Senior Program Manager (m/f/d)

Clarios; Hannover; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Pension plan

Flexible hours

Mobile work policy

Relocation support

Onboarding program

Job summary

Clarios in Hannover, Germany seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead complex cross‑functional programs from concept through launch. You will align the portfolio with business objectives, establish governance, and ensure value delivery within scope, schedule, cost and quality targets.

You will drive integration across engineering, operations, supply chain and commercial teams, manage budgets and timelines, and communicate decisions to stakeholders while maintaining program integrity and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 10 years of program or project management experience in a manufacturing, automotive or engineering environment.
• Proven experience with product‑development lifecycles such as APQP and launch; structured gate processes like Power D3.

Responsibilities

• Define, authorize and oversee complex programs and their constituent projects, ensuring portfolio supports goals.
• Lead cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, supply chain, quality and commercial functions to deliver scope, timing, budget and quality.
• Own integrated program planning, including WBS, schedules, budgets, resources, milestones and acceptance criteria.
• Drive structured decision‑making and trade‑off analysis; document decisions and communicate direction.
• Lead supplier‑acquisition activities and management of sourcing strategies and supply commitments.
• Identify, assess and mitigate program risks with system‑level analysis and timely escalation.
• Govern scope, change, configuration, information and measurement disciplines for control and traceability.
• Act as primary interface for customers and leadership, leading reviews, gate approvals and KPI reporting.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Program management

Product development lifecycles

Gate processes

Financial acumen

Stakeholder management

English fluency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

APQP

Power D3

Job description

Batteries are our Business. People are our Power.

At Clarios, we produce the world’s best batteries, essential for the evolving future of transportation. Our advanced low-voltage battery technologies and smart solutions power nearly every type of vehicle, and one in three vehicles worldwide is powered by a Clarios battery. We are home to strong brands such as VARTA® and OPTIMA®, and we share a common goal: creating cutting-edge technology sustainably. Ready to power up your career? Explore the possibilities with us and become a valued member of our team.

Your Contribution

As Senior Program Manager (m/f/d), you will lead complex, cross-functional programs that drive product development, customer delivery and operational excellence at Clarios. You will be accountable for end-to-end execution from concept through launch, aligning the program portfolio with business objectives and establishing the governance, decision-making and resource framework required to deliver expected value within scope, schedule, cost and quality targets.

Location

Hannover, Germany

What you will do

As Senior Program Manager (m/f/d), you will use your expertise in program governance, cross-functional leadership and product development to

• Define, authorize and oversee complex programs and their constituent projects, ensuring that the portfolio supports business goals and strategic priorities.
• Lead cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, supply chain, quality and commercial functions to deliver agreed scope, timing, budget and quality.
• Own integrated program planning, including work breakdown structures, schedules, budgets, resources, milestones and clear acceptance criteria.
• Drive structured decision‑making and trade‑off analysis; document decisions and rationale and communicate direction to relevant stakeholders.
• Lead acquisition and supplier‑agreement activities, managing sourcing strategies and supply commitments through monitoring and acceptance.
• Identify, assess and mitigate program risks, using system‑level analysis, performance measures and timely escalation to protect delivery.
• Govern scope, change, configuration, information and measurement disciplines to maintain control, traceability and compliance.
• Act as the primary interface for customers, internal stakeholders and senior leadership, leading program reviews, gate approvals, KPI reporting and continuous‑improvement actions.

What makes you a good fit

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business or a related field; an advanced degree is preferred.
• At least 10 years of program or project management experience in a manufacturing, automotive or engineering environment, including responsibility for large or strategic programs.
• Proven experience with product‑development lifecycles, such as APQP and launch, and structured gate processes such as Power D3.
• Demonstrated portfolio‑level judgment, including prioritizing investments and balancing competing program demands.
• Experience in supplier, acquisition and commercial‑agreement management; familiarity with Automotive SPICE and ISO 26262 is an advantage.
• Strong financial acumen covering budgeting, forecasting and business cases, supported by analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Confident senior‑level stakeholder management, influencing, communication and presentation skills, with the ability to lead in a cross‑functional and international environment.
• Fluent English; additional language skills relevant to the location or customer environment are an advantage.

What we offer you

Input matters just as much as output. As the world’s largest creator and manufacturer of low‑voltage battery technologies, we know that better than anyone. It all starts with our people. At Clarios, your passion, ingenuity and grit are celebrated. Our benefits philosophy reflects our commitment to caring for our employees and rewarding their dedication, expertise and contribution.

• Exciting professional tasks and challenges in a diverse international environment with strong commitment to integrity, values, social engagement and sustainability.
• Arrange your working hours and breaks flexible via our flexible and trust‑based working hours model and combine your professional and private life even better according to our mobile work policy and company kindergarten.
• A competitive remuneration package, including additional payments such as holiday, Christmas as well as company pension program.
• Your well-being is very important to us: Take advantage of our preventive health care offers such as fitness center, physiotherapist, modern office environment, healthy canteen, team and company events or hobby clubs.
• Stay fit whilst at the same time positively contributing to our environment: Lease your company bike.
• Our well-advanced onboarding process and buddy program supports you to quickly grow into the position and team. By using the offering in our Internal Learning Academy, LinkedIn Learning and EMEA Mentoring Program you will be able to further grow professionally and personally.
• Last, but not least we support you in relocating and finding a flat in location surrounding if applicable and depending on individual factors.

About Clarios

Clarios is the global leader in advanced, low-voltage battery technologies for mobility. Our batteries and smart solutions power nearly every type of vehicle and are found in 1 of 3 cars on the road today. With around 18,000 employees in over 100 countries, we bring deep expertise to our Aftermarket and OEM partners, and reliability, safety and comfort to everyday lives. We answer to the planet with a rigorous sustainability focus – advancing best‑in‑class sustainability practices and advocating for them across our industry. We work to ensure 100% of our products sold are recyclable, and we recycle 8,000 batteries an hour in our network. You can find more information here (PDF).

Equal Employment Opportunity

Clarios, LLC is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information, please view EEO is the Law, EEO is the Law (supplement), and Pay Transparency Non-discrimination. If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation during the application process, please email [e-mail].