Supply Chain Associate Jobs in Pittsburgh, PA

Why This Role Exists

Catalyst Connection manages programs that help manufacturers adopt advanced technologies, strengthen supply chains, improve operational performance, and remain competitive. These initiatives bring together funding organizations, manufacturers, technical experts, and industry partners, requiring effective coordination, financial oversight, and accountability.

We’re looking for someone who can take ownership of assigned programs, manage their successful execution, and ensure we deliver on our commitments and achieve meaningful results.

Who You Are

We believe three qualities are especially important for success in this role. If these sound like you, we’d love to hear your stories.

You Bring Order to Complexity

• You enjoy bringing people, resources, and ideas together to accomplish something meaningful. You’re comfortable managing competing priorities, coordinating different stakeholders, and adjusting plans when circumstances change. Where others might see too many moving parts, you see an opportunity to make things work better. You find satisfaction in creating clarity, building momentum, and helping everyone move toward a common goal.

You Look Beyond the Obvious

• You’re naturally curious about why things work the way they do. You ask thoughtful questions, examine information carefully, and look for the underlying causes of problems rather than settling for quick answers. You enjoy connecting technical information with practical business realities and using evidence to identify opportunities that can make a measurable difference.

You Take Ownership of Results

• You take pride in following through on your commitments and delivering results. You hold yourself to high standards, anticipate challenges, and take initiative when something needs attention. You understand that accountability goes beyond completing assigned tasks. It means taking responsibility for outcomes, communicating openly, and earning the confidence of the people who depend on you.

Who We Are

We’re a nonprofit organization and part of the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) network, dedicated to helping small and medium-sized manufacturers throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania become more competitive, productive, and resilient. We work directly with manufacturers to understand their challenges, connect them with the right resources, and help them make meaningful improvements.

The Opportunity

As our Program Manager, Manufacturing & Supply Chain Initiatives, you’ll manage the day-to-day execution of assigned programs within our Supply Chain Initiatives department.

Your work may involve manufacturing assessments, advanced technology adoption, supplier development, supply chain research, technical assistance programs, mini-grants, training, and industry engagement. You’ll coordinate the people, resources, and activities necessary to ensure these initiatives meet their objectives.

You’ll be responsible for managing program schedules, deliverables, budgets, documentation, reporting, and closeout within approved scopes and procedures. You’ll work closely with manufacturers, funding organizations, technical specialists, and internal colleagues, drawing on specialized expertise when needed.

This is a role for someone who enjoys managing complex initiatives, building productive relationships, solving problems, and ensuring that important work gets done.

What You’ll Do

• Manage Assigned Programs – Manage assigned programs from launch through completion, including workplans, schedules, milestones, deliverables, budget monitoring, performance measurement, reporting, and closeout. You’ll keep programs organized, anticipate challenges, and identify issues requiring additional guidance or action.
• Coordinate Partners and Resources – Serve as a primary point of coordination for manufacturers, funding organizations, technical experts, vendors, training providers, and internal teams. You’ll facilitate meetings, establish expectations, track commitments, and maintain effective communication among everyone involved.
• Support Manufacturing and Technology Initiatives – Work directly with manufacturers to understand operational challenges, assess needs, and identify opportunities for improvement. You’ll conduct or support manufacturing assessments within your technical experience and coordinate specialized assistance involving automation, robotics, smart manufacturing, artificial intelligence, manufacturing software, cybersecurity readiness, and other technologies.
• Strengthen Supply Chains and Industry Connections – Support supplier capability assessments, supply chain research, supplier readiness initiatives, and industry engagement activities. You’ll help coordinate supplier forums, matchmaking opportunities, demonstrations, training, and other activities that connect manufacturers with resources and opportunities.
• Manage Program Documentation, Budgets, and Reporting – Monitor program expenditures, maintain accurate documentation, track performance against established requirements, and prepare timely reports. You’ll coordinate with Finance and grant administration staff to ensure assigned activities, financial records, and outcomes align with approved agreements and procedures.
• Coordinate Funding and Technical Assistance Programs – Support assigned mini-grants and technical or capital assistance initiatives, including application follow-up, project tracking, documentation, reimbursement coordination, and closeout. You’ll help manufacturers navigate established processes while ensuring eligibility questions and approval decisions are directed to the appropriate individuals.
• Keep Programs Moving Forward – Develop and maintain project plans, monitor progress, identify risks, and address obstacles before they affect program performance. You’ll balance competing priorities, coordinate corrective actions, and follow up with contributors to ensure commitments are met.
• Measure Results and Demonstrate Impact – Track program participation, completed activities, deliverables, and manufacturer outcomes. You’ll work with technical resources and internal colleagues to collect and validate information, evaluate program effectiveness, and communicate the value delivered.
• Use Technology to Work Smarter – Apply project management tools, data analysis, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to improve planning, research, communication, reporting, and overall program effectiveness while following organizational data protection requirements.

