Program Manager (Parts Manufacturing)

About the Role

The Program Manager is responsible for managing customer programs, new product introduction (NPI) activities, and sample coordination within a manufacturing environment. This role serves as the primary liaison between customers, engineering, operations, production, quality, and supply chain teams to ensure the successful execution of customer requirements, project timelines, and product launches. The ideal candidate will possess strong project management, communication, and operational coordination skills with the ability to drive programs from initial customer request through production readiness and launch.

Responsibilities

• Managing the life cycle of customer programs from initial request and concept phases through successful production launch and ongoing engineering support.
• Coordinating and tracking all New Product Introduction (NPI) activities across design, engineering, operations, production, quality, planning, and supply chain departments to guarantee perfect cross-functional alignment.
• Monitoring and updating complex project schedules, critical path milestones, project risks, and resource deliverables to ensure programs remain strictly on schedule.
• Driving comprehensive production readiness activities, including technical manufacturing documentation, process validation reviews, work instructions, and robust launch execution planning.
• Directing and managing the structured APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) process from initial phase-gates to final manufacturing handoff.
• Partnering directly with the Quality Department to compile, review, track, and deliver formal PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) packages and customer submissions to secure swift compliance approvals.
• Overseeing the logistical tracking of customer sample requests, custom prototype builds, manufacturing qualification runs, and technical engineering submissions.
• Serving as the definitive, primary point of contact for customer communications regarding program timelines, delivery commitments, engineering change notices (ECNs), and floor production status.
• Partnering closely with the Business Development and Applications Engineering teams to assess new opportunities, scope technical feasibility, and align commercial priorities with operational capabilities.
• Proactively coordinating customer timing expectations and technical requirements back to internal teams, ensuring customer timelines directly match company engineering and manufacturing capacities.
• Maintaining highly accurate program documentation, change management logs, status milestone tracking reports, and comprehensive historical customer records.
• Driving strategic, continuous improvement initiatives focused on shortening program execution cycles, tightening cross-team communication, and elevating launch performance.
• Collaborating hand-in-hand with manufacturing and quality teams to swiftly resolve floor production bottlenecks, process non-conformances, or customer-related field concerns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical field is preferred.
• 3–7 years of professional experience in program management, automotive launch management, engineering coordination, or manufacturing project management.
• Solid experience within an automotive (tier-1/tier-2), aerospace, industrial manufacturing, or high-volume precision production environment.
• Hands-on track record supporting multi-tiered New Product Introduction (NPI) cycles and complex product launch activities.
• Exceptional organizational, customer-facing communication, and fast-paced problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to successfully balance multiple complex projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, modern project tracking tools, and robust ERP/MRP manufacturing systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong, practical knowledge of automotive core tools, specifically APQP phase gating, FMEA, Control Plans, and compilation of PPAP levels.
• Demonstrated success working cross-functionally with customer account executives, sales/business development personnel, and applications engineering teams to negotiate priorities and scope lines.
• Strong working familiarity with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or similar regulated aerospace/industrial quality management systems.
• Highly detail-oriented with exceptional follow-through, internal accountability, and comfort adapting within fast-paced manufacturing dynamics.

Physical Requirements

• Able to move up to 50lbs.
• Can wear PPE.
• Comfortable standing for long periods of time, up to and exceeding 60 minutes.
• Can make repetitive movements including, but not limited to, sitting, squatting, and walking up and down stairs.
• Can withstand the manufacturing/furnace environment with exposure to heat, dust, and industrial equipment.

Benefits

• Competitive Base
• Medical/Dental/Vision insurance on day 1 of employment
• Health Saving Account (HSA) with Employer contribution
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) retirement plan and match program
• Short Term Disability (Employer Paid)
• Long Term Disability (Employer Paid)
• Paid Time Off (eligible after 90 days of employment)
• Sick Leave (eligible after 90 days of employment)
• Company Paid Holidays

Location: San Marcos, Texas

Reports to: VP of Production

About Noveon Magnetics

At Noveon Magnetics, we’re reimagining the rare earth magnet industry and changing the way we electrify the world. We’re a fast-growing, diverse team of scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators from across the globe united by a shared mission to support the commercialization of our magnet manufacturing technology and forge a new path toward resource efficiency, resource independence, and a low-carbon economy. As the only U.S. manufacturer of permanent rare earth magnets essential to a range of technologies that rely on an electric motor—from electric vehicles to medical devices to aerospace and defense systems to clean energy—we’re ushering in an electric future that is 100% Made in America. All our operations, from R&D through production, assembly, and delivery, are conducted out of our state-of-the-art manufacturing center in San Marcos, Texas.