Program Manager (2026)

Nexteer Automotive; Saginaw (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Nexteer Automotive seeks a Program Manager for the US Division to drive new customer programs from charter through 6 months post-launch. You will lead a cross-functional Business Case Delivery Team, ensuring on-time delivery, budget adherence, and quality across internal teams, customers, and suppliers.

The role requires 10+ years in automotive, strong leadership, and financial acumen, with ability to navigate ISO/IATF processes and CPI tools. Travel is expected as needed.

Qualifications

• 10+ years automotive cross-functional experience
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills
• Proven business and financial acumen
• Ability to communicate with customers and suppliers at all levels
• Experience with ISO/quality processes is a plus

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional team to deliver programs from charter to 6 months post-launch
• Own program metrics: cost, quality, timing, performance
• Manage risk assessments and mitigation plans
• Ensure timely and accurate CPI data and KPI reporting
• Coordinate with Sales, Engineering, and suppliers to ensure program commitments
• Drive early and ongoing customer relationship management

Skills

Automotive experience

Leadership

Financial acumen

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Customer communication

Problem solving

Project planning

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Microsoft Project

CPI Web

Job description

At Nexteer, our strength lies in the diversity of our team- each member contributing unique backgrounds, experiences, and aspirations. We believe this diversity fuels our innovation, broadens our perspectives, and propels our collective growth.

For over a century, we have been innovators in the automotive industry. Our vision is clear - we are a global leading motion control technology company accelerating mobility to be safe, green and exciting. Our unwavering commitment to Quality, Collaboration, Integrity, and Accountability guides us as we solve motion control challenges for our global customers. If you're ready to join a dynamic team that drives change and makes a difference, Nexteer welcomes you!

About the Role:

The US Division Program Management Team is seeking to fill an opening for a Program Manager, accountable to execute and deliver new customer programs from Program Charter through 6 months post Program Launch. We are looking for a candidate that can lead a cross-functional team (Business Case Delivery Team) with strong leadership skills and confidence to interact at multiple levels both internally with externally with customers and suppliers. The ideal candidate has a bias for action, self-motivated, and driven to achieve the program metrics, including timing, quality, and financials.

Key Responsibilities

• Business Leader for their Program: Demonstrate ownership of, accountability for, and commitment to the Program balancing program metrics (cost, quality, timing, performance).
• Leader of theBCDT, responsible for OI%, NPV$, Year 1 MRTS%, and Exiting ER's On-Time.
• Achieve Financial Commitments as measured per the appropriation (organizational commitment) including OI, NPV, MRTS, CapEx, and Customer Tool Rebill, with focus on profitable launch at SOP + 6 months.
• Ensure expectations and responsibilities are clear to team members and they understand their importance to the program.
• Effectively utilize theCustomerProgramImplementation process and tools. Major tools include CPI Process Map, CPI Web System, Design Reviews and Enterprise Reviews.
• Conduct cross-functional BOD/BOP Risk Assessment workshop to identify program risks shortly after Program Charter.
• Lead program timing development, including timing dependencies and assumptions to meet customer requirements.
• Drive discipline & accountability in project plans.
• Clearly communicate risks and plans to mitigate those risks to ensure each CPI phase exits on time and adherence to program imperatives is met. Ensure Nexteer and Customer risk assessments are current.
• Escalate Issues to Management if Issues and Step Outputs cannot be completed on time and work with the team to develop a risk mitigation plan to protect program launch timing and financials.
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate program information in CPI Web throughout the year, including KPIs, CPI Step Due Dates, Customer SORP, and Financials.
• Drive theBCDT/PDT to conduct DR and ER reviews on-time! Work to ensure ER's are fully exited on-time or < 30 days after the initial review was scheduled.
• With our Customers: Lead with Sales and Engineering the customer relationship for the program including customer communication, coordination, and issue resolution within the enterprise.
• With our Suppliers: Support MAPP Approval and APQP Processes on-site at key suppliers; build relationships with our suppliers' top management.
• With our Plants: Develop strong relationship with Plant LaunchLeader and Plant Staff.
• Maintain appropriate program documentation to comply with ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 requirements.

Required Qualifications

• 10 or more years of automotive experiencewithin a cross functional environment preferred
• Proven Business & Financial Acumen skills to make decisions based on a solid understanding of the business and organizational impact. Ability to see the impact a decision will have on timing and financial health of the program
• Excellent leadership skills in a team environment - inspire and motivate team members to high performance
• Strong Analytical and Reporting skills; ability to convey executive summaries
• Effective External Communication with the Customer Organization at all levels and functions
• Strong interpersonal skills to drive execution of program
• Strong Conflict Management and Negotiation skills
• Risk and Issue Management skills, including timely and effective escalation
• Able to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and customers to successfully negotiate and meet program commitments.
• Strong project planning and tracking capability using Microsoft Project and CPI Web
• Understanding of Project Management Process knowledge
• Understands Product Safety processes as it relates to the design, release, and manufacturing of products
• Understanding of technical & commercial aspects of product line
• Problem solving skills utilizing I&CIM tools (3L5Y, FAST X, Six Sigma, etc.)
• Nexteer Business Process Knowledge
• Nexteer Quality Management System Training
• ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 Awareness Training
• Proficient with Microsoft office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project)
• Willingness and ability to travel

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in engineering

Accessibility for Applicants with Disabilities:

If you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please email [e-mail]. Please provide your contact information and details about the posted position of interest. Only inquiries regarding assistance for those who need an accommodation with the online application process due to a disability will be returned.

Nexteer is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Disabled/Minorities/Veterans/Women

This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored work authorization. Do not apply for this role if you will need immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of Nexteer as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.)

Nexteer is an E-Verify employer. N-Verify is an internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employees to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees in the United States.

About Nexteer

Nexteer Automotive is a global leader in advanced steering and motion control systems, enabling intuitive, safe, and comfortable mobility for drivers around the world. Our innovative product portfolio includes Electric Power Steering (EPS), Steer-by-Wire, Driveline, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technologies that support electrification, software-defined vehicles, and autonomous driving.

With approximately 13,000 employees and operations in more than 20 manufacturing plants and multiple technical centers globally, Nexteer partners with nearly every major global and regional automotive manufacturer.