What You Bring

We’re interested in the experience you’ve gained, the problems you’ve solved, and the results you’ve achieved—not simply the titles you’ve held.

Your Background

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering technology, manufacturing, business, or a related field. An engineering degree is preferred.
• Relevant experience in manufacturing operations, manufacturing engineering, technology implementation, supplier development, or technical assistance to manufacturers.
• Demonstrated experience managing project schedules, deliverables, contributor coordination, and documentation, including completing work against an approved scope.
• Practical knowledge of manufacturing processes, equipment, workflows, and operating challenges sufficient to communicate effectively with manufacturers and technical specialists.

Your Capabilities

• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple activities and competing priorities.
• Financial and analytical skills, including budget monitoring, performance measurement, and accurate reporting, or the ability to develop these capabilities through training.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to facilitate meetings, develop reports, and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Sound judgment, initiative, and the ability to anticipate problems, recognize when additional expertise is needed, and follow through.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to work with Salesforce, shared document systems, and project management technologies.
• Curiosity about advanced manufacturing technologies and their practical business applications.

Experience That Would Be Especially Valuable

• Managing federal, state, or other grant-funded programs, including compliance, financial tracking, reporting, and closeout.
• Working with manufacturing organizations, supplier development initiatives, industry partnerships, or economic development programs.
• Supporting manufacturing technology adoption, operational assessments, or technical assistance projects.
• Coordinating external consultants, technical service providers, or multi-organization projects.
• Experience with mini-grant administration, supplier research, or industry engagement activities.

We recognize that strong candidates develop their capabilities through different experiences. If your background aligns with this opportunity, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every preferred qualification.

What Success Looks Like

During your first year, we’ll look for progress in three important areas.

• Programs Deliver on Their Commitments – Your assigned programs are well organized, financially responsible, compliant with funding requirements, and meeting established milestones and deliverables.
• Partners Have Confidence in Your Coordination – Manufacturers, funding organizations, technical providers, and internal colleagues know what to expect, receive timely communication, and trust you to coordinate efforts, follow through on commitments, and identify challenges requiring attention.
• Results Are Measured and Communicated – Program activities, expenditures, outcomes, and manufacturer impact are accurately documented and reported. You’ve also identified opportunities to strengthen program effectiveness and delivery.

What You Can Expect

You’ll work in a collaborative environment where your judgment, initiative, and ability to bring people together matter. Your responsibilities will combine program planning, financial oversight, stakeholder coordination, reporting, and visits to manufacturing facilities and partner organizations throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania.

You’ll have the opportunity to work across a variety of manufacturing and supply chain initiatives, build relationships with industry and community partners, and contribute to programs that strengthen regional manufacturing.

You’ll also receive designated Program Manager onboarding and development in grant management and project management practices.

Reliable transportation is required for travel throughout our 12-county Southwestern Pennsylvania service region. Employees who may have direct contact with minors through our programs must obtain and maintain applicable child protection clearances.

Interested? We’d Love to Hear Your Story.

A resume tells us where you’ve worked. We’re equally interested in understanding how you think, what motivates you, and the difference you’ve made.

If you recognize yourself in the three qualities we’ve described—bringing order to complexity, looking beyond the obvious, and taking ownership of results—we encourage you to explore this opportunity.

We’d welcome the chance to learn about your experiences, the challenges you’ve overcome, and what you’d like to accomplish next.

Pay: $110,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person