Program Manager, Engineering

Summit Polymers • Portage, MI

1d

About The Position

The Program Manager, Engineering performs managerial and technical work involving the development and design of one or more product components. The role manages program budgets and timelines, leads the Program Development Team (PDT), and serves as the primary liaison among the customer, Sales, Design, Estimating, Accounting, Quality, and Manufacturing. The position reports to the Chief Engineer and is classified as exempt.

The Program Manager oversees program feasibility, quoting, engineering changes, sales orders, profitability, design and tooling budgets, program timing, quality, customer satisfaction, APQP, launch activities, documentation, and customer submissions. The position typically requires up to 25% travel. Other duties may be assigned, and the employee must complete required post-hire training.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering and 2 years of automotive project engineering experience; or some college instruction, preferably in an engineering curriculum, and 7 years of progressive manufacturing/engineering experience, including 2 years of automotive project engineering experience.
• Ability to gather and analyze information and make decisions from a limited number of [the job description does not specify further].
• Minimum score of 50 on the Wonderlic Contemporary Cognitive Ability Test (traditional score of 26 on the cognitive portion).

Responsibilities

• Participate in pre-production feasibility reviews to assess whether new products are capable of being manufactured and designed within manufacturing standards.
• Participate in developing and reviewing quotes.
• Generate Engineering Change Request documents for changes affecting tooling and/or product pricing.
• Maintain the program’s overall budget and ensure the program is completed within agreed design, engineering, and tooling budgets.
• Review and track all program Sales Orders.
• Work with Sales and Manufacturing to resolve production piece price amendments (3PAs), Sales Orders, and other debits affecting profitability.
• Manage PEs, MEs, QEs, and Designers in relation to program timing, budget, quality, customer satisfaction, APQP, and launch activities.
• Maintain documentation of program activity, with evidence kept in SharePoint.
• Serve as the primary customer contact and technical liaison among Sales, Design, Engineering, Estimating, Accounting, Quality, and Manufacturing.
• Lead the PDT and maintain the program timeline, including developing and tracking the program’s critical path.
• Establish program priorities and lead weekly White Board meetings to review open issues and establish resolutions.
• Support part design using a SET-based options approach.
• Support Kaizens and A3 development activities.
• Participate in ongoing customer meetings to review concerns and issues.
• Prepare cost-saving suggestions for the customer.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with internal team members and external customers throughout the program.
• Ensure on-time delivery of customer requirements defined in the customer’s statement of work or equivalent.
• Work with the PDT to ensure a complete part submission is made and approved by the required customer date.
• Track and manage open issues related to successful submission.
• Attend customer builds as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Complete all required post-hire training.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager