Program Manager Aftermarket Police & Fleet

Ground Effects LLC; Sterling Heights (MI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Ground Effects LLC in Sterling Heights, MI is seeking a Program Manager for Aftermarket Police & Fleet programs. You will lead cross-functional teams from quote to cash, driving launches, budgeting, and continuous improvement.

The role requires 3+ years in automotive program management, robust communication, and strong planning skills. On-site in Sterling Heights with moderate travel to US/Canada; PMP a plus.

Qualifications

• University/College graduate in Business, Engineering, Operations, or equivalent related experience.
• Experience with automotive program management and cross-functional launches.

Responsibilities

• Lead aftermarket vehicle programs from RFQ through launch and cash collection.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Engineering, Process, Operations, Sales, Purchasing, Quality, and Finance.
• Develop integrated program plans covering scope, estimates, approvals, engineering release, BOM validation, procurement, production readiness, shipment, and financial closeout.
• Monitor performance via dashboards and manage schedule, cost, quality, and risks to protect commitments.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

RFQ & Estimating

MS Excel

Communication

Project tracking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP systems

MES systems

CRM systems

Job description

Program Manager Aftermarket Police & Fleet

Job Category: Sales

Requisition Number: PROGR001735

• Posted : October 23, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

Sterling Heights, MI 48314, USA

Description

Job Summary

Leads aftermarket specialty vehicle programs from quote to cash, including new product development,ensuring successful launches, customer satisfaction, and achievement of program objectives. Coordinates cross-functional teams across Engineering, Process, Operations, Sales, Purchasing, Quality, and Finance to deliver projects on time and within budget. Drives program planning, execution,risk management, and continuous improvement while maintaining accountability for key milestones anddeliverables.

Key Responsibilities

Program Execution

• Lead Specialty Vehicle programs from RFQ through launch, delivery, invoicing, and cashcollection support using a structured aftermarket Advanced Product Quality Planningframework.
• Establish and manage integrated program plans covering scope, estimating, approvals,engineering release, BOM validation, procurement, production readiness, shipment, andfinancial closeout.
• Monitor performance through executive dashboards and proactively resolve schedule, material, cost, quality, and operational risks to protect customer commitments andbusiness objectives.

Customer Requirements and Commercial Alignment

• Translate customer requirements and new product development opportunities intocontrolled technical, operational, and commercial deliverables. Validate vehicle content,option compatibility, regulatory and packaging requirements, delivery expectations, quoteassumptions, margin impacts, and approval requirements before customer commitment.
• Manage scope changes in partnership with Sales and Estimating to maintain alignment between customer expectations and program viability.

Configuration and Launch Readiness

• Ensure BOMs, engineering releases, configurations, drawings, work instructions, routings,sales codes, kit structures, sourcing plans, and build sequences are accurate andproduction ready.
• Lead BOM scrubs, release-readiness reviews, and launch handoffs to confirm thatcustomer-specific content, substitutions, change levels, and manufacturing requirementsare documented, controlled, and executable without avoidable delay or rework.
• Coordinate with Development, Process Engineering, Sales, and Production Managementto establish and execute realistic vehicle PER development timelines

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead recurring program reviews with Engineering, Development, Process, Sales, Operations, Purchasing, Quality, Finance, and senior leadership to align priorities,confirm milestone status, assign ownership, and resolve cross-functional constraints.
• Drive timely decisions and accountability for customer deliverables, recovery actions,material and quality issues, invoicing blockers, and launch readiness.
• Participate in quality management system audits and support compliance withestablished processes and controls.

Customer Support and Continuous Improvement

Serve as the primary program interface for customer communication, issue escalation,launch support, and post-launch stabilization.

Provide clear updates on timing, VIN readiness, upfit content, shipment dates, scopechanges, and recovery plans, and escalated unresolved matters with defined businessimpacts, decision requirements, owners, and due dates.

Lead lessons learned, launch retrospectives, standard-work updates, and correctiveactions to improve execution across future Specialty Vehicle programs.

Qualifications

Education

• University/College graduate in Business, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or equivalent related experience in automotive manufacturing, aftermarket upfit, or program management.

Preferred:

• Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or Program Management background with experience supporting vehicle launches, specialty vehicle upfits, or customer-specific aftermarket programs, PMP Certification.

Experience

• 3+ years in automotive program management, operations, engineering coordination, launch management, or customer-facing manufacturing support.

Preferred:

• 5+ years in automotive manufacturing, aftermarket upfit, specialty vehicles, commercial/fleet programs, or cross-functional launch execution.

Job Specific Skills

• Strong understanding of quote-to-cash work steps, including RFQ intake, estimating inputs, customer quote approval, program award, release readiness, procurement, launch, shipment, invoicing, and cash collection support.
• Ability to manage launch timing, milestone tracking, open issues, risk registers, escalation paths, and cross-functional accountability.
• Working knowledge of BOM structures, engineering releases, change control, routings, work instructions, material readiness, and manufacturing launch requirements.
• Strong communication, organization, customer-facing problem solving, and leadership skills in a matrixed environment.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets, program trackers, ERP/MES/CRM systems, document control tools, and standard Microsoft Office applications.
• Must have and maintain an appropriate and valid Ontario Driver's license.
• Must have and maintain legal entry status to the United States.

Preferred:

• Experience with APQP, launch gate reviews, FMEA/control plan inputs, Lean problem solving, and continuous improvement methods.
• Knowledge of specialty vehicle accessories, electrical content, upfit packaging, fleet/commercial customer requirements, warranty considerations, and revenue recognition impacts.

Working Conditions

The following working conditions are present or expected daily :

• Moderate travel to the United States / Canada is required
• Strong ability to conduct presentations and perform excel formulas / macros
• Normal office environment; manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.