Program Manager

Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG; Auburn Hills, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Life insurance

401k with company match

Company vehicle

Employee events

Job summary

Schaeffler is a global technology company seeking a Program Manager I to manage projects with automotive and industrial customers. You will own customer relationships, lead cross-functional teams, and guide projects from quoting through serial production.

The role requires 5+ years in PM, strong communication, and travel up to 25%. We offer competitive benefits, a robust CAPCO/APQP framework, and opportunities for development within a private, global company.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in program or project management in manufacturing, automotive, or complex tech industries.
• Proven experience in a direct customer-facing role, with demonstrated success in negotiation and relationship building.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of project financials including budgeting, cost tracking, and profitability.
• Exceptional leadership with ability to lead through influence in a cross-functional, matrixed environment.
• Expert-level communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with enterprise project management software (MS Project, Jira, Planisware).
• Proven track record of leading projects from quoting to serial production.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the US.

Responsibilities

• Manage one or more projects with internal and external customers.
• Own the strategic customer relationship and main point of contact for all program matters.
• Lead technical reviews with the customer and present information or delegate to SMEs.
• Ensure delivery of projects including milestones, gateways, and resources.
• Monitor TCQ, derive corrective actions for deviations or claims.
• Lead project team functionally and coordinate external providers and stakeholders.
• Pursue and secure new business by shaping responses to RFIs and RFQs.
• Own CAPCO processes, audits, and customer APQP activities.
• Develop and manage the project budget and track costs for financial discipline.
• Oversee end-to-end change management for product and project mods.
• Manage high/medium risk prototype deviations and lead escalation meetings.
• Be the central communication hub for all technical and timing communications with the customer.

Job description

Schaeffler is a dynamic global technology company and its success has been a result of its entrepreneurial spirit and long history of private ownership. As a partner to all of the major automobile manufacturers, as well as key players in the aerospace and industrial sectors, we offer you many development opportunities.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Program Manager I manages one or more projects with internal as well as external customers.
• Cultivate and own the strategic relationship with the customer, acting as their primary advocate and the main point of contact for all program matters.
• Lead technical reviews with the customer, with the authority to present information directly or delegate to subject matter experts.
• Ensure delivery of the projects assigned including all relevant steps, milestones, gateways and resources.
• Monitor project progress in terms of time, costs, quality (TCQ) and derive measures in case of deviations or claims.
• Lead the project team members functionally and coordinate all involved external service providers, resources or stakeholders.
• Actively pursue and secure new business by leading the creation of compelling responses to RFIs and RFQs.
• Own and enforce adherence to the CAPCO process and all relevant corporate/customer standards. You are the owner of all program audits (S) and customer APQP activities (S).
• Develop and manage the project budget (PIT), while supporting the detailed tracking of product, project, and prototype costs to ensure financial discipline (S).
• Oversee the end-to-end change management process for both product and project modifications, ensuring rigorous impact analysis and clear stakeholder communication.
• Manage and provide final approval for all high or medium-risk prototype deviations. Initiate and lead internal escalation meetings (Red Light/Yellow Light) to proactively address and mitigate risks.
• Central Point of Communication: Serve as the single source of truth for all technical and timing-related communications with the customer.

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in program or project management, specifically within a manufacturing, automotive, or complex technology industry.
• Proven experience in a direct customer-facing role, with demonstrated success in
• negotiation, relationship building, and managing complex accounts.
• Strong business acumen and a deep understanding of project financials, including budget management, cost tracking, and profitability analysis.
• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to lead through influence in a cross-functional, matrixed environment.
• Expert-level communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with enterprise project management software (e.g., MS Project, Jira, Planisware).
• A proven track record of successfully leading projects from the new business quoting phase through to serial production.
• Must be willing to travel up to 25%.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the US.
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance and 401k eligible with up to 6% company match
• Company Vehicle
• Regular employee appreciation and company events

As a global company with employees around the world, it is important to us that we treat each other with respect and value all ideas and perspectives. By appreciating our differences, we inspire creativity and drive innovation. In this way, we contribute to sustainable value creation for our stakeholders and society as a whole. Together, we advance how the world moves.

Exciting assignments and outstanding development opportunities await you because we impact the future with innovation. We look forward to your application.

Schaeffler is an equal employment opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive equal employment opportunities and consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Keywords:Project Management, PMO & Agile Roles;Project Management, PMO & Agile Roles