Program Launch Manager

Htprof; Saint Joseph (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental and vision

401K

Bonus potential

Paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

H.T. Prof Executive Search is seeking a Program Launch Manager for a profitable St. Joseph, MI area automotive manufacturer.

You will lead cross-functional teams from concept to delivery, defining scopes, schedules, budgets, and resource plans while ensuring on-time, within-budget launches. The role requires APQP/PPAP documentation, risk mitigation, quality and regulatory compliance, and regular executive status reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 3–5 years in program management in manufacturing
• Background in manufacturing or process engineering
• Experience in fast-paced manufacturing environments; automotive suppliers preferred
• Project management experience, including overseeing timelines and budgets
• Experience communicating directly with customers
• Experience with launch documentation, such as APQP, PPAPs
• Proficient in Microsoft Office

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end project execution from concept through delivery
• Manage changes and APQP launches with documentation
• Lead cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, and commercial
• Mitigate program risks with data-driven contingency plans
• Ensure quality and regulatory compliance across engineering deliverables
• Provide regular status reports, track KPIs, and lead milestone reviews
• Other duties as directed by management

Skills

Project management

Customer communication

Cross-functional leadership

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

ERP systems

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:

Cutting-Edge Automotive Innovation:

Proven Internal Career Mobility:

Exceptional Total Rewards:

Mission-Driven, Tenured Culture:

Profitable, growing manufacturer is adding a Program Launch Managerto 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
• 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.

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

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