Automotive Program Manager - Launch Lead

Autokiniton; Michigan; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision benefits

401(k) with company match

14 paid holidays

Job summary

Autokiniton, located in New Boston, MI, is seeking a seasoned Program Manager to drive automotive launch programs from award through production. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, manage budgets and timelines, and ensure ALP compliance to deliver on customer expectations.

Join AUTOKINITON's Corporate Program Management team and contribute to continuous improvement while actively communicating with customers and internal stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in automotive manufacturing, including stamping, metal forming, assemblies, tooling, or manufacturing processes.
• Minimum three years of program management, project management or launch management in an automotive manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting or leading new product launches from award through production.
• Experience working with OEM customers and cross-functional teams preferred.
• Strong understanding of program budgeting, cost management, and financial tracking.
• Comprehensive knowledge of automotive build and launch processes, with the ability to develop, implement, and maintain standardized procedures.
• Travel to manufacturing facilities during key project and launch phases to support timely communication, coordinate activities, and facilitate the prompt resolution of issues.
• Understanding of GD&T, product design, and manufacturing principles.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proven ability to lead cross functional teams and build effective working relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Customer-focused mindset with strong issue resolution and conflict management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.
• Effective electronic communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage program requirements, deliverables, and timelines to ensure successful execution of assigned programs and achievement of customer and business objectives.
• Monitor program milestones and proactively communicate timing risks, issues, and recovery plans to internal stakeholders and customers.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for customers regarding program status, deliverables, and issue resolution.
• Support the successful launch of new business by ensuring compliance with the AUTOKINITON Launch Process (ALP), customer requirements, and program timing expectations.
• Coordinate the resolution of open program issues, ensuring timely responses, containment actions, and follow-up activities.
• Facilitate ALP Gate Reviews and provide program updates to leadership teams.
• Identify and support cost-saving opportunities throughout the program lifecycle while maintaining quality and timing objectives.
• Lead regular program review meetings to track timing, engineering changes, bill of material (BOM) development, and critical-path activities.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Purchasing, and Commercial teams to ensure program requirements are understood and executed effectively.
• Monitor program financial performance, including budget adherence, tooling expenditures, and customer milestone achievement.
• Utilize ALP, Campfire, and other program management systems to maintain accurate program documentation and status reporting.
• Support continuous improvement efforts by documenting and sharing lessons learned to improve future program execution.
• Coordinate engineering change activities to ensure customer requirements are communicated, implemented on schedule, and managed within budget.
• Track and drive completion of APQP deliverables, PPAP submissions, and tooling payment milestones to support successful program launches.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to ensure effective communication and program execution.
• Support departmental and organizational initiatives that promote operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

APQP/PPAP knowledge

GD&T knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Autokiniton, located in New Boston, MI, is seeking a seasoned Program Manager to drive automotive launch programs from award through production. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, manage budgets and timelines, and ensure ALP compliance to deliver on customer expectations.

Join AUTOKINITON's Corporate Program Management team and contribute to continuous improvement while actively communicating with customers and internal stakeholders.