Program Launch Manager

Rare Bird Recruiting; Saint Joseph (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus potential

401K

Medical, dental and vision benefits

Paid holidays and vacation

Tuition reimbursement

Life insurance

Job summary

Rare Bird Recruiting, LLC is seeking a Program Launch Manager in the St. Joseph, MI area to lead high-visibility automotive launches and accelerate career growth within a fast-growing supplier.

The role reports to the Engineering Manager and emphasizes end-to-end program delivery, APQP/PPAP documentation, and cross-functional leadership. The candidate will spend significant time on the plant floor, drive schedules and budgets, and ensure quality and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years in a program management role
• Background in manufacturing or process engineering beneficial
• Experience with launch documentation such as APQP, PPAPs, etc.
• Experience communicating directly with customers
• Proficient in Microsoft Office

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end project execution from concept through delivery with defined scopes, milestones, budgets and resources.
• Oversee design and manufacturing process updates using APQP standards and document control throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing and commercial groups to align requirements and priorities.
• Identify risks to timelines or quality and implement data-driven contingency plans to keep critical milestones on track.
• Ensure compliance with automotive quality and regulatory standards across all deliverables.
• Provide regular status updates, KPI tracking and milestone reviews to senior leadership and customers; drive process improvements to launch workflows.

Skills

Project management

Customer communication

APQP

PPAPs

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Program Launch Manager

St. Joseph, MI area

Competitive Salary, Bonus, 401K, and More!

Lead high-impact launches and accelerate your career with an automotive powerhouse that's built for rapid growth and long-term stability.

• High-Impact Leadership in an Expanding Operation: Step into a newly created role born directly out of company growth, taking ownership of high-visibility program launches backed by secured new business for next year and beyond.
• Cutting-Edge Automotive Innovation: Drive complex, fast-paced launches utilizing state-of-the-art technology at a consistently profitable, industry-leading automotive supplier.
• Proven Internal Career Mobility: Join an organization genuinely committed to promoting from within, working directly under a General Manager who built a 20-year career path inside the business.
• Exceptional Total Rewards: Benefit from competitive compensation paired with annual bonus potential and a robust benefits package, including multiple comprehensive medical, dental, and vision options.
• Mission-Driven, Tenured Culture: Collaborate with a deeply dedicated, stable workforce that balances the stability of long-term automotive partnerships with the agility of a high-growth environment.

Profitable, growing manufacturer is adding a Program Launch Manager to lead join their team of engineering professionals focused on successfully launching new products. Daily you will report to the Engineering Manager. Responsibilities will include:

• Drive End-to-End Project Execution: Lead engineering programs from concept through delivery by defining project scopes, milestone schedules, budgets, and resource allocation to ensure on-time, within-budget launches.
• Manage Changes & APQP Launches: Oversee design and manufacturing process updates, utilizing APQP standards to guide program launch activities and technical documentation throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead Cross-Functional Teams: Direct and hold project team members accountable, collaborating across engineering, manufacturing, and commercial teams to define requirements, remove roadblocks, and execute priorities.
• Mitigate Program Risks: Proactively identify potential design, supply, or timeline bottlenecks and establish data-driven contingency plans to keep critical-path deliverables on schedule.
• Ensure Quality & Compliance: Champion quality assurance standards across all engineering deliverables to guarantee full compliance with automotive and regulatory requirements.
• Executive Communication & Process Optimization: Provide regular status reports, track KPIs, and lead milestone reviews for senior leadership and customers while driving continuous improvements to streamline internal launch workflows.
• Other duties as directed by management

The qualified candidate will enjoy spending up to 40% of their day on the manufacturing floor, able to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing automotive environment, thrive on driving continuous improvement, be thorough and detail-oriented and able to successfully execute plans and projects. The ability to handle multiple projects at a time is critical.

The company offers EXCELLENT medical benefits (including dental and vision) available after 90 days, short-term and long-term disability, 401K, paid holidays and vacation, tuition reimbursement, life, and BONUS potential.

REQUIREMENTS for the Program Launch Manager:

• 1. Ideally a Bachelor's degree; experience will be considered in lieu of a degree
• 2. At least 3-5 years in a similar program management role
• 3. A background in manufacturing or process engineering
• 4. Experience working in fast-paced manufacturing environments; automotive suppliers are preferred
• 5. Project management experience, including overseeing timelines and budgets
• 6. Experience communicating directly with customers
• 7. Experience with launch documentation, such as APQP, PPAPs, etc.
• 8. Microsoft Office

Skills preferred but NOT required:

• 1. Automated environments
• 2. Lean/Six Sigma methodologies
• 3. Capital equipment project management
• 4. ERP experience
• 5. Machining or GD&T experience

Reasons to work for this organization:

• Multiple plans for medical, dental and vision
• Stable organization in the automotive industry and adding new business
• Annual bonus potential
• New position due to growth
• Cutting edge technology
• Work for a General Manager who has grown with the company and been there almost 20 years
• This company promotes their internal talent

Candidates are preferred to be local to the St. Joseph, MI area. There is a conservative relocation package for regional candidates meeting the requirements.

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