Manager of Program Management

at  RECARO AUTOMOTIVE NORTH AMERICA INC

Job Description: Manager of Program Management - RECARO Automotive
RECARO Automotive is a global leader in performance and comfort automotive seating. With 425 employees operating in 3 manufacturing/assembly plants in 3 countries worldwide, we produce and deliver automotive seating for aftermarket, racing, ergonomic, commercial, and all major OEMs. From complete seating systems to individual components, our expertise spans every step of the automotive seat-making process. Our integrated, in-house skills allow us to take our products from research and design all the way to engineering and manufacturing. To learn more, please visit recaro-automotive.com.
Overview: The Manager of Program Management leads, manages, and strategically directs the project management department activities. The project management team manages changes in product (new introduction or continual improvement of existing), process (innovations, business applications) and strategic initiatives (localization, vertical integration, supply partnerships, new markets).
The target candidate is knowledgeable about seat engineering and the seating industry. Ensures internal and external customer satisfaction. Flexible to accommodate global meetings coordinating between Michigan, Germany, China, and Japan. Proven experience working on global teams driving program direction and execution. Applies product and business knowledge with financial acumen to advance the organization’s goals for all the three product groups of Aftermarket, Commercial Vehicle and Automotive OEMs.
As a RECARO Automotive team member you are an intelligent, tech-savvy professional with a passion for helping drive the future of RECARO Automotive. Come be part of a defining team that will help RECARO Automotive thrive and help you realize a great, prosperous future.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in project management, program management, product development, engineering, business, or science.
• 10+ years of program management experience that includes end-to-end, initiation-to-service delivery.
• Ability to attract, retain, and motivate best in class talent.
• Strong communication skills, at all levels of the organization and to external business partners.
• Business and financial acumen to build profitable product lines.
• Strong customer orientation as a trusted, collaborative and productive partner.
• Experience working in a matrix, global, cross-functional organization by collaboration with key stakeholders in sales, product operations, marketing and engineering.
• Proven leadership skills in managing cross-functional teams to meet established targets.
• Demonstrated track record of strong teamwork
• Ability to clearly communicate with all levels within the organization.
• Ability to communicate, develop relationships with others while influencing and removing blockers.
• Results and detail-oriented: holds self and others accountable for commitments.
• Knowledge of manufacturing and assembly plant processes, procedures, facilities, and equipment.
• Expertise in problem-solving techniques and root cause analysis for continual improvement perspective.
• Proficient in MS-Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project), Project Tracking Systems (Monday.com), and ERP systems (PLEX).
• Understanding of seating design, engineering, manufacturing, and best practices.
• Highly quantitative. Enjoy analyzing data. Experience setting metrics and iterating based on data.
• Exhibits knowledge in developing business cases, costed BOMs, and managing program financials with a focus on optimizing profit.
• Travel up to 10-20%

• Provide leadership and supervision to a team of project managers and coordinators.
• Focus on building and retaining the team through recruitment, training, and mentoring.
• Act as an ambassador for the company as you interact with our customers and provide excellent project delivery services.
• Facilitate the creation of a robust project statement of work and associated business case.
• Drive the team to improve the project schedule, profitability, and quality metrics.
• Resolve project conflicts and establish the escalation path for all projects.
• Facilitates and leads the project team through regular core team meetings (weekly) where the Issues List is tracked.
• Attends project status to Gate Reviews, monthly Program Reviews, and in other project reviews to ensure seamless launch is achieved.
• Champion execution of the overall R-PROMS (RECARO Program Management System) process.
• Support maintaining IATF16949:2016 and ISO14001:2015 accreditation.
• Create and revise R-BOS documents to support the responsibilities of the department.
• Report department KPI’s and their related corrective/preventive actions to leadership. Execute department performance by having YOY improvements on KPIs.