Direct Connection Program Manager

Stellantis; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Well-being Coverage

Family Building Benefit

Paid Time Off

Retirement Savings Plans

Income Protection & Insurance Options

Company Vehicle Lease Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Student Loan Refinancing

Volunteer Hours

Job summary

Stellantis in Auburn Hills, MI seeks a Direct Connection Program Manager to lead a cross-functional team in developing a portfolio of high-visibility performance products. You will manage programs from engineering development through commercial launch, coordinating stakeholders across Engineering, Motorsports, Finance, Purchasing, and Supply Chain to ensure on-time, within-budget delivery.

The role emphasizes strategic thinking, strong leadership, and the ability to drive profitability by

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 8 years in an automotive OEM or supplier environment.
• Strong leadership and cross-functional management abilities.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Proficiency with MS-Office/G-Suite and program tracking methods.
• Ability to develop project plans and budgets with milestones.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional team to develop high-visibility performance products.
• Define and manage customer-focused parts programs to market, on time and within budget.
• Coordinate engineering development, validation, sourcing, and cost management.
• Support marketing, sales, and communications with technical information.
• Drive processes that enable fast market response and inventory planning.
• Build partnerships with Engineering, Finance, Purchasing, and Quality.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Program management

Budgeting & cost control

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Multi-tasking

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

MS Office

G-Suite

Program tracking tools

Job description

The Direct Connection Program Manager is responsible for leading a cross-functional team in the development of a comprehensive portfolio of high visibility performance products. The selected candidate will work with internal and external stakeholders to define and manage customer-focused parts programs to market, on-time and within budget. Responsibilities include but not limited to managing all aspects of programs from engineering development and validation, sourcing activities, budget, risk management, operations planning, and commercial launch. Candidate is also responsible for coordinating technical information to support marketing, sales and communications. Additionally, this role will execute value added, streamlined processes that enable fast market response resulting in profitability by sustaining product inventory levels to support market demand growth. This position will also establish/maintain productive relationships among all key internal stakeholders; Engineering, Motorsports race team(s), Finance, Purchasing, Supply Chain and Quality that achieves a common goal of product availability and support of performance product market strategies. The selected candidate will enter a fast-paced, energetic team and must be results driven with ability to demonstrate strategic mindset and creative thinking that results in net positive results.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in any Engineering discipline from an accredited institution
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in an automotive OEM or supplier environment
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills; ability to manage cross functional groups and suppliers
• Excellent presentation and communication skills
• Proficient in MS- Office/G-Suite tools, including database and program tracking/reporting methods
• Ability to develop project plans and budgets with associated milestones and timing
• Experience tracking business metrics and driving results to defined timeline and project costs
• Proven ability to build partnerships, oversee multiple projects and lead cross-functional organizations
• Identification and mitigation of commercial & technical risks
• Manage any financial activities associated with the project
• Self-motivated, and ability in multi-tasking to achieve multiple deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated program management experience
• Industry knowledge of high performance vehicles and racing products
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Knowledge of automotive product development, engineering performance and quality standards
• Knowledge of engineering, manufacturing or other core project related functions
• Experience taking programs to executive management for review/approval

Our Benefits — Designed With You In Mind

Comprehensive Health & Well-being Coverage

From your very first day, you’ll have access to medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage — ensuring you and your family stay healthy and protected. Also, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential support for personal and professional challenges, always ready when you need it.

Family Building Benefit

We proudly support all paths to parenthood- including fertility and infertility treatments, adoption services, and gestational surrogacy.

Generous Paid Time Off

We believe in work-life balance. That’s why we offer: 17+ paid holidays, including shut-down from December 24th through New Years Day every year. Vacation, float & wellbeing days, sick time and fully paid parental leave when your family needs you most.

Competitive Retirement Savings Plans

We Help You Plan For The Future With

• An employer match on contributions to your 401k, Roth, and Catch-Up plans
• An employer contribution, even if you don’t contribute

Income Protection & Insurance Options

Benefit from both employer-provided and voluntary plan offerings, including life insurance, group accident, critical illness, etc. - supporting the needs of you and your family and ensuring peace of mind.

Company Vehicle Lease Program

Eligible employees and their immediate families can participate in the company vehicle lease program, providing access to Stellantis vehicles with insurance, maintenance, and unlimited miles included. Plus, take advantage of exclusive discounts on Stellantis products.

Support for Your Growth and Giving Back

We believe in investing in your future and your passions:

• Tuition reimbursement
• Student loan refinancing programs
• 18 paid volunteer hours each year to make a difference in your community

And so much more!

When you join us, you’re not just building a career — you’re joining a company that supports you, inside and outside of work.

At Stellantis, we assess candidates based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We welcome applications from all people without regard to sex, age, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any characteristic protected by law. We believe that diverse teams reflect our identity as a global company, enabling us to better address the evolving needs of our customers and care for our future.

EOE / Disability / Veteran