Part Lifecycle Manager

Kem Krest; Elkhart (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Bonus Program

Free On-site Clinics & Prescriptions

401K Match

Tuition Reimbursement

Generous PTO & Holiday

Job summary

A supply chain solutions provider in Elkhart, Indiana, is looking for a Manager to lead cross-functional teams focused on part lifecycle management, customer service, and dealership services. The role requires over 5 years of relevant experience, strong leadership skills, and a customer-centric approach. Key responsibilities include driving operational excellence, monitoring KPIs, and enhancing customer satisfaction. The company offers a competitive salary, annual bonus program, and generous PTO.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in account management, customer service, or product lifecycle roles.
• 2+ years of experience managing teams, with demonstrated success in people leadership.
• Strong understanding of customer-centric approaches and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop cross-functional teams focused on part lifecycle management.
• Drive operational excellence and enhance customer experience.
• Monitor KPIs to evaluate process efficiency and success.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Problem-solving

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, or related field

Job description

At Kem Krest, we are more than a supply chain solutions provider, we are a trusted partner to some of the world’s leading automotive, heavy-duty, and powersports OEMs. As a certified minority-owned business, we deliver customized services in packaging, logistics, and compliance with a focus on innovation, quality, and customer success.

The Manager will lead and develop a cross-functional team comprising Part Lifecycle Managers (PLMs), the Customer Service Team, and the Dealership Services Team. This role includes direct oversight of two Supervisors, one leading Customer Service and the other leading Dealership Services, and will take close direction from the Director of Account Management. The Manager is responsible for driving operational excellence, enhancing customer experience, and aligning team performance with strategic business goals. As a key people leader, the Manager will ensure consistent execution of Kem Krest’s career framework expectations for people managers, while also contributing functional expertise in part lifecycle management, customer service, and dealership operations.

Responsibilities

• Part Lifecycle Management: Execute part cost updates, terminations, deviations, and rework processes.
• Launch Coordination: Build part numbers, folders, and launch plans using Monday.com. Manage the full part launch process.
• Process Execution: Support APQP activities and ensure compliance with quality and customer requirements.
• Performance Monitoring: Track KPIs and dashboards to evaluate launch success and process efficiency.
• Customer Focus: Understand customer needs, develop VOC documentation, and support satisfaction initiatives.
• Financial Awareness: Build financial acumen to understand how your work impacts business performance.
• Problem Solving: Participate in root cause analysis and troubleshooting to improve outcomes.
• Compliance & Standards: Follow all procedures per the Quality Management System and applicable regulations.

Functional Oversight

• Lead a team of four Product Lifecycle Managers (PLMs) and two Supervisors overseeing the Customer Service and Dealership Services teams.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and performance management to direct reports, ensuring alignment with Kem Krest’s career framework for people managers.
• Facilitate regular one-on-one and team meetings to support development, engagement, and accountability.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement across all functional areas.
• Works with teams to identify and implement process improvement across functional areas by analyzing performance data, gathering team feedback, and driving change initiatives that quality and enhance operational efficiency.

Part Lifecycle Management (PLMs):

• Oversee execution of part lifecycle activities including new part launches, revisions, terminations, and APQP deliverables.
• Ensure standardization of tools, templates, and weekly processes to drive consistency and efficiency.
• Monitor and manage lead-time metrics for setting up and launching new parts and revisions, ensuring timely execution and alignment with customer expectations. Serve as a the main point of internal escalation when lead-time is not being met.
• Support PLMs in cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Supply Chain, Compliance, Finance, and other internal partners.

Customer Service

• Provide direction and support to the Customer Service Supervisor, ensuring alignment with team goals and organizational standards.
• Drive initiatives to reduce manual work by identifying automation opportunities and implementing tools or workflows that streamline repetitive tasks.
• Lead efforts to further standardize and simplify customer service processes, with a focus on improving turnaround time, reducing errors, and enhancing scalability.
• Champion a culture of efficiency by regularly reviewing workload distribution, identifying bottlenecks, and reallocating resources to maintain balance and prevent burnout.
• Establish proactive monitoring systems to identify customer issues before they escalate, using data trends and feedback loops to inform service improvements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless communication and resolution of customer concerns, while continuously refining service-level expectations and KPIs.

Dealership Services

• Provide direction and support to the Customer Service Supervisor, ensuring alignment with team goals and organizational standards.
• Identify opportunities to enhance dealer relationships through proactive support, program optimization, and personalized outreach.
• Leverage internal and external data to uncover trends, performance gaps, and growth opportunities across the dealer network.
• Collaborate closely with the Marketing team to develop and execute campaigns that promote dealer programs, drive engagement, and support business growth objectives.
• Ensure alignment with OEM expectations and internal standards while continuously improving dealer satisfaction and program effectiveness.

Additional Responsibilities

• Partner with internal stakeholders to align functional priorities with broader account management strategies.
• Support change management efforts and ensure successful rollout of new processes or systems.
• Maintain close alignment with the Director of Account Management to ensure priorities and expectations are clearly understood and executed.
• Develop and deliver clear communication plans for team updates, performance metrics, and team initiatives.
• Monitor dashboards and KPIs to assess team performance, identify trends, and recommend corrective actions.
• Represent the team in leadership forums, providing updates on progress, challenges, and opportunities.

Your Contributions

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in account management, customer service, or product lifecycle roles.
• 2+ years of experience managing teams, with demonstrated success in people leadership.
• Strong understanding of Kem Krest’s value proposition and customer-centric approach.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.

Why Kem Krest?

• Annual Bonus Program
• Free On-site Clinics & Prescriptions
• 401K Match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Generous PTO & Holiday

Equal Opportunity Employer - This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.