Senior Program Manager

About the role

Working at Freudenberg: "We will wow your world!" This is our promise. As a global technology group, we not only make the world cleaner, healthier and more comfortable, but also offer our 52,000 employees a networked and diverse environment where everyone can thrive individually. Be surprised and experience your own wow moments. We at Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies run the business operations of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) in the Americas. Being part of the global Freudenberg Group, our company is a leading producer of advanced sealing technologies for automotive and general industries. Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies is a joint venture between Freudenberg and NOK Corp. in Japan, is headquartered in Plymouth, MI, operates more than 20 facilities and employs about 4,700 people across the Americas. The Senior Program Manager is responsible for the planning, governance, and monitoring of a program to ensure successful delivery. This position strategically directs all interconnected internal and external stakeholders and their sub-projects simultaneously for new business launch developments and change management. Position located in Cleveland, GA (on-site).

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and guidance to cross-functional teams for engineering projects related to new business development and design/material change management.
• Manage multiple complex programs through all phases of the Product Life Cycle, applying APQP and other relevant methodologies to ensure timely and successful launches.
• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules, milestones, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with business objectives and customer expectations.
• Serve as the primary interface to the customer, supported by internal teams, to deliver updates, track progress, and ensure satisfaction.
• Coordinate with Product Engineering, Quality, and Metrology teams during prototype kick-off to define measurement techniques and product layout.
• Collect and vet prototype and production documentation from internal and external suppliers, ensuring compliance through Quality review.
• Lead costing activities and pricing strategies for key projects, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and cost targets.
• Conduct investment and profitability analysis for new projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify and manage risks, including deviations from quotes, contracts, or project agreements, and implement mitigation plans.
• Track and report project status weekly and monthly, escalating issues when necessary to maintain timelines and budgets.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activity, and customer needs to inform strategic planning and margin