Program Manager

Freudenberg; South Haven (IN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Freudenberg is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead automotive programs from award through launch and serial production. You will ensure alignment with customer requirements, manage cross‑functional teams, and drive timing plans to achieve critical deadlines.

The role requires 5+ years in program or project management within automotive manufacturing, with APQP knowledge and strong stakeholder management. Global collaboration and cost tracking are core aspects of the position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, supply chain, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years in Program/Project Management or automotive development environments.
• PMI PMP or equivalent certification preferred.
• Strong knowledge of APQP, product launch processes and automotive quality standards.
• Experience with KPI tracking, risk management and customer communications.

Responsibilities

• Lead assigned automotive programs from award through launch and serial production.
• Manage program activities per Vibracoustic APQP standards to ensure milestones and on-time execution.
• Develop and drive program timing plans to hit deadlines and launch targets.
• Monitor performance using KPI tracking, risk management, and issue escalation.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Launch.
• Support commercial goals via project cost tracking, budgeting and cost calculations for new business.
• Drive launch readiness across regional and global teams for smooth industrialization and customer launches.
• Identify and mitigate program risks with clear communication to stakeholders and customers.
• Ensure deliverables meet customer expectations, quality requirements and financial targets.

Skills

Program Management

APQP knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or related field

Tools

PMP Certification

Job description

Working at Freudenberg: We will wow your world!

Responsibilities

• Lead assigned automotive programs from award through launch and serial production, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and business objectives.
• Manage all program activities in accordance with Vibracoustic APQP standards, ensuring milestone quality, deliverable completion, and on-time program execution.
• Develop, maintain, and drive program timing plans to ensure critical deadlines and launch targets are achieved.
• Monitor program performance through KPI tracking, risk management, issue resolution, and escalation management.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Launch Management to ensure successful program delivery.
• Support commercial objectives through project cost tracking, budget management, and coordination of cost calculations for new business opportunities.
• Drive launch readiness activities across regional and global teams, ensuring smooth product industrialization and customer launches.
• Identify and proactively mitigate program risks while maintaining effective communication with internal stakeholders and customers.
• Ensure all program deliverables meet customer expectations, quality requirements, and financial targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in Program Management, Project Management, Product Development, Business Development, or a related automotive manufacturing environment.
• Project Management certification (PMP or equivalent) preferred.
• Strong knowledge of APQP, product launch processes, and automotive quality standards.
• Experience managing program schedules, budgets, KPIs, risk mitigation, and customer-facing communications.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, global automotive environment while managing multiple priorities.

The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Vibracoustic USA Inc. Welcome to Freudenberg Without Freudenberg, indoor air would not be as clean, cars would not drive and wounds would not heal as quickly. And these are just three examples from thousands of our applications. Working at Freudenberg: "We will wow your world!" This is our promise. As a global technology group, we not only make the world cleaner, healthier and more comfortable, but also offer our 51,000 employees a networked and diverse environment where everyone can thrive individually. Be surprised and experience your own wow moments.