Program Manager

About the role

A highly visible role within a high-performance organization, involving direct engagement with top management, OE customers, and suppliers. The Program Manager is fully responsible for overall project execution, communication, and success of key programs through collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure clearly defined timelines, deliverables, risk management, and success metrics.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with Sales, Engineering, Quality, Logistics, and Operations to satisfy internal and external customer expectations.
• Manages new program launches by identifying and coordinating resources, defining project scope, and overseeing timelines, deliverables, issues, risks, and success metrics.
• Strategizes and outlines program goals and objectives.
• Leads cross-functional project teams, solves problems, and chairs regular project meetings to track progress.
• Monitors project profitability and ensures expected targets are achieved.
• Develops and monitors project budgets, ensuring costs are planned, invoiced, and distributed appropriately.
• Maintains clear project plans with major milestones and critical paths identified.
• Tracks project progress against cost and timing objectives, proactively addressing potential variances.
• Ensures projects align with strategic business initiatives by gathering information from the project team.
• Completes accurate, high-quality project documentation, including schedules, status reports, and action plans.
• Manages and submits program reports for upper management and executive review.
• Presents program status and escalates issues to sponsors and steering committees.
• Coordinates engineering changes through internal and customer change management processes.
• Travels to customer, supplier, and international Bilstein facilities as necessary.
• Communicates with customers regarding Bilstein’s products, facilities, and capabilities.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or equivalent education and experience.
• In-depth knowledge of and experience in the automotive or heavy vehicle industry with a history of increasing responsibility.
• Substantial large-scale Project Management experience.
• In-depth knowledge of project management methodologies, tools, and techniques.
• Bias to action and proven ability to execute (hands-on mentality).
• Proven experience delivering effective presentations to executive management.
• Structured, organized, and detail-oriented with strong independent problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working in a changing operational environment.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proven experience collaborating with internal and external customers, senior leadership, and project managers.
• Sufficient technical acumen to participate in engineering discussions with internal and external parties.
• Willingness to travel to customer, supplier, and international Bilstein facilities.
• Highly developed written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build internal and customer relationships and rapport.
• Strong leadership skills, including sound reasoning and decision-making.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage time effectively with minimal supervision.
• Highly proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.

Benefits

• State-of-the-art OE manufacturing plant with a strong focus on safety and cleanliness.
• Multiple competitive health, dental, and vision coverage options.
• 401K matching program.
• Paid time off + 13 paid holidays.
• Paid volunteer hours.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Gym reimbursement.
• Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance.
• Internal growth opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Discounted BILSTEIN products.