Program Manager

Challenge Manufacturing; Walker (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Challenge Manufacturing is seeking a seasoned Program Manager to lead automotive program launches from concept through production. You will guide cross‑functional teams, coordinate engineering, quality and launch activities, and maintain rigorous schedules to meet customer expectations.

The role requires a strong background in APQP/PPAP processes, plus a track record of delivering large-scale programs on time and within budget. ESOP culture and ownership mindset are core to our organization.

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten years’ experience in the automotive industry, preferably in stamping, welding, or assembly operations.
• Minimum of five years’ of experience as a program manager
• Minimum of five years’ of experience leading and mentoring a team.
• Experience with estimating complex stamping and welding processes.
• A proven track record of successfully launching large scale program on time and under budget.
• Extensive experience with APQP, PAPP, PFMEA, Control Plans and GD&T
• Experience with launching programs for GM and Honda as a tier 1
• Experience with GM’s Mini-Match, MRD, MCR and PPAP process
• Experience with Honda’s NMR process
• Experience with Microsoft Office and Project required
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical/Controls, Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering preferred
• Has high standards of performance for self.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Reporting level program status updates to the executive team, including timing, quality and cost KPI’s.
• Develop effective KPI’s to monitor teams launch status and performance.
• Provide project leadership and drive all aspects of program launch.
• Lead a cross functional team to bring product design to production.
• Serve as key customer contact for engineering, quality and launch teams.
• Ensure customer deliverables and program timing are met.
• Establish and maintain an open issue report and timeline.
• Establish and maintain program files and retain in an orderly manner.
• Facilitate and manage scope change activity.
• Minimize project risk and inform Management appropriately.
• Facilitates lessons-learned session at the conclusion of the launch as part of continuous improvement

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Team Mentoring

Communication

Planning

MS Office

MS Project

Manufacturing Processes

Problem Solving

APQP

PPAP

GD&T

Education

Bachelor’s in Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial Eng

Tools

Microsoft Project

MS Excel

MS Word

APQP

PPAP

GD&T

Job description

Who We Are:

Challenge Manufacturing’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry leaders allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do and embody our core values of safety, ownership, and teamwork every day; they are the true driving force in our operations.

Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee-owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee-owners share in Challenge’s success!

Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!

Who We Want

The Program Manager acts in a leadership capacity to ensure that all aspects of the program management launch process meet internal and external customer requirements.

What You’ll Do

• Reporting level program status updates to the executive team. Including timing, quality and cost KPI’s
• Develop effective KPI’s to monitor teams launch status and performance.
• Provide project leadership and drive all aspects of program launch
• Lead a cross functional team to bring product design to production
• Serve as key customer contact for engineering, quality and launch teams
• Ensure customer deliverables and program timing are met
• Establish and maintain an open issue report and timeline
• Establish and maintain program files and retain in an orderly manner
• Facilitate and manage scope change activity
• Minimize project risk and inform Management appropriately
• Facilitates lessons-learned session at the conclusion of the launch as part of continuous improvement

What You Need To Have

• Minimum of ten years’ experience in the automotive industry, preferably in stamping, welding, or assembly operations.
• Minimum of five years’ of experience as a program manager
• Minimum of five years’ of experience leading and mentoring a team.
• Experience with estimating complex stamping and welding processes.
• A proven track record of successfully launching large scale program on time and under budget.
• Extensive experience with APQP, PAPP, PFMEA, Control Plans and GD&T
• Experience with launching programs for GM and Honda as a tier 1
• Experience with GM’s Mini-Match, MRD, MCR and PPAP process
• Experience with Honda’s NMR process
• Experience with Microsoft Office and Project required
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical/Controls, Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering preferred
• Has high standards of performance for self.
• Takes responsibility for actions, results, and mistakes.
• Is thorough, accurate, and reliable when performing and completing job tasks; demonstrates honesty and integrity in all aspects of work.
• Takes positive action to objectively resolve conflict by listening, staying focused on issue to find resolution, and monitoring progress.
• Maintains positive relationships by constructively resolving conflicts.
• Uses feedback from others to continuously improve performance and work relationships.
• Moves within own and/or other work areas (flexes) to support plant flow.
• Works with sense of urgency to meet needs of customers.
• Has necessary experience, skills, and knowledge to perform all aspects of job; rotates through all job responsibilities.
• Maintains knowledge and skills to perform job effectively.
• Has ability to focus on benefits of change and see it as positive; approaches change or newness in constructive/objective manner; views change as learning opportunity.
• Looks for good in others; works collaboratively with others; shares information and knowledge.
• Is at work when scheduled and ensures coverage when absent; takes timely breaks/lunches; uses time wisely.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes including machining, welding, fabrication and assembly
• Basic competency in MS Word, Excel, Project and PowerPoint required
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Coordination and planning skills (Project Management)
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills are required.