Program Manager II

Position Summary

The Program Manager II must manage complex programs from sales handover to program closure, ensuring complete satisfaction of assigned customers with RECARO Aircraft Seating products and services. The primary focus is on cost, quality, and schedule control, as well as maintaining RECARO's quality and design standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage complex programs from sales handover to program closure with complete responsibility over cost, timeline, scope, and quality of the product.
• Develop full-scale project plans in MS Project.
• Manage ZACSA, MS Tracking database updates, and negotiate due date changes with OEM and customers.
• Define project scope, goals, and deliverables that support overall program baseline in collaboration with project team, senior management, and stakeholders.
• Maintain program scope and assess the impact of scope changes.
• Communicate with customers and stakeholders.
• Manage Master Change Proposals, Program budget, and coordinate budget changes as necessary.
• Service bulletin coordination, program documentation, and program team meetings.
• Lead program task and team meetings, follow up on open items, and agree on delegation of tasks and responsibilities.
• Supervise all BFE activities, including the timely placement and receipt of BFE orders, required for CDR, test, and production seats.
• Ensure IFE test equipment is loaded with correct software level and is functioning properly to test the required system within contract specifications.
• Organize implementation of FAI open items and interface with OEM contacts.
• Provide regular program progress reports to ensure complete visibility of program at all times.
• Monitor OEM ratings and negotiate or correct as required.
• Report program difficulties to the program review board and implement the decisions from review board.
• Determine the frequency and content of status reports from the project team, analyze results, and troubleshoot problem areas.
• Adhere to Department processes and procedures.
• Participate in team and PMO meetings to support process upgrades or develop new processes/procedures.
• Prepare project audits and implement risk analysis using Recaro standards and tools.
• Conduct project post mortems and create a recommendations report in order to identify successful and unsuccessful project elements (as part of lessons learned practice).
• Obtain regular input from customers through customer surveys in accordance with department processes.
• Take on the role as a mentor for less experienced colleagues (Assistant Program Manager / Program Manager I).
• Provide training for Program Management Processes.
• Aid in customer meetings/preparations for customer meetings and prepare program presentations.
• Provide availability for question/answer sessions.

Education/Experience

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is required. A degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering is preferred with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a Program Management role. A Master’s degree is a plus.

Additional Skills

• Strong, proven customer relations skills are required.
• A high level understanding of engineering concepts and FAA certification procedures for commercial aircraft seats is needed.
• Must possess strong negotiation skills and the ability to positively influence customer decisions, while maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Proven track record of meeting commitments.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to exercise mature judgment are required.
• Ability to multi-task and operate in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Excellent organization skills are essential.
• Excellent internal and external communication and presentation skills are required.
• Ability to take initiative and work with minimum supervision.
• Multicultural background is a plus.

Travel Requirements

Employees are expected to travel up to 25% of the time, both nationally and internationally may be required.