Program Manager (Automotive Industry)

Talent Sketchers; Bhopal; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Talent Sketchers in India (Bhopal) seeks a Program Manager for the Research and Development department in the automotive sector. This role reports to the CEO and interfaces with customers throughout the product development lifecycle, from RFQ through SOP and post‑launch stabilization.

The successful candidate will have 7–8 years of project function experience in automotive/component development, with a mechanical engineering background and knowledge of internal combustion engines being desirable.

Qualifications

• Organizational and program management skills essential for leading long‑lifecycle automotive programs.
• Experience in coordinating cross‑functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers preferred.
• Knowledge of APQP or equivalent stages in product development is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead complete program execution from RFQ to SOP and post‑launch stabilization.
• Develop and maintain the Master Project Plan with milestones and deliverables.
• Ensure project execution aligns with Quality, Cost and Delivery objectives and KPIs.
• Conduct regular project reviews with management and escalate risks proactively.
• Manage engineering changes (ECN/ECR) throughout the product life cycle.
• Serve as the single point of contact between customer and organization during development.
• Provide APQP leadership and coordinate cross functional team efforts.
• Oversee manufacturing readiness, cost management and supplier development.
• Report to CEO with dotted line to head of Global Program Management; oversee 5–7 people.

Skills

Organizational leadership

Product engineering knowledge

Education

Mechanical Engineer

Job description

Experience

7+ Years

Location

Bhopal (WFO)

About Company

France-based Manufacturing Industry - B2B

They are Manufacturers of:

• Mechanical Thermostat
• Thermal Management for Engines & Heavy-Duty
• Aerospace Valves, etc.

Job Description

Job: Program Manager

Department: Research and Development

Sector/Product: Automotive Comp

Skills

Organization of industrial enterprises.

Prior experience in product engineering would be add on.

Level of education and experience required

Mechanical engineer (knowledge of internal combustion engines desirable).

Successful experience, 7-8 years minimum in the project function of automotive/auto component development.

Commitment: To ensure one's safety and that of others, taking the necessary measures to avoid any risk of accident.

The Program Manager acts as the single point of contact between the customer and the organization throughout the product development lifecycle.

Responsibilities

1. Program Management

• Lead complete program execution from RFQ to SOP and post-launch stabilization.
• Develop and maintain the Master Project Plan.
• Define project milestones and deliverables.
• Ensure project execution meets Quality, Cost and Delivery (QCD) objectives.
• Conduct regular project reviews with management.
• Monitor project KPIs and elevate risks proactively.
• Manage engineering changes (ECN/ECR) throughout product life cycle.

2. Customer Interface

3. APQP Leadership

4. Cross Functional Team (CFT) Leadership

5. Risk Management

6. Product Development

7. Manufacturing Readiness

8. Cost Management

9. Supplier Development

Reporting to: CEO with dotted line reporting to head of Global Program management

Directly supervises: Indirectly supervises: functionally 5 to 7 people