Senior Automotive Project Manager

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive-level salary

Medical aid

Pension fund

Performance bonuses

Career advancement

Professional development program

Richards Bay hub

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Automotive Project Manager in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. The role leads complex projects across planning, execution, and delivery, ensuring quality, cost control, and on-time completion within a cross-functional team environment.

You will drive project plans, resource allocation, risk mitigation, and stakeholder communication while upholding safety and lean manufacturing principles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• PMP certification is highly desirable.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in project management within the automotive industry.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage all phases of automotive projects from initiation to closure.
• Develop detailed project plans with scope, timelines, budgets and resources.
• Lead cross-functional project teams and ensure accountability.
• Monitor progress, identify risks and issues, and implement mitigations.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and ensure clear communication throughout the lifecycle.
• Ensure adherence to quality standards, safety regulations and company policies.
• Oversee procurement and vendor relationships.
• Conduct post-mortems and capture lessons learned for future projects.
• Prepare and present regular status reports to senior management.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within PM processes.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Cross-functional teams

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

PMP certification

Tools

MS Project

Asana

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant player in the automotive supply chain located in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal , is seeking a highly experienced Senior Automotive Project Manager. This pivotal role will oversee the planning, execution, and completion of complex automotive projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in project management within the automotive industry, exceptional leadership skills, and a deep understanding of manufacturing processes and product development lifecycles. You will be responsible for managing cross-functional teams, stakeholder communication, risk assessment, and resource allocation. This is a fantastic opportunity to drive key initiatives and contribute to the success of our operations in Richards Bay .

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all phases of automotive projects, from initiation to closure.
• Develop detailed project plans, including scope, timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Lead and motivate cross-functional project teams, fostering collaboration and accountability.
• Monitor project progress, identify potential risks and issues, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and ensure clear, consistent communication throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure adherence to quality standards, safety regulations, and company policies.
• Oversee the procurement of necessary resources and manage vendor relationships.
• Conduct project post-mortems and identify lessons learned for future projects.
• Prepare and present regular project status reports to senior management.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within project management processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field; PMP certification is highly desirable.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in project management, with a significant portion within the automotive industry.
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex, cross-functional projects.
• Strong understanding of automotive manufacturing processes (e.g., APQP, PPAP).
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., MS Project, Asana).
• Experience with risk management and problem-solving.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet demanding deadlines.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
• Knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles is an advantage.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive executive-level salary, comprehensive medical aid, and pension fund benefits.
• This position includes eligibility for annual performance-based bonuses and offers significant opportunities for career advancement within a growing organization.
• Employees will benefit from a structured professional development program and work in a key industrial hub in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal .
• We pride ourselves on a supportive and results-oriented work environment.
• This is a challenging and rewarding role for a seasoned project leader.