Program Manager

Burke Porter, an Ascential Technologies Brand; Shelby Township (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Burke Porter, an Ascential Technologies Brand, is seeking an experienced project manager to lead custom automation projects in Shelby Township, Michigan. This role involves managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, requiring extensive experience in automotive manufacturing and industrial automation. Key responsibilities include developing project plans, coordinating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring compliance with standards.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field, along with over five years of relevant project management experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of project management experience in automotive manufacturing, industrial automation, or machine tool environments.
• Experience managing custom machinery, assembly systems, or test equipment programs strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project management for custom automation equipment.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain teams.
• Track project performance against schedule, budget, and scope.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers throughout the project lifecycle.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop mitigation plans.

Skills

Project Management

Cross-Functional Leadership

Risk Management

Communication

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field

5+ years of project management experience

Job description

Project Planning & Execution

• Lead end-to-end project management for custom automation equipment, including assembly lines, test systems, and machine builds.
• Develop detailed project plans outlining scope, schedule, budget, resource allocation, and deliverables.
• Define project milestones and ensure alignment with internal teams and customer expectations.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Coordinate with Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Controls), Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to ensure seamless execution.
• Facilitate regular project meetings, including design reviews, progress updates, and risk assessments.
• Drive accountability across teams to meet project timelines and deliverables.

Monitoring & Problem Solving

• Track project performance against schedule, budget, and scope.
• Identify potential risks, bottlenecks, or delays, and implement corrective actions.
• Lead root cause analysis and resolution of technical, production, or supplier-related issues.

Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers throughout the project lifecycle.
• Communicate project status, key milestones, risks, and changes to customers and internal leadership.
• Manage customer expectations and ensure final deliverables meet contractual and quality requirements.
• Support customer visits, system run-offs, and final acceptance activities.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Conduct risk assessments and develop mitigation and contingency plans.
• Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards, safety regulations, and quality requirements.
• Monitor project changes and manage scope creep through formal change control processes.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of project management experience in automotive manufacturing, industrial automation, or machine tool environments.
• Experience managing custom machinery, assembly systems, or test equipment programs strongly preferred.

Technical & Functional Skills

• Strong understanding of automotive manufacturing processes, automation systems, and production environments.
• Proven experience managing project scope, schedules, budgets, and risk.
• Familiarity with engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, controls) and manufacturing processes.