Program Manager

SCN - Search Consulting Network; Taylor (MI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care benefits

401K with Matching

Advancement opportunities

Job summary

SCN - Search Consulting Network partners with a Global Automotive Leader to hire a Program Manager. The role oversees customer programs from quotation through SOP, coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver on schedule.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor''s degree (or equivalent) and 3–5 years of PM experience in automotive, with strong communication and problem-solving skills. APQP/PPAP familiarity and IATF 16949 knowledge are a plus. MS Project and Salesforce are preferred tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor''s degree or equivalent experience.
• 3–5 years of Project Management experience.
• Automotive industry experience required.
• PMP certification is a plus.
• Experience with APQP and PPAP strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of IATF 16949 is preferred.
• Experience with adhesives, sealants, coatings, specialty chemicals, or related materials is a plus.
• Experience with Microsoft Project, Salesforce, and Microsoft Office preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead new automotive product launch programs from quotation through SOP.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, milestones, and risk registers.
• Coordinate APQP and PPAP activities to achieve customer and internal requirements.
• Drive accountability across cross-functional teams to keep programs on schedule.
• Identify project risks early and develop practical mitigation and recovery plans.
• Lead regular project meetings with internal teams and OEM customers.
• Coordinate activities across Sales, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations.
• Track project budgets, timing, deliverables, milestones, and overall program health.
• Escalate issues appropriately while presenting solutions and recovery plans.
• Ensure compliance with customer requirements, APQP methodology, and internal stage-gate processes.
• Support launch readiness and customer production approvals.
• Maintain accurate project documentation and reporting.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Decision-making

Education

Bachelor''s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Project

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are partnering with a Global Automotive Leader who is hiring for a Program Manager.

Company Highlights

• Global supplier of automotive adhesives, sealants, coatings, and lightweight material solutions
• Supports leading automotive OEMs around the world
• Technology-driven organization focused on innovative material solutions
• Strong involvement in new product development and automotive launch programs
• Cross-functional environment connecting Sales, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations

Position Highlights

• Lead customer programs from initial quotation through Start of Production (SOP)
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 3–5 years of Project Management experience.
• Automotive industry experience required.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to lead and hold cross-functional teams accountable without direct authority.
• Experience with APQP and PPAP strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of IATF 16949 is preferred.
• Experience with adhesives, sealants, coatings, specialty chemicals, or related materials is a plus.
• PMP certification is a plus.
• Experience with Microsoft Project, Salesforce, and Microsoft Office preferred.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead new automotive product launch programs from quotation through SOP.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, milestones, and risk registers.
• Coordinate APQP and PPAP activities to achieve customer and internal requirements.
• Drive accountability across cross-functional teams to keep programs on schedule.
• Identify project risks early and develop practical mitigation and recovery plans.
• Lead regular project meetings with internal teams and OEM customers.
• Coordinate activities across Sales, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations.
• Track project budgets, timing, deliverables, milestones, and overall program health.
• Escalate issues appropriately while presenting solutions and recovery plans.
• Ensure compliance with customer requirements, APQP methodology, and internal stage-gate processes.
• Support launch readiness and customer production approvals.
• Maintain accurate project documentation and reporting.

What is Being Offered

• Challenge: Take ownership of multiple automotive programs and lead them from commercial opportunity through successful production launch.
• Advancement: Opportunity to grow within a global automotive organization and take on increasingly complex customer programs.
• Comprehensive health care benefits
• 401K with Matching
• People / Culture: Looking for a proactive, accountable Project Manager who takes ownership, anticipates problems, and is comfortable challenging teams to keep programs moving.
• Stability: Established global automotive supplier with relationships across major OEM customers and a diversified portfolio of material technologies.