Senior Manager - Program Management

Johnson Electric•Mississauga, ON

1d•CA$150,000 - CA$175,000•Onsite

About The Position

Our next Senior Manager, Automotive Program Management will provide strategic leadership to a team of Program Managers responsible for driving automotive product development and successful program execution from RFQ through series production. This role serves as a key leader and customer interface, partnering closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Operations, and Sales to ensure the successful launch of new products while meeting customer expectations, business objectives, quality standards, and profitability targets.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related discipline required.
Minimum 5 years of experience leading and developing Program Managers or technical project team.
Strong communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.
Minimum 10 years of experience in automotive product design and development, including direct engagement with OEM customers.
Proven ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams and interface with key customer stakeholders, including Design Release Engineers (DREs), Supplier Quality Engineers (SQEs), Purchasing, and Manufacturing teams.
Ability to travel approximately 15%, including occasional international travel with the ability to travel between our Ancaster and Mississauga sites.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Electrical Engineering, Electrification, or Powertrain systems is preferred.
Experience working within global engineering organizations and familiarity with Asian business culture is preferred.
Solid understanding of IATF 16949 requirements and proficiency in APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, and GD&P
Working knowledge of Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo/Pro-E, or NX), validation testing, and manufacturing processes including casting, machining, and assembly.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage a portfolio of product development and launch programs aligned with business unit growth and product roadmap objectives.
Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, schedules, budgets, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
Ensure successful execution of program deliverables related to quality, cost, timing, customer satisfaction, and profitability.
Establish and monitor program plans, milestones, deliverables, risks, and critical path activities.
Lead cross-functional teams to identify, assess, and mitigate program risks while driving timely resolution of open issues.
Manage resource planning, workload balancing, and capability development within the Program Management team.
Serve as the primary customer interface for program execution, providing regular updates on project status, milestones, risks, corrective actions, and launch readiness.
Support business development activities, including RFQs, commercial reviews, business case development, and customer proposal submissions.
Drive alignment across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Finance to achieve program objectives and financial commitments.
Ensure development and maintenance of all program management documentation, including project schedules, risk registers, action item trackers, change management records, and phase-gate review materials.
Lead program reviews with executive leadership and support strategic decision-making through accurate reporting and performance metrics.
Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence within the Program Management organization.
Develop, implement, and standardize program management tools, processes, and best practices to improve organizational effectiveness.
Ensure team members receive appropriate training, mentoring, and professional development to support business needs and succession planning.