Program Manager

AUTOKINITON delivers operational excellence, high-quality execution, and customer service. We offer 100% vertical integration capabilities such as end-to-end engineering, manufacturing, and in-house logistics.

We’re proud of our Tier 1 supplier legacy for manufacturing propulsion-agnostic, structural automotive components, and assemblies around the globe.

Support the successful launch of new business by ensuring compliance with the AUTOKINITON Launch Process (ALP), customer requirements, and program timing expectations.

• Coordinate the resolution of open program issues, ensuring timely responses, containment actions, and follow-up activities.
• Facilitate ALP Gate Reviews and provide program updates to leadership teams.
• Identify and support cost-saving opportunities throughout the program lifecycle while maintaining quality and timing objectives.
• Lead regular program review meetings to track timing, engineering changes, bill of material (BOM) development, and critical-path activities.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Purchasing, and Commercial teams to ensure program requirements are understood and executed effectively.
• Monitor program financial performance, including budget adherence, tooling expenditures, and customer milestone achievement.
• Utilize ALP, Campfire, and other program management systems to maintain accurate program documentation and status reporting.
• Support continuous improvement efforts by documenting and sharing lessons learned to improve future program execution.
• Coordinate engineering change activities to ensure customer requirements are communicated, implemented on schedule, and managed within budget.
• Track and drive completion of APQP deliverables, PPAP submissions, and tooling payment milestones to support successful program launches.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to ensure effective communication and program execution.
• Support departmental and organizational initiatives that promote operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

This salary role is a part of our Corporate Program Management team and reports to the Director, Program Management.

Required experience:

· Bachelor's degree (B. A.) in Engineering or a related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

· Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in automotive manufacturing, including stamping, metal forming, assemblies, tooling, or manufacturing processes.

· Minimum three (3) years of program management, project management or launch management in an automotive manufacturing environment.

· Experience supporting or leading new product launches from award through production.

· Experience working with OEM customers and cross-functional teams preferred.

· Strong understanding of program budgeting, cost management, and financial tracking.

· Comprehensive knowledge of automotive build and launch processes, with the ability to develop, implement, and maintain standardized procedures.

· Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, engineering change management and launch executive requirements.

· Travel to manufacturing facilities during key project and launch phases to support timely communication, coordinate activities, and facilitate the prompt resolution of issues.

· Understanding of GD&T, product design, and manufacturing principles.

· Excellent organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

· Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

· Proven ability to lead cross functional teams and build effective working relationships at all levels of the organization.

· Customer-focused mindset with strong issue resolution and conflict management skills.

· Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

· Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.

· Effective electronic communication and presentation skills.

Preferred Skills

· Familiarity with automotive program management systems and databases.

· Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies and cost-reduction initiatives.

· Understanding of automotive measurement and inspection methods.