Program/Project Manager, bilingual in Korean

Cesna-Recruitment; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K plan

Paid time off

Sick days

Company perks

Job summary

Cesna-Recruitment is seeking an experienced Program Manager in Michigan to lead automotive programs from concept to production. You will coordinate with headquarters, manage cross‑functional teams, and own program milestones while ensuring quality and timely delivery.

Strong communication skills and stakeholder management are essential for global collaboration. The role requires a technical engineering background, 5+ years in program management, and a PM certification is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent experience. Engineering degree preferred.
• 5+ years of project/program management in automotive with track record of delivery.
• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams and manage complex programs across the lifecycle.
• PM certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for business issues and resolve promptly.
• Liaise between customers and internal teams for clear communication.
• Coordinate with HQ to monitor, resolve issues and provide status updates.
• Clarify customer requirements and provide tailored business/engineering solutions.
• Support customers in resolving technical issues and collaborate with engineering teams.
• Own and manage programs across the full product lifecycle and coordinate cross‑functional teams.
• Lead customer communications and build strong relationships with professionalism.
• Arrange meetings between LG Display and customers to align goals and timelines.
• Deliver results with accountability for timing, quality and customer satisfaction.
• Manage program risks, documentation, and production readiness.
• Lead Change Management and ensure resources support quality and safety.

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or technical field

5+ years project/program management in automotive

Cross-functional leadership

Program management certification (preferred)

Tools

MS Office

PM software/tools

Job description

Responsibilities

• Initial Communication & Issue Resolution
  • Serve as the first point of contact for any business-related issues, ensuring prompt and effective resolution.
  • Function as a liaison between customers and internal teams, facilitating clear and timely communication.
• Coordination with Headquarters (HQ)
  • Work closely with HQ to monitor and resolve issues, ensuring alignment with company policies and procedures.
  • Provide regular updates to HQ on project status, customer feedback, and potential challenges.
• Customer Requirement Analysis & Solution Provision
  • Clarify customer requirements through detailed discussions and documentation.
  • Provide tailored solutions to address both business and engineering‑related challenges.
• Customer Support & Engineering Collaboration
  • Assist customers in resolving technical and operational issues, ensuring smooth project execution.
  • Collaborate with engineering teams to develop and implement effective solutions.
• Program Leadership & Ownership
  • Own and manage assigned programs across the full product lifecycle, including program award, development, supplier selection, launch, series production, post‑production performances and lessons learned, in alignment with the LGD product delivery process lead and coordinate multi‑disciplinary, cross‑functional teams to achieve program objectives related to timing, quality and customer satisfaction.
  • Establish, maintain, and monitor top‑level program plans, including customer milestones, internal deliverables, and resource requirements.
• Customer & Stakeholder interface
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for customers on assigned programs, leading all program‑related communications.
  • Build strong customer relationships and represent with professionalism, accountability, and transparency.
  • Participate in lessons‑learned analyses for both awarded and lost business opportunities.
• Meeting Coordination & Facilitation
  • Arrange and facilitate meetings for design, innovative technology promotion, process, and business discussions between LG Display and customers.
  • Ensure all stakeholders are aligned on project goals, timelines, and deliverables.
• Program Execution & Performance
  • Deliver business results that meet or exceed LGD expectations for awarded programs, with clear accountability for timing, quality performance.
  • Regularly communicate program status, risks, and mitigation plans to internal teams and management steering committees.
  • Coordinate and monitor program documentation, schedules, technical performance (including tooling, and capacity), quality deliverables, and production readiness.
  • Proactively manage risks, implement countermeasures, and elevate issues when required.
• Change, Risk & Production Management
  • Lead the global Change Management process, ensuring alignment to design, specifications, cost, and timing commitments.
  • Manage the Series Production phase, including claims management, change execution, continuous improvement initiatives, ECR/APQP change/validation change activities, and ongoing commercial negotiations.
  • Ensure sufficient resources are planned and allocated to support quality, timing, safety, and security objectives.
• Compliance, Quality & Safety
  • Ensure programs are executed in accordance with Supplier Quality Management System (SQMS) requirements.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable automotive standards and customer‑specific requirements, including IATF 16949, Automotive SPICE, ISO 17025.
  • Maintain working knowledge of APQP and regulations and ensure all program activities are performed in a safe manner.
• Business Travel & Customer Support
  • Conduct business trips to manufacturing sites or HQ to support customer visits and project reviews.
  • Function as a key representative during customer visits, ensuring a positive and productive experience.
• Confidentiality & Information Management
  • Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information appropriately, ensuring data security and compliance.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent experience (three additional years of relevant technical experience in degree). A technical or engineering degree is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of project and/or program management experience within the automotive industry, with a demonstrated record of successful program execution.
• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams and manage complex programs across multiple phases of the product lifecycle.
• Experience coaching or developing project and/or program managers is preferred.
• Project Management certification is preferred.
• Prior experience in a Program manager or Design release engineer environment is a plus.

Technical Skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Familiarity with project management tools and software.
• Solid understanding of automotive product development processes and cross‑functional engineering practices.
• Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder‑management skills, with the ability to drive results in a global environment.

Language Proficiency

• Bilingual in Korean and English preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively with global clients and internal teams.

Comprehensive health insurance, 401K, PTO, Sick days, company perks