Senior Program Manager - Automotive

Senior Program Manager – Automotive
LOCATION: Plymouth, MI
DEPARTMENT: Program Management (#90)
REPORTS TO: Director of Program Management
DIRECT REPORTS: Program Managers (PM I, PM II, PM III), Associate PMs
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time / Exempt

POSITION OVERVIEW:

We are seeking an experienced Senior Program Manager – Automotive in Plymouth, MI, to lead automotive program management for complex prototype vehicle builds and low-to-mid volume manufacturing programs supporting major automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers. This leadership role owns end-to-end program execution, from project kickoff through tooling launch, prototype builds, and final component delivery.

Lead a team of Program Managers (PM I, PM II, PM III), manage executive customer relationships, and drive cross-functional leadership across Engineering, Materials Planning and Logistics (MP&L), Quality, and Operations. Deliver programs against cost, timing, quality, and gross margin targets.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Portfolio Leadership & Team Governance

• Supervise, coach, and mentor Program Managers (PM I, PM II, PM III) and coordinators; drive accountability for program milestones and customer deliverables.
• Balance team workload, manage program portfolios, and guide technical problem-solving and customer communication.
• Maintain executive reporting on master milestone schedules, program health metrics, and risk mitigation plans for internal and customer leadership.

Automotive Program Execution & Milestones

• Oversee automotive prototype and production launch programs for sheet metal, body-in-white (BIW), metal stampings, assemblies, and tooling commodities.
• Align program build milestones with OEM milestone gateways, including VP, TT, Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), launch events, and 30-week build schedules.
• Lead process planning, manufacturing feasibility reviews, tooling strategy, and plant readiness before project kickoff.

Supply Chain, Materials & MP&L Orchestration

• Direct MP&L and procurement teams on long-lead material strategy, special steel and alloy procurement, carryover production parts, and site delivery rates.
• Oversee supplier management, including supplier kickoff, purchase order execution, CAD product release, quality expectations, and timing compliance.
• Lead rapid containment actions and cross-functional 8D root-cause problem-solving to resolve technical issues and delivery bottlenecks.

Commercial Governance & Scope Management

• Manage commercial change control; evaluate Engineering Change Notices (ECNs), scope modifications, and cost and timing impacts.
• Track program financial health, gross margins, and tooling budget variances; secure prompt customer purchase order coverage for out-of-scope work.
• Serve as the primary executive contact for OEM vehicle engineering and purchasing teams, building long-term customer partnerships.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or Supply Chain, or equivalent hands-on manufacturing leadership experience.
• 7+ years of program management experience in automotive prototyping, metal stamping, fabrication, or body-in-white (BIW) manufacturing.
• 3+ years of direct people management or supervisory experience leading Program Managers (PM I, PM II, PM III) or technical project leaders.
• Demonstrated expertise in automotive OEM product development lifecycles, prototype build events, and milestone gateway reviews.
• Strong commercial acumen, budget management, and experience managing Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) and scope adjustments.
• Proficiency with enterprise resource planning (ERP), material requirements planning (MRP), and product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, plus advanced project scheduling software.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Hands-on experience with Ford Motor Company product development systems, including GPIRS, FEDE, and Teamcenter.
• Strong technical knowledge of prototype tooling, laser processing, stamping dies, and vehicle assembly processes.

Senior Program Manager – Automotive, automotive program management, prototype vehicle builds, low-to-mid volume manufacturing, automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, program execution, tooling launch, cross-functional leadership, Materials Planning and Logistics (MP&L), gross margin, program portfolios, risk mitigation, production launch, sheet metal, body-in-white (BIW), metal stampings, Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), process planning, manufacturing feasibility, plant readiness, supplier management, 8D root-cause problem-solving, commercial change control, Engineering Change Notices (ECNs), program management, automotive prototyping, metal stamping, fabrication, people management, product development lifecycles, budget management, enterprise resource planning (ERP), material requirements planning (MRP), product lifecycle management (PLM), project scheduling, Project Management Professional (PMP), GPIRS, FEDE, Teamcenter, prototype tooling, laser processing, stamping dies, vehicle assembly

Hiring Transparency & AI Disclosure Statement
In compliance with applicable Canadian employment regulations, we confirm that this job posting represents a current, active vacancy within our organization.
We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, rank, or make hiring decisions. All applications are reviewed and evaluated by human recruiters and hiring managers.
If our hiring practices change in the future to include AI-assisted tools, appropriate disclosure will be provided in accordance with applicable laws.