Program Manager

About the Role

The Program Manager is responsible for organizing, coordinating, and executing a comprehensive program management regimen that meets customer expectations. This role provides program management for customer programs of smaller scope in terms of the number of customers, facilities, programs, or strategic importance. The Program Manager may be involved in winning business and quotation preparation, focusing on:

• Assertive oversight of product launches
• Vigilant cost containment, avoidance, and reduction throughout a product’s life cycle
• A comprehensive communications effort

The incumbent works at all levels of the organization to build a case for the program and gain commitment from department heads for necessary resource allocation. Leadership activities include strategic programs within the team environment involving planning, defining objectives, product and process design and development, validation, and initial production performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead customer-required APQP activities
• Lead internal teams through new program launches and current program uplifts
• Facilitate and lead customer meetings
• Support PTC SEG/PDT meetings
• Lead PRA actions with the entire launch team
• Manage all customer process changes and gain approval (SREAs, FRs)
• Challenge the supply base to properly validate change requests aligning with OEM expectations
• Perform capacity analysis (Ford CAR, Toyota Loading Capacity)
• Schedule all pre-SOP builds with the production team
• Manage trial/prototype builds, ensuring resource availability (people, material, machines, etc.)
• Attend program management and EOT meetings, providing input as necessary
• Write supplier tooling kickoff requisitions and pre-production PPAP part requests
• Drive accountability through regular follow-up, including PRA/APQP meetings
• Lead SLT weekly and monthly status update meetings
• Produce and maintain master Gantt charts
• Maintain and track program financials to AR
• Interface with the customer and facilitate customer visits to the plant
• Lead or participate in cost-reduction teams
• Support update activities of APQP documentation on customers’ systems
• Facilitate Seneca change management meetings as required
• Lead or participate in Program Gate Reviews and PKO (Program Kick-Off) meetings
• Lead or participate in Lessons Learned reviews
• Write Purchase Requisitions for trial build parts, supplier tooling, etc.
• Serve as program owner, accountable for execution and success, ensuring customer expectations for quality, timing, and product performance are met
• Develop and validate program scope and customer deliverables
• Identify and manage assigned resources (purchased material, engineering development, capital investment, launch costs, contract provisions) to minimize total program costs and maximize expected return
• Meet program deliverables (financial targets of appropriation request, cost, timing, completeness) as defined by the Executive Oversight Team (EOT)
• Lead efforts to ensure BW expectations of ROI and EV are met
• Assist the EOT in developing a program strategy and convert it into action
• Alert the EOT of program risks beyond the scope of the program team in a timely manner; continuously identify and mitigate risk factors
• Work with functional managers to assign cross-functional SEG product launch team members, including manufacturing management, production operators, maintenance, materials, finance, quality, safety, and HR
• Lead and manage the team environment through all program phases/gate points, emphasizing synergy, development, and empowerment for collaboration and team success
• Conduct frequent team meetings, including monthly functional meetings, joint BW/customer meetings, and EOT review meetings
• Maintain program charter, timing plan, and gate review matrices
• Help the team reach consensus and make decisions as required
• Know when to make decisions independently and when to seek guidance
• Evaluate and review team member performance, providing input to TMS
• Address and resolve program "roadblocks" through appropriate functional managers or leadership
• Keep the program team in place for 3 to 6 months post-launch to ensure objectives of delivery, quality, and cost are met
• Objectively evaluate performance with EOT input to determine if an extension is required after the 3-month post-launch window
• Serve as the primary contact for the customer and participate in or lead customer meetings, including APQP programs
• Develop customer relationships to contribute to future business awards
• Ensure internal and external documentation requirements are met

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or a related discipline
• 5+ years of experience in business, engineering, or manufacturing (automotive driveline or powertrain preferred)
• Product and process launch experience strongly preferred
• Demonstrated team leadership experience and training
• Effective, professional verbal and written communication skills to interface with all levels, including external customers and suppliers
• Proficiency in English and customer-specific language depending on program assignment(s)
• Proficient in computer skills for industry-standard word processing, spreadsheet, intranet, and PLM software

Skills

• Safety initiative
• Judgment and decision-making
• Teamwork and interpersonal skills
• Process management

Additional Information

• Occasional travel required, up to 5% of the time
• Safety and physical requirements include wearing PPE when appropriate and occasional lifting up to 35 lbs. shoulder-high

Pay

Salary Range: $107,600 - $147,950