Program Manager - Automotive

Plastic Executive Recruiters; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Plastic Executive Recruiters seeks a Program Manager for an automotive injection molding operation in Grand Rapids, MI. This fully onsite role leads new product launches and manages customer programs from development through production, coordinating engineering, quality, and manufacturing to ensure on-time, high-quality deliveries.

The ideal candidate has 4+ years in automotive program management, injection molding experience, and strong budget/timeline discipline with a proven ability to manage

Qualifications

• 4+ years of Program or Project Management experience in automotive manufacturing.
• Experience with automotive injection molding strongly preferred.
• Experience managing program budgets, timelines, and customer relationships.

Responsibilities

• Manage automotive programs from initial development through launch and production.
• Own program timelines, budgets, deliverables, and customer expectations.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Engineering, Quality, and Manufacturing.
• Lead customer communications, program reviews, and status updates.
• Identify and resolve program risks to ensure successful launches.
• Support APQP, PPAP, and other automotive launch requirements.
• Drive accountability across departments to meet program milestones and customer commitments.

Skills

Program management

Automotive manufacturing

Budget management

Customer relationships

Cross-functional leadership

Tools

APQP

PPAP

Job description

Job Description

Program manager - automotive injection molding

An established Tier 1 automotive plastics manufacturer is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead new product launches and manage customer programs from development through production.

This is a hands‑on, customer-facing role working closely with engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful program execution. The company is looking for someone who understands automotive manufacturing, takes ownership of their programs, and can drive results in a fast-paced environment.

This is a fully onsite position. Relocation assistance is available.

Key responsibilities

• Manage automotive programs from initial development through launch and production.
• Own program timelines, budgets, deliverables, and customer expectations.
• Coordinate cross‑functional teams including Engineering, Quality, and Manufacturing.
• Lead customer communications, program reviews, and status updates.
• Identify and resolve program risks to ensure successful launches.
• Support APQP, PPAP, and other automotive launch requirements.
• Drive accountability across departments to meet program milestones and customer commitments.

Requirements

• 4+ years of Program or Project Management experience in automotive manufacturing required.
• Experience with automotive injection molding strongly preferred.
• Experience with painted, chromed, or decorative automotive plastic components is a plus.
• Experience managing program budgets, timelines, and customer relationships.

This role is being advertised in larger cities for confidentiality purposes and may not reflect the exact location of the facility.