Program Operations & Contract Management Leader

MELISSA D. SANDERS

San Antonio, TX United States 210-***-**** *************@*****.***

Summary

Strategic Business Operations and Program Management professional with 10+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, and government contracting environments. Proven expertise in managing large-scale capital projects, contract administration, and cross-functional program execution. Adept at driving operational efficiency through LEAN methodologies, mitigating risk, and delivering high-impact results for complex, high- visibility programs. Recognized for strong stakeholder engagement, executive communication, and process optimization.

Key Achievements

Successfully managed and executed $7M+ in capital projects across aerospace manufacturing environments.

Reconciled and mitigated risk for $56.4M in government contract funds, ensuring full compliance and financial accuracy.

Led large-scale work transfer programs for critical aerospace components, maintaining zero disruption to production timelines.

Improved cross-functional communication frameworks, increasing operational efficiency and stakeholder alignment across multiple business units.

Directed and mentored teams of up to 25+ professionals, driving productivity, accountability, and performance improvements.

Implemented LEAN-driven process improvements that enhanced workflow efficiency and reduced operational redundancies.

Skills

Program Execution

Contract Administration

Financial Analysis

Risk Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Process Improvement

Lean Methodology

Supplier Management

Data Analysis

Performance Tracking

Compliance Management

Cost Control

Schedule Coordination

Executive Reporting

Change Management

Workflow Optimization

Project Management

Cross Functional

Team Leadership

Strategic Planning

Operations Management

Experience

Business Operations & Project Management Roles 09/2011 to 01/2025 The Boeing Company Multiple Locations

Led cross-functional teams supporting flagship aerospace programs including 787 Dreamliner and 777X, ensuring alignment with production timelines and quality standards.

Spearheaded work transfer initiatives for key programs (787 Horizontal Stabilizer, 777X Folding Wing Tip), minimizing transition risks and ensuring production continuity.

Directed the execution of $7M+ in capital projects and managed over 210 service requests, improving operational efficiency across multiple manufacturing business units.

Managed acquisition and deployment of 5 critical capital assets and coordinated facility readiness for 16 assets, facilitating seamless integration into operations.

Developed and implemented standardized work processes that improved communication, enhanced transparency, and fostered collaboration across Fabrication and Manufacturing units. Contracts Administrator 12/2022 to 01/2024

SearchPros (Supporting Boeing) United States

Administered contract reconciliation processes, successfully managing $56.4M in unliquidated funds and mitigating financial and compliance risks.

Partnered with DCMA and internal leadership to ensure regulatory compliance, streamlining workflows and enhancing audit readiness.

Strengthened supplier engagement strategies, accelerating contract closeouts and enhancing operational efficiency across multiple defense programs.

Conducted performance analysis and reporting, enabling informed leadership decision-making and supporting continuous process improvement initiatives.

Designed and implemented SharePoint-based tracking systems, enhancing reporting accuracy and visibility for stakeholders.

Group Lead 01/2023 to 07/2023

Belcan Engineering (Supporting Blue Origin) United States

Led and coordinated a team of 25+ analysts, optimizing resource allocation and improving team productivity across multiple projects.

Supervised cross-site engineering support teams for BE-4 engine production, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to quality standards.

Implemented process improvements that enhanced collaboration and streamlined engineering workflows.

Facilitated stakeholder meetings and developed communication frameworks to align engineering and operations with leadership objectives.

Collaborated with suppliers to ensure material readiness, reducing production delays and improving supply chain coordination.

Contract Specialist 01/2008 to 01/2011

NASA Johnson Space Center United States

Administered multiple contract types in compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), minimizing risk and ensuring audit readiness.

Supported RFQ and RFP processes, including evaluation, negotiation, and contract award, which streamlined procurement cycle.

Developed and enhanced procurement tracking tools, increasing visibility and accuracy for contract management activities.

Built and maintained strong supplier relationships, enhancing service delivery and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.

Provided customer-focused contract support, which enhanced operational performance and increased stakeholder satisfaction.

Education and Training

MBA: Business Administration

Seattle University Seattle, United States

Bachelor of Arts: Communication And Graphics

University of North Texas United States

Languages

English: Native

Native

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