Strategic Project Manager, Material Cost Optimization

dtna; United States; On-site; USD 104,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k with company match up to 6%

4 weeks paid vacation

13+ calendar holidays

8 weeks paid parental leave

Comprehensive healthcare plans

Onsite fitness (at some locations)

Tuition assistance

Volunteer paid time off

Disability plans

Job summary

DTNA is seeking a Project Manager to lead the DDC Material Cost Optimization (MatCo) program, coordinating across purchasing, engineering, controlling, cost engineering, quality, logistics, and global powertrain stakeholders. The role establishes governance, tracks progress, and drives cross-functional teams from idea generation to implementation and financial realization.

The position demands experience in multi-functional leadership within automotive contexts, strong communication skills, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in engineering, supply chain, business, finance, project management, or a related field.
• 5+ years of related experience in program or project management.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives in automotive or powertrain environments.
• Strong verbal and written communication; ability to influence without direct authority.
• Understanding of tariffs, trade compliance and total landed cost considerations.

Responsibilities

• Act as the central DDC Procurement project lead and primary coordination interface across local and global functions.
• Establish and maintain program structure, governance, meeting cadence, decision pathways, and workstreams.
• Lead working-team, steering, and management review prep; document decisions, risks, actions; drive closure.
• Coordinate Procurement activities with the global Powertrain organization and transfer standards, tools, work packages, and best practices into the DDC operating model.
• Provide escalation and decision support when measures are at risk due to funding, engineering capacity, validation timing, supplier readiness, or cross-functional dependencies.
• Support focused idea-generation and measure-maturation activities, including module-team deep dives, supplier workshops, benchmarking, value analysis/value engineering events, specification reviews, resourcing reviews, and cross-functional focus weeks.
• Prepare and support regular program status reports and management presentations covering target achievement, pipeline maturity, financial impact, funding needs, implementation status, risks, and required decisions.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Cost reduction

Supply chain

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Influencing without authority

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, supply chain, business, finance, project management, or a related field

Job description

DTNA is seeking a Project Manager to lead the DDC Material Cost Optimization (MatCo) program, coordinating across purchasing, engineering, controlling, cost engineering, quality, logistics, and global powertrain stakeholders. The role establishes governance, tracks progress, and drives cross-functional teams from idea generation to implementation and financial realization.

The position demands experience in multi-functional leadership within automotive contexts, strong communication skills, and