Who We Want:

The Executive Director of Program Management is required to take on a crucial leadership role. This individual will ensure that new model program management and APQP teams receive the necessary support, education, and guidance to meet or exceed customer deliverables for all supported customers. The person in this role will be responsible for the success of all aspects of the group’s launch process, ensuring that CMC’s internal and external customer requirements are met on time and within budget

What You’ll Do:

• Responsible for successful development, preparation, trial support, and launch of all new programs at Challenge.
• Regular reporting of program status to the executive team. Including timing, quality, and cost KPI’s.
• Provide project leadership and drive all aspects of program launch, help remove barriers to success.
• Continue to develop documented work instructions and planning processes for program management and PPAP processes with team per existing RASIC
• Develop/maintain effective KPI’s with the entire program team to track teams launch status and performance.
• Monitor program spending, budgets, and launch costs with Account Management
• Evaluate & balance workload of Management and APQP teams to make sure manpower needs are sufficient for business in process.
• Collaborate with leaders of cross functional teams within Challenge as required to bring product design to production.
• Mentor and/or supervise Project Coordinators, Program Managers, Quality Engineers at all Challenge locations (HQ and satellite locations).
• Manage large scale projects in support of the department needs.
• Provide on site management and direction as needed in preparation of build events, run at rates, and program launches.
• Support program team interacting with customers to resolve high level customer concerns and critical items as needed.
• Make sure standards and deliverables are being met/followed.
• Validate and manage scope change activity, EC’s, from cost and timing.
• Validate and approve purchase requisitions as needed to support prelaunch activity and spending
• Minimize project risk and escalate issues or delays to necessary Management appropriately.
• Support/track production location industrialization efforts leading to SOP
• Facilitates lessons-learned session at the conclusion of the launch as part of continuous improvement.

When and Where:

This position will sit at our Walker location in Michigan. Normal salary hours (8:00am – 5:00pm) are standard, additional hours and/or travel as needed to support programs and/or customers.  

What You Need to Have:

• Bachelor’s Degree required, a degree in Mechanical, Electrical/Controls, Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering is preferred
• Minimum of ten years’ experience in the automotive industry, preferably in stamping, welding, or assembly operations.
• Minimum of ten years of experience as a program manager or equivalent
• Minimum of five years of experience leading and mentoring a team
• A proven track record of successfully launching large scale program on time and under budget
• Extensive experience with APQP, PAPP, PFMEA, Control Plans and GD&T.
• Experience with launching programs for multiple OEMs as a tier 1
• Experience with Microsoft Office and Project required
• Has high standards of performance for self
• Takes responsibility for actions, results, and mistakes
• Is thorough, accurate, and reliable when performing and completing job tasks; demonstrates honesty and integrity in all aspects of work
• Takes positive action to objectively resolve conflict by listening, staying focused on issue to find resolution, and monitoring progress
• Maintains positive relationships by constructively resolving conflicts
• Uses feedback from others to continuously improve performance and work relationships
• Moves within own and/or other work areas (flexes) to support plant flow
• Works with sense of urgency to meet needs of customers
• Has necessary experience, skills, and knowledge to perform all aspects of job; rotates through all job responsibilities
• Maintains knowledge and skills to perform job effectively
• Has ability to focus on benefits of change and see it as positive; approaches change or newness in constructive/objective manner; views change as learning opportunity
• Looks for good in others; works collaboratively with others; shares information and knowledge.
• Is at work when scheduled and ensures coverage when absent; takes timely breaks/lunches; uses time wisely
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes including machining, welding, fabrication, and assembly
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, Project, and PowerPoint required
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Coordination and planning skills (Project Management)
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills are required