Program Manager

Actalent; Plymouth (MI); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

HSA

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent in Plymouth, MI is seeking a Program Manager for Automotive Plastics and Lighting. You will lead cross-functional teams, manage budgets, and coordinate program timing from initial sourcing through plant launch, with a strong customer interface and deep plastics/lighting expertise.

The role requires 3–5 years in automotive program management with Tier 1 suppliers, plus engineering credentials and MS Project proficiency.

Qualifications

• Experience as Program Manager in automotive Tier 1 with plant launches.
• Knowledge of plastics or lighting components for automotive interiors/exteriors.
• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• Experience managing project budgets and forecasts.
• Strong planning, resource allocation, and cross-functional coordination.
• Familiarity with purchasing processes and cost estimating methods.

Responsibilities

• Own assigned programs and drive cross-functional teams using internal processes.
• Outline program timing and monitor customer strategy activities for new business.
• Present weekly metrics related to program and customer strategies.
• Coordinate resources and manage program open issues and reports.
• Lead teams to meet program timing and strategy objectives.
• Provide data-driven guidance to leadership on strategy decisions.
• Maintain budgets and forecast financial performance for projects.
• Plan resource utilization balancing capacity, timing and budgets.
• Collaborate with customer representatives as primary interface.
• Develop customer relationships to support future opportunities.
• Support accurate program financial planning with cost estimating methods.
• Support cradle-to-grave automotive programs from concept to launch and stabilization.

Skills

Automotive PM

Plastics expertise

Exterior lighting

Budget management

Resource planning

Purchasing knowledge

Customer interface

GM experience

MS Project

Tier1 experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Job Title: Program Manager – Automotive Plastics / LightingJob Description

The Program Manager plans, coordinates, and oversees multiple related engineering and manufacturing projects to ensure they are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with organizational objectives. This role serves as a key liaison between cross-functional teams, leadership, and the customer, driving strategic initiatives from initial sourcing through plant launch and establishing strong customer relationships to support current and future business opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Own assigned programs and drive cross-functional teams using established internal business processes, including the PEP process, while ensuring full compliance with critical business protocols for program execution.

• Outline program timing and monitor all customer strategy activities, both internal and external, to support new business opportunities, including customer cost targets, key value drivers, technical targets and desires, and internal financial targets.

• Prepare, obtain, and present weekly metrics related to program and customer strategies to the cross-functional team, ensuring transparency and alignment on performance.

• Use company and customer timing plans, time and resource activity plans, program open issues lists, and meeting reports to coordinate and control the activities of all resources assigned to the program strategy.

• Lead cross-functional teams to achieve program deliverables according to defined program timing and both internal and external program strategies.

• Provide guidance to leadership on strategy-related decisions, offering data-driven insights and recommendations that support program and business objectives.

• Maintain and report on program budgets, including cost forecasting and financial performance for engineering projects, ensuring programs meet financial targets.

• Plan and report on resource utilization for engineering projects, balancing capacity, timing, and budget constraints to meet program milestones.

• Collaborate effectively with customer representatives, acting as a primary customer interface throughout the program lifecycle from initial sourcing through launch.

• Continuously develop and improve customer relationships to gain competitive advantage and support new and future business opportunities.

• Apply working knowledge of purchasing, accounting methods, and cost estimating to support accurate program financial planning and decision-making.

• Support full automotive programs from cradle to grave, ensuring successful execution through all phases, including concept, development, validation, launch, and post-launch stabilization.

Essential Skills

• 3–5 years of experience as a Program Manager working directly with automotive Tier 1 high-volume manufacturing suppliers, with responsibilities tied to manufacturing plant launches.

• Commodity expertise in automotive plastics or automotive lighting, specifically mid to large size plastic components for interior or exterior applications.

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.

• Proven experience maintaining program budgets, including cost forecasting and financial reporting for engineering projects.

• Demonstrated experience in resource planning and reporting for engineering projects.

• Working knowledge of purchasing processes, accounting methods, and cost estimating methodologies.

• Experience supporting at least one full automotive program from cradle to grave, from initial sourcing through launch.

• Program management experience within engineering, electrical, mechanical, and automotive industry environments.

• Experience with plastic injection molding and automotive plastics manufacturing.

• Ability to serve as a strong customer interface, communicating effectively with external stakeholders.

• Experience managing programs involving exterior lighting and automotive electronics.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with automotive exterior lighting programs.

• Exposure to or experience with automotive electronics.

• Program management certification (PM certified) is a plus.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Project or similar project management tools.

• Experience directly supporting General Motors as an end customer.

• Experience working with large Tier 1 suppliers supporting North American original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Work Environment

This role operates in a plant environment with dedicated office space. The Program Manager works closely with manufacturing operations and engineering teams on the production floor while also performing planning, reporting, and coordination activities in an office setting. The environment involves collaboration with cross-functional teams, use of program management tools and standard office software, and regular interaction with customer representatives and internal stakeholders to support high-volume automotive manufacturing and plant launches.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Plymouth, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $57.69/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Plymouth,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 29, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.