Sr. Program Manager

Cooper Standard•Northville, MI

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is responsible for the overall management of assigned customer product development programs. The Senior Program Manager interfaces with internal and customer management at all levels on planning, scheduling, organizing, directing, and controlling programs. The role leads the Program Team in meeting timing, quality, financial, and product requirements for Cooper Standard and customer systems and processes. The position works across a highly matrixed organization to coordinate program activities from quotation through launch, support production preparation, manage program documentation and finances, and anticipate and mitigate risks. The role may occasionally include duties beyond those specified in the job description.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
At least eight years of experience in the automotive industry or a closely related industry.
Experience in at least three cross-functional areas, such as Quality, Engineering, Operations, Purchasing, or Sales.
Experience managing a program from quote through launch.
Project leadership experience in a matrix organization.
Excellent planning, collaboration, and facilitation skills, including the ability to coordinate and leverage capabilities across a highly matrixed organization and influence peers.
Ability to synthesize information from multiple sources, draw conclusions, and help others clarify and structure perspectives into actionable conclusions.
Proficiency in MS Office and other systems supporting program management.
Data-driven problem-solving skills and understanding of problem-solving tools and key performance indicators or metrics.
Understanding of project accounting financials and detailed cost management, with an interest in developing expertise in program financials.
Willingness and ability to travel as necessary.

Nice To Haves

MBA, MS, MA, or PMP certification.
Experience with a tier one supplier.
Experience including at least two programs during product launch.
Previous managerial experience.
Experience with global programs or international work.

Responsibilities

Lead the program team and take responsibility for program success by holding the team accountable, ensuring appropriate staffing, maintaining morale, resolving conflicts, and escalating issues when needed.
Manage and maintain program documentation and processes, including customer statements of work, Open Issues Lists, timelines, Monthly Project Reports, and CLauS.
Establish program timelines with internal and external targets, objectives, and deliverables in collaboration with management, customers, and the Program Team.
Support the Manufacturing Team with production builds, team meetings, plant-based customer reviews, and critical production preparation activities.
Clarify roles and responsibilities so program team members can support launch efforts.
Achieve internal and external financial targets.
Ensure program deliverables are completed successfully and on time.
Use the CLauS scope-change document, provide written responses to scope-change requests, and prepare quotes addressing product, cost, and timing impacts to protect Cooper Standard’s position.
Apply risk management to anticipate and prevent problems, use sound judgment when escalating risks, and identify management tasks, deliverables, and support needed to mitigate future risk.
Ensure programs meet internal and external quality targets and adhere to customer quality systems and processes; launch products below targets for launch cost, scrap, and containment.
Travel to manufacturing facilities or customer locations when required.
Wear proper personal protective equipment while on the manufacturing floor and receive proper training on equipment-related injury risks and avoidance.