Program Manager

HSM (Hickory Springs Manufacturing) Company; Hickory (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness

401(k) with company match

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Job summary

HSM in Hickory, NC is seeking a Program Coordinator to bring structure and visibility to complex manufacturing programs across multiple facilities. You will partner with plant and corporate leadership, track milestones, manage risks, and support gate reviews, PPAP timing, and launch readiness. This role offers growth across increasingly complex programs.

This position emphasizes disciplined follow-up, dashboards, and clear documentation to keep projects on track and ready for launch.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field; equivalent manufacturing or program coordination experience will also be considered.
• 3-6+ years of experience in manufacturing, project coordination, program support, or a similar role.
• Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing operations or coordinating programs across multiple production facilities.
• Exposure to seating, transportation, automotive, commercial vehicle, or similar manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, VDA 6.3, PPAP, production readiness, validation, or launch processes.
• Experience with tools such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Power BI, or similar project management/reporting platforms.
• Ability to manage schedules, track deliverables, maintain documentation, and translate technical or operational requirements into actionable tasks.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to partner effectively with plant, functional, and leadership teams.

Responsibilities

• Coordinating program execution across multiple manufacturing facilities to support launch readiness and consistent implementation.
• Serving as a liaison between corporate program leadership, plant leadership, and cross-functional teams.
• Tracking milestones, plant-level deliverables, risks, resource needs, and readiness activities.
• Supporting Gate reviews and Work Package completion through clear documentation and disciplined follow-up.
• Maintaining dashboards and reporting tools that highlight program status, risks, milestones, and launch readiness.
• Helping align program timelines with plant capacity, staffing, equipment, tooling, and operational readiness.
• Supporting manufacturing readiness across processes such as tube fabrication, welding, foam fabrication, upholstery, sewing, assembly, finishing, and final inspection.
• Partnering with Quality and Operations to support production readiness reviews, PPAP timing, validation activities, audit readiness, and customer launch requirements.
• Driving accountability and helping teams resolve issues before they impact launch success.

Skills

Project coordination

Manufacturing

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Equivalent manufacturing/program coordination experience

Tools

Microsoft Project

Smartsheet

Power BI

Job description

Hickory Metal Plant
Hickory, NC 28602, USA

Founded in 1944, HSM is athird generation, privately held company with a rich history of innovation and a commitment to our people. With 25 locations across the U.S. and corporate headquarters in Hickory, NC and Huntersville, NC, we specialize in manufacturing components for furniture, bedding, transportation, packaging, automotive, and healthcare industries. Our expertise also includes designing and building automated production machinery. HSM products from sofa springs to swimming pool noodles and bus seats, touch everyday life in countless ways.

At HSM, our success is built on our people. We foster a culture of teamwork, innovation, and shared success. If you’re looking for a meaningful place to grow and make an impact, we want to hear from you!

What You Will Do

You will help bring structure, visibility, and follow-through to complex manufacturing programs by:

• Coordinating program execution across multiple manufacturing facilities to support launch readiness and consistent implementation.


• Serving as a liaison between corporate program leadership, plant leadership, and cross-functional teams.


• Tracking milestones, plant-level deliverables, risks, resource needs, and readiness activities.


• Supporting Gate reviews and Work Package completion through clear documentation and disciplined follow-up.


• Maintaining dashboards and reporting tools that highlight program status, risks, milestones, and launch readiness.


• Helping align program timelines with plant capacity, staffing, equipment, tooling, and operational readiness.


• Supporting manufacturing readiness across processes such as tube fabrication, welding, foam fabrication, upholstery, sewing, assembly, finishing, and final inspection.


• Partnering with Quality and Operations to support production readiness reviews, PPAP timing, validation activities, audit readiness, and customer launch requirements.


• Driving accountability and helping teams resolve issues before they impact launch success.

What Success Looks Like

In this role, success means programs are organized, visible, and moving forward. You will help ensure Gates are completed on time, risks are clearly communicated, teams understand ownership, and manufacturing readiness aligns with launch expectations. Over time, this position offers the opportunity to take on increasingly complex programs and make a measurable impact across the organization.

What You Bring

The ideal candidate is organized, proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You do not need to have direct authority to influence results — you know how to build relationships, create clarity, and keep teams moving toward shared goals.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field; equivalent manufacturing or program coordination experience will also be considered.


• 3-6+ years of experience in manufacturing, project coordination, program support, or a similar role.


• Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing operations or coordinating programs across multiple production facilities.


• Exposure to seating, transportation, automotive, commercial vehicle, or similar manufacturing environments.


• Familiarity with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, VDA 6.3, PPAP, production readiness, validation, or launch processes.


• Experience with tools such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Power BI, or similar project management/reporting platforms.


• Ability to manage schedules, track deliverables, maintain documentation, and translate technical or operational requirements into actionable tasks.


• Strong communication skills and the ability to partner effectively with plant, functional, and leadership teams.

Why Join Us

• Health & Wellness: Affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, including an innovative global healthcare option for qualified participants.


• Retire:401(k) with company match, fully vested from day one.


• Paid Time Off: Competitive PTO: 3 Weeks of Vacation + 9 company paid holidays.


• On-Site Medical Clinics: Free for you and covered dependents.


• Teladoc: 24/7 access with no copay.


• Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement, professional development assistance and career growth opportunities.


• Discounts: Enjoy discounts with HSM partners, including Dollywood Parks & Resort, Verizon Wireless, and more.

EEOC

At HSM, we believe that our diversity creates a productive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectionate or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.