Manufacturing IT Launch Program Manager

General Motors; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors in Buffalo, NY is seeking a Manufacturing Launch Program Manager to ensure the successful deployment of IT systems for new product launches. This role includes heavy travel and serves as the lead for manufacturing IT.

Successful candidates will have significant experience in manufacturing, strong leadership skills, and a proven ability to deliver results on time. Competitive education and knowledge of industry standards will be an advantage.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience as a program manager in manufacturing or automotive.
• Experience in leading technical deliverables in a plant-floor environment.
• Knowledge of plant floor systems and network integration.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute launch projects ensuring milestones are met.
• Lead meetings to ensure task completion and resolve dependencies.
• Coordinate training readiness and validate SAT results.

Skills

Program management

Plant floor systems

Network deployment

Cybersecurity implementation

Strong communication

Collaboration

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Jira

Job description

The Role

The Manufacturing Launch Program Manager owns the successful deployment of all IT systems required to launch a new product. This person serves as the single point of accountability for launch execution across applications, infrastructure, controls, and cybersecurity technologies.

This role requires strong expertise in plant floor systems, network integration, manufacturing operations, material and quality systems, and tooling and manufacturing processes across Vehicle, Global Propulsion Systems (battery, engine, transmission), and/or Stamping. The Manufacturing Launch Program Manager is expected to travel up to 75% to manufacturing sites.

The Manufacturing Launch Program Manager acts as the Manufacturing IT lead for launch execution and serves as the primary point of contact for the Product Execution Team, Master Dot meetings, and plant launch business teams. This leader owns launch scope, Manufacturing IT deliverables, resource alignment, stakeholder communication, and end-to-end execution to ensure business objectives are achieved. These individual carries overall launch responsibility for GM IT.

What You’ll Do

• Own and execute launch projects in alignment with the IGLP (IT Global Launch Process), ensuring milestones are delivered on time and within budget
• Build and apply deep expertise in network deployment and cybersecurity technology implementation to drive successful launch execution
• Own all key launch milestones and dependencies by identifying, tracking, and actively managing risks to delivery
• Lead schedule progression meetings with Deployment Leads, the Controls Integration Lead, Infrastructure Group Manager, System Integration Lead, IT Site team, and launch team to drive task completion, timing alignment, and dependency resolution
• Deliver clear, timely, and accurate launch status updates to site and launch teams, including escalation of critical issues when needed
• Partner with the IT Site Leader to keep the site aligned on launch activities, risks, resource needs, and key decisions
• Own launch IT resource coordination, including contractor support, to ensure program deliverables are met
• Lead and contribute to weekly launch status meetings to maintain momentum and accountability across teams
• Coordinate and participate in systems infrastructure and controls workshops to drive alignment and readiness
• Own updates to the IT Summary and communicate progress, risks, and status to Plant Business Leads and Plant Management as required
• Drive training readiness by coordinating the curriculum matrix, participant preparedness, and training schedule
• Validate SAT results and ensure all SAT and UAT activities are completed, retested when necessary, and aligned to launch readiness requirements
• Determine Site IT Lead training needs and ensure all required training is completed on time
• Lead transition-to-operations activities using the T2O (Transition to Operations) checklist to ensure a seamless handoff
• Provide onsite launch support during acceleration to resolve issues quickly and maintain execution continuity
• Own launch close-down activities and ensure a smooth, effective transition to operations
• Execute the communication plan to maintain strong coordination across deployment teams, programs, projects, and partner organizations
• Provide input for EMR (Executive Management Review) as needed to support leadership visibility and decision-making
• Serve as the single point of contact for all IT-related communication with the plant launch team
• Ensure all IT workshops are completed in alignment with the Integrated Launch Schedule
• Lead project monitoring and control activities in accordance with IGLP to ensure milestones, deliverables, and quality expectations are achieved
• Own issue, risk, and change management activities, including proactive identification, communication, mitigation, and escalation
• Apply sound judgment in planning, prioritization, and problem solving, and secure additional support when needed to protect delivery
• Partner effectively with technical teams and centers of excellence to align launch execution with enterprise standards and best practices
• Identify and recommend process and technical improvements that simplify launch execution and improve business productivity
• Support onboarding and knowledge transfer for newer team members to strengthen team capability and consistency
• Represent Manufacturing IT in Plant Leadership and Manufacturing Engineering launch reviews by presenting clear status updates, addressing questions in real time, and operating with professionalism in a high-visibility environment

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• 4+ years of relevant full-time experience as a program manager within manufacturing, automotive, plant floor environment or similar
• Experience leading and coordinating complex technical deliverables in a manufacturing or plant-floor environment
• Knowledge of plant floor systems, infrastructure, controls integration, network deployment, and cybersecurity implementation
• Knowledge and experience using Jira
• Manufacturing-related education, experience, or demonstrated interest in manufacturing
• Strong initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to execute with a moderate level of autonomy
• Strong communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills
• Results-driven mindset with the ability to investigate problems, develop solutions, and drive issues through to completion
• Ability to travel to plants up to 75%

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a closely related technical field, or equivalent work experience
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Experience mentoring or onboarding team members
• Experience identifying and implementing process improvements in launch execution

People Skills

• Self-motivated and results-driven
• Strong communicator and collaborative partner across technical and business teams
• Confidence and courage to communicate risks, issues, and delivery status accurately
• Ability to recognize when support is needed and engage the right people quickly