Senior Program Manager

J.B. Poindexter & Co; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A diversified manufacturing company is seeking an Advanced Manufacturing Engineer – Program Lead to lead automation projects across its facilities. The ideal candidate will manage the project lifecycle, improve manufacturing processes, and work cross-functionally to drive safety and quality metrics. A strong background in project leadership and automation experience is required.

Qualifications

• Self-starter with strong project leadership experience.
• Ability to lead projects transforming manual environments to automation.
• Proven ability to drive measurable improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support manufacturing initiatives for process improvements.
• Manage concept-to-commissioning for automation systems.
• Collaborate with internal customers and external system integrators.

Skills

Project leadership

Automation experience

Communication skills

Manufacturing processes

Lean and Six Sigma principles

Education

BS in Mechanical, Industrial, or Electrical Engineering

Certifications in PE, Lean Six Sigma, PMP

Tools

Microsoft Office

3D CAD (SolidWorks preferred)

ERP systems (e.g. JD Edwards)

Job description

Overview

JB Poindexter & Co (JBPCO) is a privately held, diversified manufacturing company forecasting $3B in annual revenue and 10,000 team members in 2025. JBPCO provides best-in-class commercial automotive and industrial vehicles with nine operating subsidiaries across approximately 70 locations. The company produces commercial truck bodies, step-vans, utility trucks, ambulances, funeral coaches, limousines, electric and alternative fuel vehicles, pickup truck bed enclosures, and expandable foam plastic packaging. For more information about our brands and products visit JBPoindexter.com or connect on LinkedIn.

Advanced Manufacturing Engineer – Program Lead will be responsible for leading automation projects from concept to implementation across JBPCO’s manufacturing sites. The project lifecycle includes identifying automation opportunities, justifying, developing concepts, writing the scope of work, selecting the preferred vendor/integrator, design validation, ensuring the design and build follow JBPCO standards, and launching the solution at the plant. The Program Lead will execute multiple projects concurrently across facilities in North America, spanning activities such as welding chassis frames, laying fiberglass, machine tending, and general assembly.

Essential Job Functions

• Lead and support manufacturing initiatives aimed at process improvements through targeted implementation of automated processes that drive safety, quality, cost, and throughput metrics.
• Manage concept-to-commissioning for automation systems, collaborating with internal manufacturing customers and external system integrators.
• Help define improved business processes to support transformation and automation of JBPCO’s footprint.
• Work cross-functionally to gain buy-in and ensure successful project, strategy, and initiative implementation.
• Confer with planning and design staff on product design and tooling to enable efficient Lean production methods.
• Coordinate with management and engineering to facilitate production processes, production schedules, and related considerations.
• Collaborate on standardized work instructions, PFMEAs, and other control plans to ensure quality and consistency.
• Develop equipment specifications (RFQ) and negotiate purchases; evaluate equipment through design reviews and gated acceptance testing.
• Coordinate with Business Units on production times, staffing requirements, and related costs for stakeholder decisions.
• Adhere to Quality policy by exceeding customer expectations and supporting continuous improvement activities.
• Adhere to JBPCO and industry safety policies and standards (e.g., RIA, ANSI, ISO, IEEE, NFPA).
• Execute internal concept development workshops to define base project scope, process, automation options, man-machine charts, mockups, and cost estimates.
• Apply project management practices to control budget, schedule, resources, document control, and purchase orders.
• Maintain JBPCO documents, including solid models, drawings, procedures, and work instructions.
• Lead design reviews, build validation, FAT and SAT with suppliers to ensure JBPCO representation.
• Lead enterprise training to enable self-sufficiency in operating, maintaining, and modifying automation systems.
• Support risk assessment activities (Task-Based Risk Assessments) in accordance with A3 and JBPCO standards.
• Collaborate with maintenance on policies, procedures, and spare parts.
• Lead and train Business Units on automation safety standards, mechanical and electrical aspects.
• Coach and mentor junior engineers to build internal project management capabilities.
• Partner with site engineers, operations leaders, and corporate stakeholders to deploy best practices, standards, and advanced technologies.
• Conduct process capability analysis, time studies, and value stream mapping to identify and eliminate waste.
• Serve as a technical resource for NPIs, manufacturing cell designs, and layout optimization.
• Stay current with emerging manufacturing technologies (Industry 4.0, robotics, additive manufacturing) and assess fit within the organization.

Qualifications

• Self-starter with strong project leadership experience.
• Experience leading projects transforming traditional low-volume/high-mix manual manufacturing environments to automation.
• Proven ability to lead projects of varying sizes and drive measurable improvements in cost, quality, safety, or delivery metrics.
• Experience with different types of automation, vendors, and applications.
• Experience in high-volume and/or high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with personnel at all levels in a manufacturing setting.
• Understanding of manufacturing design elements, tools, systems, processes, and regulatory requirements.
• Understanding of design principles such as Data Analysis, DOE, FMEA, DFM/DFA.
• Strong automation/electrical/mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team.
• Passion for safety, workplace organization, and continuous improvement with a focus on Lean, Six Sigma, and Lean implementation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, Microsoft Project or Smartsheet, and ERP systems (e.g., JD Edwards).
• Optional: 3D CAD (SolidWorks preferred).
• Optional: Visual Basic Programming, Ladder Logic, or other programming knowledge.

Education

• BS in Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• Ten years or more of directly related experience in a manufacturing engineering or advanced manufacturing role, with at least five years in program/project leadership; multi-site or complex environments preferred.
• Preferred: Certifications in PE, Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or related credentials.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and passport.

JB Poindexter & Co., Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.