Senior Program Manager - Supplier Industrialization & Launch

Brunswick Corporation•Fond du Lac, WI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Program Manager – Supplier Industrialization & Launch is a high-impact role within Mercury Marine’s global procurement organization, responsible for ensuring end-to-end supplier readiness across new product launches, supplier transition initiatives, and ongoing production. This role owns the execution required to ensure suppliers are fully prepared to meet Mercury’s quality, delivery, and cost expectations at launch and beyond. This individual serves as Mercury’s primary support at supplier locations, providing direct oversight of tooling, process readiness, and quality execution. The role is accountable for taking products from early readiness or deviation conditions through full PPAP approval and stable production, ensuring alignment between supplier processes and Mercury design intent. This position blends program management, supplier development, quality leadership, and procurement execution, with full ownership of supplier readiness from initial kickoff through launch and stabilization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, or related field, OR 20+ years equivalent experience
7+ years of experience in manufacturing, supplier quality, supplier development, procurement, or program management
Proven experience in: Supplier launches and/or industrialization, Tooling transfer or new tool startup, Driving resolution of quality gaps to achieve PPAP approval
Strong understanding of: APQP / PPAP processes, PFMEA, Control Plans, capability studies, Root cause problem solving (8D, A3, etc.)
Ability to interpret complex drawings, specifications, and GD&T
Excellent project management and cross-functional leadership skills

Nice To Haves

Experience with non-metallic manufacturing processes (SMC, composites, injection molding, Class A painting, bonding)
Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher)
CPSM, CPIM, or similar certification
Experience working through engineering-spec vs process capability tradeoffs

Responsibilities

Lead supplier readiness across: Supplier resourcing / transfer initiatives, New product launches, Ongoing production, as necessary
Ensure final state achieves: Stable, capable processes, Full dimensional and cosmetic compliance, Approved PPAP with long-term sustainability
Develop and manage integrated program timelines, ensuring alignment across Engineering, Procurement, Supplier Quality, and Operations
Ensure successful production ramp to required volumes without disruption
Lead post-launch stabilization until processes are fully controlled and sustainable
Drive urgency and execution discipline to meet launch timing and production requirements
Lead suppliers through APQP/PPAP processes to ensure full validation of product and process.
Drive development, completion, and in-person validation/approval of: PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flow Diagrams, Capability studies (Cp/Cpk), Dimensional and Class A cosmetic validation, Preventive maintenance plans
Coordinate run-at-rate events and production validation builds
Identify gaps and lead resolution between Mercury drawing & specification requirements and Supplier process capability.
Support design reviews and provide input on manufacturability and process capability
Ensure compliance with industry and regulatory standards for non-metallic components
Oversee end-to-end tooling transfer, refurbishments, and/or new tool industrialization
Support Procurement in new tooling and refurbishment cost assessments
Validate tooling condition, readiness, and refurbishment needs prior to production use
Ensure proper installation, commissioning, and qualification at receiving sites
Lead trial builds, capability validation, and ramp readiness activities
Coordinate resolution of tooling-related risks impacting quality, capacity, or timing
Maintain frequent on-site presence at supplier locations to directly observe and drive execution
Assess and develop supplier capabilities to support both new products and transferred work
Act as Mercury’s primary in-person representative, ensuring: Immediate issue identification and resolution, Adherence to defined processes and controls, Accountability to timing and quality expectations
Support: Build events, Containment activities, Supplier escalations
Ensure effective knowledge transfer from incumbent suppliers where applicable
Develop and implement supplier improvement plans to meet quality, delivery, and productivity targets.