Program Manager - Automotive

Mitchell Plastics•Kitchener, ON

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Mitchell Plastics is an award-winning, growing company and a global leader in automotive interior solutions. Our strength comes from providing our worldwide automotive customers with a single-source solution for their interior plastic component needs — from concept through production. With more than 2,800 innovative team members across 7 manufacturing locations throughout North America, we are committed to delivering world-class quality, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and innovative solutions that keep us at the forefront of the automotive industry. At Mitchell Plastics, our people are the foundation of our success. We offer an exciting opportunity to join a growing “Best in Class” team where employees are supported through ongoing development, training, and opportunities for career advancement. We are always looking for driven, talented individuals who want to make an impact and grow with us. Come join our Team, and learn first-hand how you can contribute to our “Innovation Inside”!

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
5+ years of experience in engineering interior decorative and functional automotive components for automotive suppliers
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, and CAD software
Understanding of IATF 16949 quality and environmental management systems
Familiarity with OEM customer-specific requirements
Experience working directly with automotive OEMs
Willingness and ability to travel within the U.S., Canada, and Mexico as required

Responsibilities

Own all phases of awarded program development including program management, project engineering, prototype assembly, design, tooling, quoting, feasibility, change notice process, and pre-production sign-off
Maintain ultimate timing responsibility through all development phases, tracking program schedules and tool progress reports
Track and update all program-specific open issues and maintain visual program display boards, updated weekly
Lead regular APQP meetings; initiate program-specific meetings and ensure all discussions and approvals are properly recorded
Maintain program financial status by updating program quotations and balance sheets; ensure all documentation including POs, requisitions, and meeting minutes are current
Create and maintain all program information on the intranet; track incoming and outgoing data and maintain thorough program records
Lead conceptual and detailed product design including benchmarking, subcontracting, data transfer, design review, and design validation; communicate design progress to the customer
Conduct weekly design reviews with the design team; schedule milestone design reviews with cross-functional stakeholders from manufacturing, quality, and management
Manage the validation and test process; ensure all customer DVP&R requirements are met and concerns are addressed via 8D methodology with findings documented on DFMEA, PFMEA, and control plans
Manage the paint development process and coordinate pre-production and run-at-rate trials with support from program engineers and the manufacturing paint engineer
Manage all tooling aspects of awarded programs; source capable molds, gauges, and fixtures; approve tools before shipping to plants and manage engineering changes to tools in production
Ensure all pre-production documentation, testing, drawings, process analysis, dimensional control, and capacity analysis are completed prior to launch; lead process sign-off and customer approval activities
Initiate feasibility studies for new programs; review and log all quotes per established procedure with sign-off from the Director of Engineering or General Manager