Job Description

To help us drive excellence, you'll get to:

• Manage program requirements, deliverables, and timelines to ensure successful execution of assigned programs and achievement of customer and business objectives.
• Monitor program milestones and proactively communicate timing risks, issues, and recovery plans to internal stakeholders and customers.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for customers regarding program status, deliverables, and issue resolution.
• Support the successful launch of new business by ensuring compliance with the AUTOKINITON Launch Process (ALP), customer requirements, and program timing expectations.
• Coordinate the resolution of open program issues, ensuring timely responses, containment actions, and follow-up activities.
• Facilitate ALP Gate Reviews and provide program updates to leadership teams.
• Identify and support cost-saving opportunities throughout the program lifecycle while maintaining quality and timing objectives.
• Lead regular program review meetings to track timing, engineering changes, bill of material (BOM) development, and critical-path activities.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Purchasing, and Commercial teams to ensure program requirements are understood and executed effectively.
• Monitor program financial performance, including budget adherence, tooling expenditures, and customer milestone achievement.
• Utilize ALP, Campfire, and other program management systems to maintain accurate program documentation and status reporting.
• Support continuous improvement efforts by documenting and sharing lessons learned to improve future program execution.
• Coordinate engineering change activities to ensure customer requirements are communicated, implemented on schedule, and managed within budget.
• Track and drive completion of APQP deliverables, PPAP submissions, and tooling payment milestones to support successful program launches.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to ensure effective communication and program execution.
• Support departmental and organizational initiatives that promote operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

This salary role is a part of our Corporate Program Management team and reports to the Director, Program Management.

Required experience:
• Bachelor's degree (B. A.) in Engineering or a related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Minimum of five (5) years' experience in automotive manufacturing, including stamping, metal forming, assemblies, tooling, or manufacturing processes.
• Minimum three (3) years of program management, project management or launch management in an automotive manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting or leading new product launches from award through production.
• Experience working with OEM customers and cross-functional teams preferred.
• Strong understanding of program budgeting, cost management, and financial tracking.
• Comprehensive knowledge of automotive build and launch processes, with the ability to develop, implement, and maintain standardized procedures.
• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, engineering change management and launch executive requirements.
• Travel to manufacturing facilities during key project and launch phases to support timely communication, coordinate activities, and facilitate the prompt resolution of issues.
• Understanding of GD&T, product design, and manufacturing principles.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proven ability to lead cross functional teams and build effective working relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Customer-focused mindset with strong issue resolution and conflict management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.
• Effective electronic communication and presentation skills.

Preferred Skills
• Familiarity with automotive program management systems and databases.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Understanding of automotive measurement and inspection methods.

Working conditions:
• We'll provide position-specific details including physical and focused efforts, working environment and conditions, and reasonable accommodations during the interview process.

Where you'll be:

This position is located at our corporate facility in New Boston, MI, offering many community events, resources, programs, and recreational opportunities for you and your family.

Why you'll enjoy working here:
• Competitive Wages and Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with Company contribution match, and 14 paid holidays, including a bridge holiday in December.
• Work-Life Balance: Many of our Associates have stayed with us for 25+ years! It takes a good work-life balance to make it that far. We support your personal and professional priorities as they impact your well-being.
• Growth Opportunities: Take your career to the next level through tuition reimbursement programs, on-the-job training, learning management systems, and advancement opportunities from within our organization.
• Learning and Development: We empower all our Associates - from entry-level to senior-level - with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in their current roles and beyond at AUTOKINITON.

AUTOKINITON Promotes a dynamic and collaborative work environment for everyone.