product commercialization initiatives to ensure the smooth transition of innovative solutions into full market readiness.
• Adapt to Evolving Priorities: Perform additional responsibilities and special projects as assigned by the Director of Government Sales, remaining agile to meet evolving business needs.

Job Specifications:

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field, OR equivalent Government or professional experience.
• Formal training in Product Management or Project Management is strongly preferred.
• Certifications such as PMP, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, or Agile Scrum are highly advantageous.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of robust experience in program management, team leadership, and navigating Government sales or development projects.
• Proficiency in using MRP and Product Data Management systems is preferred.
• A solid understanding of Bills of Materials (BOMs) and Bills of Labor processes is highly desirable.
• Prior experience in Government contracting or the specialty outdoor sporting goods industry is a distinct asset.

Skills & Abilities:

• Exceptional decision-making and problem-solving skills, with a meticulous attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to stay abreast of the latest Government procurement policies, regulatory changes, and legislative updates.
• Strong negotiation skills, adaptability, and a proven track record in relationship building to drive success in Government sales.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) along with modern business communication platforms.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and execute tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• A natural leader with robust cross-team collaboration skills and the ability to lead by example.

Working Conditions:

• Location: This is an in-office position based in Reno, NV.
• Schedule: Enjoy flexible hours as approved by the supervisor.
• Environment: Operate in a casual office setting with convenient access to warehouse, production floors, and laboratory facilities.
• Travel: Be prepared to travel up to 25% annually (both domestic and international) for key account meetings, sales events, and supplier engagements.

Some of our amazing benefits include...

• 3 weeks paid time off per year
• 10 paid holidays
• 3 Floating holidays
• Great health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
• 401(K) with company matching
• Life insurance paid by Cascade Designs
• Activity Gear Loaner Program and discounts on products purchased through Pro Deals
• $100 to spend on Cascades Designs products and an employee discount on all Cascade Designs gear!

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.