Regional Automotive Project Manager

PPG Industries•Lafayette, LA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Regional OEM Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and delivering Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) projects across the region. This role serves as the primary point of coordination between internal cross‑functional teams, site managers, and stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, within budget, and in alignment with contractual, quality, and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations, or a related field
5+ years of project management experience in manufacturing, industrial, or technology environment
PMP or CAPM certification strongly preferred, or equivalent formal project management training and experience.
Demonstrated experience managing cross‑functional, multi‑site projects
Proven ability to manage project scope, schedule, cost, and risk
Customer-focused mindset with experience interacting directly with automotive coatings business
Proficiency with project management tools and reporting systems (MS Project, KETO)
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end project management for regional OEM projects from initiation through completion and post‑implementation support
Develop and maintain detailed project plans, milestones, budgets, and resource allocations
Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, and success criteria in alignment with OEM stakeholder requirements
Ensure adherence to approved project governance, stage-gate processes, and change management protocols
Ensure all projects are planned and executed in compliance with company safety standards and regulations, proactively identifying and mitigating safety risks.
Ensure project deliverables meet defined quality standards, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
Act as the primary point of contact for stakeholders within the region
Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with stakeholders, site managers, and project engineers
Lead project meetings, project reviews, milestone updates, and escalation discussions
Translate requirements into clear internal deliverables and ensure alignment across teams
Coordinate cross-functional teams including Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Sales, and Finance
Facilitate collaboration to resolve technical, schedule, or resource constraints
Ensure alignment of internal priorities with regional commitments and business objectives
Monitor project schedules, costs, and performance using appropriate project management tools
Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks and issues proactively
Lead corrective action planning when projects deviate from plan
Escalate risks and issues appropriately with recommended mitigation strategies
Manage multiple projects simultaneously across the region
Provide consolidated project status, performance metrics, and forecasts to regional and global leadership
Support regional capacity planning and prioritization efforts