Program Manager (Piston Interiors)

Piston Group & Piston Automotive LLC; Pontiac (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Piston Interiors is seeking a Program Manager to lead automotive interior programs from award through launch and production. You will be the primary liaison between the customer, cross-functional teams, and manufacturing operations to ensure successful execution of program objectives related to quality, cost, timing, and profitability.

The role requires strong PM skills, experience with APQP/PPAP, and collaboration with OEM customers such as Ford and Stellantis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or related field.
• 3–5 years of Program Management experience within a Tier 1 or Tier 2 automotive supplier.
• Experience managing programs for OEM customers such as Ford Motor Company, or Stellantis.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, and automotive launch processes.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and customer-facing skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools.
• Experience with automotive interiors, seating, trim, textiles, or soft goods.
• Familiarity with IATF 16949 and OEM customer-specific requirements.
• Experience managing multiple programs simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate PMT meetings and gate reviews, and follow up on issues; ensure plant personnel are informed and attend.
• Maintain all PM schedules and customer documents; use the database when appropriate.
• Translate customer requirements into achievable program plans; inform customers in writing when milestones are at risk and provide recovery plans.
• Ensure program meets cost targets for each build event and cost recovery for changes.
• Manage pre-production build events, timelines, material orders, trackers and sample requests.
• Manage engineering change process, tracking quoting, PI, EO, tool completion, and plant readiness.
• Develop plans and track APQP/PPAP information.
• Adhere to and promote quality certification processes.
• Resolve cross-functional issues with timely, fact-based decisions; maintain team stability and engage PM management as required.
• Provide risk assessments and countermeasures early to allow PM management to act.
• Maintain active interface with OEM and Tier 1 customers and suppliers.
• Visit customer locations during milestones; some travel to Mexico and locally.
• Contribute to PM department improvements through special projects and targeted goals.
• Drive closure of cost savings and PIP projects annually.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Communication

Microsoft Office

Project management tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Business

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Project management tools

Job description

Overview

Piston Interiors- Program Manager to lead automotive interior programs from award through launch and production. This position serves as the primary liaison between the customer, internal cross-functional teams, and manufacturing operations to ensure successful execution of program objectives related to quality, cost, timing, and profitability.

Responsibilities

• • Facilitate the PMT process by calling the PMT meetings and Gate review meetings and following up on issues before and after the PMT meetings; Ensure proper Plant personnel are informed and attend.
  • Maintain all PM schedules and customer documents as required. Use the database when appropriate.
  • Translate customer program requirements into achievable program plans that satisfy both Piston Interiors and the customer. Inform customers in writing when program milestones are in jeopardy and provide recovery plans.
  • Ensure program meets cost targets for each build event and/or ensuring cost recovery for engineering changes.
  • Manage pre-production build events with timelines, material orders/trackers and sample requests to support build quantities/trackers.
  • Manage the engineering change process by tracking the associated quoting, PI, EO, tool completion, and plant readiness activities.
  • Develop plans and track the completion of APQP and PPAP information.
  • Adhere to and promote the quality certification process.
  • Resolve cross-functional issues by taking charge and making timely decisions based on facts; maintain team stability by keeping the team focused on the appropriate issues and engage Piston Interiors PM management as required.
  • Use sound judgment and provide risk assessment/viable countermeasures to Piston Interiors PM management early enough to allow for proper assistance when required.
  • Active interface with OEM and Tier 1 customers and suppliers.
  • Visit customer locations & plants during major milestone events to support the teams when required. Some travel to Mexico and locally.
  • Participate in improving the Program Management Department by performing special projects and achieving agreed upon objectives.
  • Participate and drive to closure of cost savings and PIP projects, annually.

Qualifications

• • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or related field.
  • 3–5 years of Program Management experience within a Tier 1 or Tier 2 automotive supplier.
  • Experience managing programs for OEM customers such as Ford Motor Company, or Stellantis.
  • Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, and automotive launch processes.
  • Strong project management and organizational skills.
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams.
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and customer-facing skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools.

• Preferred:

  • Experience with automotive interiors, seating, trim, textiles, or soft goods.
  • Familiarity with IATF 16949 and OEM customer-specific requirements.
  • Experience managing multiple programs simultaneously.