Overview

The Program Manager is a strategic thinker who will facilitate all program deliverables as defined in the Piston Gate Review process supporting APQP requirements from prototype thru SOP (Start of Production). Maintains/reports internal program health status. Acts as the single point of contact with the cross-functional Piston Launch Team for the dissemination of customer requirements as defined in the APQP process and Piston Gate Review process. Tracks status to customer deliverables via ratings defined in the Piston Gate Review and APQP process. Supports all customer required capacity planning activities. Supports Piston Account Management for communications with customer Purchasing. Supports Piston Plant Team on engineering change implementation. Supports Piston Packaging Team as required for customer and supplier packaging information. Must be able to interact with internal / external customers and suppliers, handle multiple tasks, with awareness of deadlines as well as identify processes needing improvement, and make recommendations.

Piston Automotive wasn’t just founded to make things. It was founded to make things better. And that begins with building better teams solely dedicated to achieving excellence at every level of execution through a combination of experience, expertise, and a deep seeded passion for what we do. Our assemblies consistently set the standard because our people consistently raise the bar.

Why Piston Automotive?

Competitive Wages, Paid Holidays & Vacation, Medical & Rx Plans, Dental & Vision Plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Life & Disability Coverage, 401K with Company Match, Tuition Reimbursement , Vehicle and Product Discounts

Responsibilities

• Functions as the single point of contact with the following customer functions (Product Engineering, Program Management, Launch Team, Plant Team, and Supplier Quality) from program kick-off through SOP. 
• Maintains and facilitates the internal and external program open issues lists documenting actions items and closure dates.
• Communicates all customer program changes via maintenance of the program timing plan.
• Manages successful execution of all prototype and preproduction build events.
• Supports all customer program meetings as required. 
• Supports Quality in the successful completion of internal PPAP Phases 0-3.
• Leads regular directed/non-directed supplier meetings thru SOP and supports post SOP.
• Organizes and tracks completion of assembly illustrations and / or drawings and functional testing specifications from the customer defining the assembly requirements.
• Supports Quality and MFG Engineering in completing the SCCAF (or equivalent) from the customer defining the SC/CC’s for the program.
• Maintains the Master BoM
• Leads successful completion of DV/PV testing (if required).
• Maintains certification in all customer specific systems and acts as internal Piston expert. 
• When role requires, assumes responsibilities of a Prototype Program Manager in which there are additional responsibilities for, but not limited to maintaining regular contact with the customer, suppliers and internal program support team as the primary contact for prototype builds. Supports all required customer shortage meetings, obtains final approval for delivery plans and approves all supplier delivery plans. Supports builds onsite as required to address build or delivery issues, engages suppliers and other program managers as necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, Engineering or a related field.
• A minimum of three to five (3-5) years of experience as a Program Manager or a related role.
• A minimum of three to five (3-5) years of Customer interface experience.
• A minimum of three to five (3-5) years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
• A minimum of three to five (3-5) years of experience completing APQP / PPAP’s.
• A minimum of three to five (3-5) years of experience managing launch programs.
• A minimum of three to five (3-5) years of experience working with cross-functional teams (i.e. Engineering, Quality, Account Management).
• A minimum of three to five (3-5) years of experience with MS Word, Excel, and Project at an intermediate level.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the automotive industry preferred. 
• Familiarity with OEM systems/processes.
• Covisint desired but not required.