Program Launch Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus potential

Medical, dental and vision benefits

401K

Job summary

Sun Recruiting, Inc. is seeking a Program Launch Manager for the St. Joseph, MI area to lead high-impact product launches in a fast-growing automotive supplier environment.

You will own end-to-end programs from concept through delivery, manage APQP/PPAP documentation, coordinate cross-functional teams, and drive on-time, within-budget launches while maintaining quality and regulatory compliance. Competitive compensation, bonus potential, and comprehensive benefits accompany this role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 3–5 years in program management.
• Background in manufacturing or process engineering.
• Experience in fast-paced automotive environment.
• PM experience with timelines and budgets.
• Experience communicating with customers.
• Experience with launch documentation (APQP, PPAP, etc.).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• 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

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Customer communication

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

APQP

PPAPs

ERP experience

MS Office

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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