Program Manager

Tuopu Group is a global automotive manufacturer specializing in chassis systems, NVH components, and interior parts for major OEM and EV leaders. Tuopu USA supports North American operations with advanced manufacturing and warehousing.

The ideal candidate is comfortable outlining and planning all aspects of a project, including budget, timelines, and team coordination. They have strong communication skills and can work effectively across all relevant teams. This individual anticipates potential issues before they impact project completion and acts quickly to mitigate risk.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as the on-site engineering and quality representative for Tuopu customers. Understand customer technical requirements and expectations, negotiate compromises when needed, and ensure program deliverables and timelines are met for all internal and external stakeholders. Ensure prototypes and products launch on time and professionally.
• Organize the development of project plans and key milestones, require team members to complete corresponding sub-plans, and track implementation progress.
• Hold regular project meetings based on project schedule, attend client-side project meetings as required by customers, assess project progress and follow up on outstanding issues.
• Manage program communication and engagement with customers and internal teams throughout design development cycles and product launches. Ensure launch quality standards are met. Frequent travel to customer sites is required.
• Work with customer engineering staff to fully understand design requirements — including print GD&T, SOR/CTS, AAR, and ADVP&R testing requirements — and collaborate with the internal R&D team to develop timely technical solutions.
• Review documents submitted to customers for technical accuracy and completeness.
• Provide engineering support to the sales team; guide stakeholders on BOM and drawing/material requirements, and answer related engineering questions.
• Issue internal POs, manage prototype schedules internally, and communicate delivery timelines to customers.
• Support the Quality Department in understanding print and technical product requirements as needed.
• Apply problem-solving skills to drive robustness in product design and process improvements. Maintain gate control over performance and dimensional data collected during development and milestone builds, ensuring sufficient data to finalize production prints and launch a capable production process.
• Maintain strong professional relationships with customers, understanding their business needs and project requirements beyond engineering.
• Collaborate effectively as part of local and international teams.
• Complete other duties as reasonably requested by the direct manager or customers.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical or related field preferred)
• Familiar with IATF16949 quality management system and OEM component development process; capable of identifying customer-specific requirements.
• Proficient in common project management tools including 8D, Fishbone Diagram, 5WHY, Pareto Chart and Histogram.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite
• Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and critical-thinking skills
• Excellent organizational, presentation, and communication skills
• Strong team and group dynamic interpersonal skills
• Ability to build strong working relationships with customers and colleagues in China
• Proficient with CATIA/UG, MS Office, and AAR software
• Automotive OEM and supplier industry experience preferred
• Willingness to travel (30%)
• No employee sponsorship available

Preferred

• Familiar with APQP development process and application of the five core tools. Experience in automotive sealing strip R&D
• 3+ years of experience in project/program management and product development; experience with interior and exterior automotive components is a plus