SR Program Manager

Cascade Engineering is a Family of Companies that invests in our triple bottom line philosophy - People, Planet and Profit. We have been in business for over 50 years in Grand Rapids, Michigan, manufacturing injection molding and plastic products for automotive, office furniture, polymer compounding, waste, and recycling industries. We focus on driving organizational excellence through a people-centered leadership culture based on the principles of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

About the Role

Join us as a Senior Program Manager, where you'll be the driving force behind bringing innovative products to life. You will lead cross-functional teams from concept through production launch, owning program success by balancing quality, cost, timing, and customer expectations while building strong partnerships with both customers and internal teams. This high-impact leadership role involves solving complex challenges, managing risks, driving accountability, and ensuring successful launches that deliver outstanding results.

Beyond managing programs, you'll help shape our culture by embracing servant leadership, building high-trust relationships, and living the principles of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, including being proactive, putting first things first, seeking win-win solutions, and continuously improving.

Location: West Plant at 5055 36th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512.

Responsibilities

• Ensures the launch team adheres to all safety procedures and guidelines.
• Oversees the management of all programs and assumes responsibility for customer deliverables.
• Develops, teaches, and monitors common program management disciplines and ensures consistent use of these disciplines in all programs.
• Acts as gatekeeper for understanding customer expectations; collaborates with account management to push back respectfully when requests are out of scope.
• Owns the program and mobilizes both internal and external resources to meet program requirements.
• Initiates and maintains project folders and APLS workbooks.
• Leads and coordinates launch team meetings and updates the open issues matrix.
• Owns the APQP process and is responsible for the completion of checklist items.
• Develops business cases for additional short-term expenses that benefit the long-term safety, quality, and efficiency of the program.
• Tracks and controls all projects in real time, ensuring all chargeable costs are assigned to the customer.
• Leads activities to meet quality and delivery goals for successful start of production as defined by the customer statement of work.
• Leads program reviews that provide appropriate status updates for cost, timing, and risk management.
• Obtains management approval prior to making decisions that will impact established program, cost, and schedule objectives.
• Clearly and effectively communicates program status to leadership and other stakeholders, including timing, financial status, business and technical risks, issues and actions, and need for support.
• Develops and implements corrective action plans when deviations from budgets and/or schedules are evident.
• Coordinates and facilitates gate reviews from gate 1 through gate 5; with Plant Manager, ensures plant and program readiness for launch.
• Assures a timely closeout of complete programs to ensure all obligations are satisfied and program documentation is properly recorded.
• Performs additional responsibilities as requested to achieve business objectives.

Culture and Leadership

• Understands and supports the values of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL).
• Exhibits high moral and ethical standards and integrity.
• Values people regardless of their background.
• Exhibits the traits of a servant leader.
• Demonstrates the principles of 7 Habits and Emotional Intelligence.
• Encourages open dialogue and communication.
• Develops high-trust relationships within all levels of the organization.
• Pursues excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Business, Manufacturing, Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in program management or product development function.
• Demonstrated superior decision-making and leadership abilities in managing multiple programs to meet goals (quality, cost, and delivery).
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to lead a team and communicate effectively (written and verbal).
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated accountability and drive for results, with the ability to work with minimal supervision and push self/others for results.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification.
• Knowledge and application of agile project management processes.
• MBA or Master's Degree in an Engineering-related field.
• 10+ years of experience in a product development function.
• Ability to function independently in a customer setting.

Pay

The target starting base salary for this position is $100,000.00 - $136,000.00 per year, plus a quarterly bonus and sales incentive. Salary is determined based on factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (effective starting day 1).
• Life Insurance (company-paid and supplemental).
• 401K with company match (effective starting day 1).
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts.
• Quarterly Bonus Program.
• Paid Time Off.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Short- and Long-Term Disability (company-paid).
• Onsite Medical Clinic.

Perks

• Weekly Pay.
• Childcare Assistance (Tri-Share).
• Flexible Hours & Scheduling.
• Attendance Recognition Program.
• Voucher programs for Safety Shoes and Prescription Safety Glasses.
• Employee Discount Programs.
• Employee Referral & Retention Bonus Program.
• Adoption Assistance.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Free Uniforms / T-shirts.
• Employee Resource Groups.
• Smoking Cessation Products and Programs.