Program Manager - RECARO Automotive North America : Job Details

Overview: The Program Manager is accountable for the achievement of project targets and objectives (quality, profitability, timing and risks), validated by the steering committee at project start. They lead projects in accordance with internal rules and principles to manage the core team. Responsible for defining profitability and cost targets by building the entire project plan, statement of work, including timeline and financials. Role is responsible for driving future product development at a global level. The target candidate must be knowledgeable about seat engineering and the seating industry with ability to analyze, benchmark, and negotiate using these inputs in order to optimize the financials. Ensures internal and external customer satisfaction. Flexible to accommodate global meetings coordinating between Michigan, Germany, China, and Japan. Proven experience working on global teams driving program direction and execution. Capable of utilizing and learning multiple software programs. Must be able to engage co-workers while being flexible in assisting their needs in a timely manner. A successful candidate is a self-starter who is capable of multi-tasking.As a RECARO Automotive team member you are an intelligent, tech-savvy professional with a passion for helping drive the future of RECARO Automotive. Come be part of a defining team that will help RECARO Automotive thrive and help you realize a great, prosperous future.Key Responsibilities:

• Builds the entire project plan: Statement of Work including Timeline and Financials.
• Responsible for working with finance, engineering, and purchasing to create and maintain costed BOM and track its evolutions: actuals and estimate-at-completion vs. revised budget and initial budget, while incorporating the approved changes.
• Gathers the inputs from the functions with help from other members to analyze, benchmark, challenge, and negotiate these inputs to optimize the financials for Quote Event.
• Develops teamwork on a collaborative mode and works in synergy with all project team members to achieve project objectives.
• Manages development, tooling and other expenses so that project remains within budget objectives.
• Approves all expenditures and investments pertaining to the project: e.g. approvals of all Purchase requisitions, Tool Launch Authorizations, and other requisitions that make use of the Accounting Jobs belonging to that project.
• Interfaces with the customer on all project issues, ensures good communication and information flow between both project teams.
• Oversees seamless launch in a holistic manner, i.e. making sure all marketability-related aspects were managed by the team: instructions manual and driving timing to the marketing team to support external market launches.
• Proposes and encourages cost savings (product, process) to achieve target costs and to meet profitability.
• Tracks change in a flawless and diligent manner through the Scope Changes, Budget Deviation, and the Change Tracking List. Including submitting for approvals as per approval route globally.
• Identifies project risks and implements action plans.
• Keeps team output on track by confirming details and creating follow-up frameworks to address specific progress issues.
• Facilitates and leads the project team through regular core team meetings (weekly) where the Issues List is tracked.
• Prepares and presents project status to Gate Reviews, monthly Program Reviews, and in other project reviews as requested by Management.
• For each build event, issues a Build Event Summary & Schedule form that summarizes needs and action plan for that specific build. Including, lead and follow-up of the procurement strategy with the team.
• Ensures management of the project during development until its closure for productivity with effect on product/process.

Key Interfaces:

• Sales
• Finance Team
• Engineering
• Purchasing
• Manufacturing & Operations
• Global & Regional Executive Teams

Requirements & Qualification:

• Bachelor's in project management, program management, product development, engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of program management experience that includes product, execution, and go to market strategy.
• Showcase 5+ years delivering on time and within budget program launches from concept to in production.
• 3+ years working in an agile team environment.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification or equivalent experience to be tested.
• Proven leadership skills in managing cross-functional teams to meet established targets.
• Demonstrated track record of strong teamwork
• Ability to clearly communicate with all levels within the organization.
• Ability to communicate, develop relationships with others while influencing and removing blockers.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Understanding of seating design, engineering, manufacturing, and best practices.
• Highly quantitative. Enjoy analyzing data. Experience setting metrics and iterating based on data.
• Proficient in MS-Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project), Project Tracking Systems (Monday.com), and ERP systems (PLEX).
• Exhibits knowledge in developing business cases, costed BOMs, and managing program financials with a focus on optimizing profit.

Work Hours, Office, & Travel:

• Required to work a minimum of 3 days per week, totaling 24hours, in the office. In addition, at least one of the required days in the office must include either a Monday or a Friday.
• Core working hours 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on-site or online.
• Ability to attend or lead online global meetings outside of core hours.
• Travel up to 20% globally.