Customer Program Associate

Company Overview
Virtium is a trusted leader in the design and manufacturing of high-reliability industrial modular hardware solutions that enable embedded computing system manufacturers to accelerate time to market while reducing development risk. Our portfolio includes AI Systems-on-Module (SOMs), industrial SSDs, industrial DDR memory, and wireless connectivity solutions serving networking, telecommunications, aerospace & defense, industrial OEMs, and embedded computing customers worldwide. With more than 25 years of innovation, quality, and long-term product support, Virtium is a preferred partner for mission-critical Edge AI and embedded computing solutions.
Role Overview
Launch Your Career at Virtium
Looking for more than just your first job? At Virtium, we're developing the next generation of Customer Program Managers—professionals who build trusted customer relationships, lead cross-functional business initiatives, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

As a Customer Program Associate, you'll become one of the primary day-to-day contacts for assigned customer accounts. You'll communicate directly with customer buyers, planners, sourcing managers, and program managers while partnering internally with Sales, Engineering, Planning, Manufacturing, Procurement, Quality, and Operations.

This is not simply an internal coordination role. It's a career-launch opportunity that provides meaningful customer ownership, business exposure, mentoring, and a clear pathway into Customer Program Management, Supply Chain, Commercial Operations, or Account Management.
Why Join Virtium?
•    Work directly with global customers from the beginning of your career.
•    Receive mentoring from experienced Customer Program Managers and Sales leaders.
•    Gain hands-on experience across Sales, Supply Chain, Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, Planning, and Quality.
•    Learn forecasting, logistics, quoting, ERP/CRM systems, and commercial operations.
•    Build transferable leadership, communication, and relationship-management skills.
•    Develop a long-term career path with opportunities for advancement.
What You'll Learn
•    Customer relationship management and professional business communication
•    Customer program management and cross-functional leadership
•    Supply chain planning, forecasting, and logistics coordination
•    Commercial operations, quoting, pricing, and order management
•    ERP and CRM business systems
•    Problem-solving, negotiation, and customer presentations
•    How technology products move from planning through manufacturing and delivery

Role Summary:
The Customer Program Associate is an entry-level, temporary-to-hire opportunity designed for a recent graduate who wants to build a career in customer program management, supply chain, operations, and commercial business. You'll communicate directly with customers, coordinate cross-functional activities, support quotations, forecasts, shipments, and product transitions, and help deliver an exceptional customer experience.
•    40% Customer Program & Customer Relationship Management
•    25% Commercial Operations, Quotes & Data Management
•    25% Supply Chain, Logistics & Customer Fulfillment
•    10% Process Improvement, Reporting & Cross-Functional Support
Role Responsibilities
Customer Program & Customer Relationship Management
•    Serve as a day-to-day contact for assigned customer accounts.
•    Build strong relationships with customer buyers, planners, sourcing managers, logistics contacts, and program managers.
•    Communicate directly with customers regarding forecasts, deliveries, lead times, engineering changes, and product transitions.
•    Coordinate customer action items across Sales, Planning, Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Quality.
•    Represent Virtium with professionalism, urgency, and a customer-first mindset.
Quote, Pricing & Commercial Operations
•    Prepare quotations and maintain pricing documentation.
•    Maintain accurate customer, product, pricing, ERP, and CRM records.
•    Analyze customer buying trends, forecasts, and order history.
Supply Chain, Logistics & Shipment Coordination
•    Coordinate forecasts, inventory, shipments, backlog, and delivery commitments.
•    Partner with cross-functional teams to resolve customer issues.
•    Communicate supply updates and recovery plans.
Process Improvement & Team Support
•    Support reporting and continuous improvement initiatives.
•    Recommend ideas that improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Required Qualifications
•    Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Operations, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, MIS, Business Analytics, or related discipline.
•    Recent graduate or early-career professional.
•    Excellent verbal and written communication skills with confidence interacting directly with customers.
•    Strong organizational, analytical, and relationship-building skills.
•    Microsoft Excel proficiency and willingness to learn ERP and CRM systems.
•    Customer-focused mindset with ownership and accountability.
Preferred Qualifications
•    Customer-facing internship, sales support, account coordination, planning, logistics, manufacturing, or operations experience.
•    Participation in athletics, team sports, student leadership, business clubs, entrepreneurship, ROTC, or other competitive experiences demonstrating teamwork, resilience, and discipline.
•    Exposure to manufacturing, electronics, or technology industries.
Preferred Skills and Traits
Ownership & Accountability
•    Takes initiative and follows through.
•    Thrives in a fast-paced environment.
•    Balances customer advocacy with business priorities.
Customer-Centric Communication
•    Builds trust and lasting business relationships.
•    Comfortable presenting and communicating with customers and executives.
•    Professional, responsive, and service-oriented.
Competitive Drive
•    Motivated to achieve results and continuously improve.
•    Competitive experiences such as athletics are valued because they often build teamwork, resilience, and discipline; equivalent experiences are equally welcomed.
Collaboration & Learning Agility
•    Works effectively across departments.
•    Curious, coachable, and eager to grow into future leadership roles.
Compensation, Schedule & Location
•    Reports to: Director of Materials Planning and Supply Execution
•    Employment Type: Full-time temporary-to-hire with opportunity for full-time conversion.
•    Compensation: Hourly $25-$35 based on experience and qualifications.
•    Schedule: Monday through Friday.
•    Location: Rancho Santa Margarita, California (onsite).
•    Travel: Approximately 10–20% for customer visits, business meetings, trade shows, training, and professional development.
•    No relocation assistance or visa sponsorship.