The Operations Leadership Development Program (OLDP) is a three year corporate program designed to develop high-potential, entry-level employees for future leadership positions in fields such as manufacturing, procurement, and quality. The program provides a diverse set of experiences through four to six rotational assignments, technical leadership training programs, advanced education, leadership opportunities, and mentoring. OLDP members are often assigned to one or two of the many ongoing improvement projects, including Six Sigma Green Belt projects. The current coordinator for the program is Amy Smith. (amy.r.smith@baesystems.com)
Typical Candidate
Members of the program generally have a bachelor's degree in engineering and are motivated individuals who are willing to take the initiative to pursue and follow through on both work and personal development goals. They are expected to be effective communicators and problem solvers and develop into future leaders of the business.
Rotations
Participants will work four to six rotations within the functions of operations. The first rotation usually starts in June and goes through December. Each rotation starts with setting goals based on the competencies sought in a leader. These competencies are self-confidence, commitment, initiative, communications, problem solving, flexibility, systematic planning/organization, ethics, decisiveness, and team skills/orientation. An appraisal is performed at the end of each rotation to assess the participant's performance overall and to the goals that they set for the rotation.
Most rotations are based in Johnson City, New York. Rotations may also be possible in Fort Wayne, Indiana; Los Angeles, California; and other locations within the company.
OLDP - Typical Assignments
- Shop Operations
- Operations Program Management
- Group/Team Leader
- Production Coordinator/Facilitator
- Supervisor/Foreman Product Assurance
- Quality Assurance Engineering
- Test Engineering
- Supplier Quality
- Reliability Assurance
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Manufacturing Planning
- Producibility Engineering
- Maintenance/Plant Engineering Materials Management
- Production Control
- Capacity Planning
- Material Planning Environment, Safety and Health
- Employee Safety
- Chemical Process Analysis
- Hazardous Waste Reduction Procurement
- Sourcing/Purchasing
- Subcontracts
Along with rotations, members also are given opportunities to work on Process Improvement projects that relate to their rotations. Some of these projects may count towards receiving your Six Sigma Green Belt Certification.
Operations Development Curriculum
In the first year of the program there are a variety of classes and seminars that each participant is required to attend. The curriculum focuses on enhancing Leadership skills and obtaining a better understanding of Operations processes and techniques.
Courses include:
- Career Management
- Negotiation Skills
- Effective Presentation
- Six Sigma Concepts/Lean manufacturing
- Project Management
- Time Management
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Problem Solving
Leadership: Its Roles and Responsibilities
In the second and third years, development of leadership skills and career goals continues through training conferences and courses. Members also are encouraged, but not required, to pursue their master's degree at Binghamton University. While a participant of the program, all costs associated with the masters degree - classes, books and fees - are prepaid by the company.
Leadership Training
During the three years of the OLDP, members will attend three Leadership Training Conferences. These 3-5 day conferences consist of different modules, seminars, and guest speakers, as well as group activities. The topics covered vary from team dynamics to communication, career planning, conflict management, negotiation skills, and management.
Participants of the conferences include all members from the Operations, Engineering, and Finance programs, coming from multiple sites within Platform Solutions.
Contacts
Program Coordinator: Amy Smith
Recent and Current Program Members:
- Tim Smith (03) - Industrial Engineer
- Brian Seigrist (03) - Manufacturing Engineer
- Phil Barbee (03) - Industrial Engineer
- Kara Bassett (04) - Industrial Engineer
- Amy Knepp (04) - Industrial Engineer
- Paul Diedrich (05) - Industrial Engineer
- Sarah Dupuis (05) - Engineering and Management
- Nick Fusilli (06) - Industrial Engineer
- Kelly Nugent (06) - Engineering and Management
