Cascade Engineering

Senior Program Manager

Cascade Engineering$100K — $136K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Manufacturing, Engineering, or related field
  • 5+ years of experience in program management or product development
  • Strong decision-making and leadership skills with a track record of managing multiple programs
  • Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
  • Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills
  • Demonstrated accountability and results-driven mindset

Responsibilities

  • Ensure adherence to safety procedures and guidelines during launches
  • Oversee program management and customer deliverables
  • Develop and monitor program management disciplines across all teams
  • Act as gatekeeper for customer expectations alongside account management
  • Lead and mobilize internal and external resources for program needs
  • Initiate and maintain project documentation effectively
  • Lead launch team meetings and manage open issues matrix

Benefits

  • Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance starting on Day 1
  • Life Insurance (Company Paid and Supplemental)
  • 401K with match starting on Day 1
  • Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
  • Quarterly Bonus Program
  • Paid Time Off
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Short- and Long-Term Disability (Company Paid)
  • Onsite Medical Clinic
Full Job Description
Description

Scope of Responsibility

Join us as a Senior Program Manager, you'll be the driving force behind bringing innovative products to life, leading cross-functional teams from concept through production launch. You'll own program success by balancing quality, cost, timing, and customer expectations while building strong partnerships with both customers and internal teams. This is a high-impact leadership role where you'll solve complex challenges, manage risks, drive accountability, and ensure successful launches that deliver outstanding results.

Are you a collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and inspires others to perform at their best? Beyond managing programs, you'll help shape our culture by embracing servant leadership, building high-trust relationships, and living the principles of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, being proactive, putting first things first, seeking win-win solutions, and continuously improving. Are you a proactive leader who loves turning vision into action, challenges into opportunities, and goals into success? You belong here!

Location: West Plant at 5055 36th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI. 49512

Target Pay: The target starting base salary for this position is $100,000.00 - $136,000.00 / year (plus quarterly bonus and sales incentive). Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Cascade Engineering considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.

What You'll Be Doing
  • Ensures the launch team adheres to all safety procedures and guidelines
  • Oversees the management of all programs and assumes responsibility for customer deliverables
  • Develops, teaches, and monitors common program management disciplines and ensures consistent use of these disciplines in all programs
  • Gate keeper for understanding expectations of the customers. Together with account management, pushing back respectfully when outside of scope.
  • Owns program and is clear leader for mobilizing both internal and external resources to meet program requirements
  • Initiates and maintains project folders and APLS workbooks
  • Leads and coordinates launch team meetings and updates the open issues matrix
  • Owns the APQP process and is responsible for the completion of checklist items
  • Is the voice of reason on launch - develops business cases for additional expenses short term that could be better for the life of the program for long term safety, quality, and efficiency
  • Tracks and controls all projects in real time, ensuring that all chargeable costs are assigned to the customer
  • Leads activities to meet quality and delivery goals for successful start of production as defined by the customer statement of work
  • Leads program reviews that provide appropriate status, and updated for cost, timing, and risk management
  • Obtains management approval prior to making decisions that will cause deterioration of established program, cost, and schedule objectives
  • Clearly and effectively communicates program status to leadership and other stakeholders, including timing, financial status, business and technical risks, issues and actions, and need for support.
  • Develops and implements corrective action plans when deviations from budgets and/or schedules are evident
  • Coordinates and facilitates gate reviews from gate 1 through gate 5. With Plant Manager, is responsible for ensuring plant and program readiness for launch.
  • Assures a timely closeout of complete programs to ensure that all obligations are satisfied and program documentation is properly recorded
  • Performs additional responsibilities as requested to achieve business objectives


Culture Bearer
  • Understands and supports the values of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL)
  • Exhibits high moral and ethical standards and high integrity
  • Values people regardless of their background
  • Exhibits the traits of a servant leader
  • Exhibit the principles of 7 Habits and Emotional Intelligence
  • Encourages open dialogue and communication
  • Develops high trust relationships within all levels of the organization
  • Pursues Excellence


Requirements

  • Bachelors of Science in Business, Manufacturing, Engineering, or related field
  • 5+ years of experience in program management or product development function
  • Demonstrated superior decision making/leadership abilities in managing multiple programs to meet goals (quality, cost, and delivery of programs)
  • Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
  • Ability to lead a team and communicate effectively (written and verbal)
  • Detail oriented individual with good organizational skills
  • Demonstrated accountability and drive for results, coupled with the ability to work with minimal supervision & ability to push self/others for results required
  • Proficient in Microsoft 365


Preferred
  • PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification
  • Knowledge and application of agile project management processes
  • MBA or Master's Degree in Engineering related field
  • 10+ years of experience in product development function
  • Ability to function independently in customer setting


Benefits
  • Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance - Starting on Day 1
  • Life Insurance (Company Paid and Supplemental)
  • 401K with match - Starting on Day 1
  • Flex Spending and Health Savings Accounts
  • Quarterly Bonus Program
  • Paid Time Off
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Short- and Long-Term Disability (Company Paid)
  • Onsite Medical Clinic


Perks
  • Weekly Pay
  • Childcare Assistance (Tri-Share)
  • Flexible Hours & Scheduling
  • Attendance Recognition Program
  • Voucher programs for Safety Shoes and Prescription Safety Glasses
  • Employee Discount Programs
  • Employee Referral & Retention Bonus Program
  • Adoption Assistance
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Free Uniforms / T-shirts
  • Employee Resource Groups
  • Smoking Cessation Products and Programs

About Cascade Engineering

Cascade Engineering is a manufacturing company that produces a variety of products, including automotive parts, recycling containers, and renewable energy systems. The company was founded in 1973 by Fred Keller and has since grown to become a leader in sustainable manufacturing practices. Cascade Engineering is committed to social and environmental responsibility, and has received numerous awards for its efforts in these areas. The company is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan and has additional locations in Michigan, North Carolina, and Europe.
Learn more about Cascade Engineering
Size
1,500 employees
Industry
Founded
1973

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