Program Launch Manager

MJ Recruiters, LLC; Saint Joseph (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401K

Paid holidays and vacation

Tuition reimbursement

Annual bonus potential

Relocation package

Job summary

MJ Recruiters, LLC is seeking a Program Launch Manager in the Saint Joseph, MI area to lead high-impact automotive product launches. You will drive end-to-end programs from concept to delivery, manage APQP launches, coordinate cross-functional teams, and ensure quality and compliance.

The role requires 3–5 years in program management, a manufacturing/process engineering background, and strong communication with customers. Local candidates preferred; relocation support available as needed.

Qualifications

• Ideally a Bachelor's degree; experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• At least 3–5 years in a similar program management role.
• 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, etc.
• Microsoft Office proficiency.

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 leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

APQP/PPAP knowledge

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP systems

APQP tools

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

launch engineer, program engineer, program manager, project engineer, manufacturing engineer, process engineer, APQP, product engineer, new model engineer, advanced manufacturing engineer, 8d, 5p, 5d, automotive, oem, ford, Honda, Toyota, injection molding, plastics, assembly, new program, new model, fmea, pfmea, apqp, quality systems, quality control, RCA, corrective actions, mechanical engineer, manufacturing technologies, industrial technologies