{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"3203fb8c00b95bc409fcc03f","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/3203fb8c00b95bc409fcc03f","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/3203fb8c00b95bc409fcc03f","title":"Program/ Launch Manager","description":"Purpose\n\nThe Program Manager – Automotive Seating is responsible for leading and coordinating all activities related to new product launches, engineering changes, customer programs, and continuous improvement initiatives for automotive seating systems. This role serves as the main point of contact between the customer, internal cross-functional teams, suppliers, and manufacturing operations to ensure successful program execution in terms of timing, cost, quality, delivery, and customer satisfaction.\n\nThe Program Manager will manage programs from award through launch, production ramp-up, and ongoing change management, ensuring compliance with customer requirements, APQP standards, IATF 16949 expectations, and company profitability targets.\n\nEssential Duties and Responsibilities\n\nReasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.\n\nLead automotive seating programs from nomination/award through launch, SOP, ramp-up, and production stabilization.\nServe as the primary customer interface for program status, timing, risks, open issues, engineering changes, and launch readiness.\nDevelop and maintain program timelines, milestone trackers, open issues lists, escalation plans, and launch readiness reports.\nCoordinate cross-functional activities with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Materials, Purchasing, Finance, Tooling, Maintenance, Launch, and Operations teams.\nDrive APQP deliverables, including timing plans, design reviews, process flow, PFMEA, control plans, MSA, capability studies, PPAP, run-at-rate, and customer approval requirements.\nManage program budget, tooling costs, engineering expenses, capital requirements, and financial performance against approved business case.\nMonitor and control program profitability, including cost changes, customer recoveries, supplier costs, labor assumptions, scrap, rework, and launch expenses.\nLead regular internal and customer program reviews to communicate status, risks, actions, and recovery plans.\nEnsure customer requirements are clearly understood, communicated, and implemented throughout the organization.\nManage engineering changes, customer change requests, ECR/ECN activities, timing impacts, cost impacts, and implementation plans.\nSupport seating system manufacturing processes, including frame assembly, welding, foam, trim, plastics, mechanisms, headrests, armrests, complete seat assembly, and JIT/JIS sequencing where applicable.\nCoordinate tooling, fixtures, gauges, poka-yoke devices, packaging, line layout, and manufacturing readiness for new or modified programs.\nIdentify launch risks and drive corrective actions before they impact quality, delivery, or customer satisfaction.\nSupport problem-solving activities using 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, Red X, Lessons Learned, and other structured methods.\nEnsure compliance with IATF 16949, customer-specific requirements, safety standards, and internal program management procedures.\nManage supplier readiness for program components, including timing, PPAP status, capacity, quality risks, and delivery performance.\nSupport capacity planning, manpower planning, line balancing, and production ramp-up activities.\nTrack program KPIs including launch timing, APQP completion, PPAP status, budget performance, tooling readiness, open issues, customer scorecards, quality performance, and delivery readiness.\nEscalate risks and roadblocks to leadership with clear data, recovery plans, owners, and due dates.\nMaintain accurate documentation for audits, customer reviews, gate reviews, and internal management reviews.\nCapture and apply lessons learned from previous launches to improve future program execution.\n\nQualifications\n\nRequired Education & Experience\n\nBachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field.\n5+ years of experience in automotive program management, launch management, engineering, manufacturing, or quality.\nExperience with automotive seating systems, seat structures, mechanisms, trim, foam, plastics, welding, assembly, or JIT/JIS operations preferred.\nStrong knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plan, MSA, SPC, Run-at-Rate, and customer launch requirements.\nExperience working with OEMs or Tier 1 automotive customers.\nUnderstanding of IATF 16949 and automotive customer-specific requirements.\nStrong project management skills, including timing, budget, risk management, and cross-functional coordination.\nAbility to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.\nStrong communication, negotiation, escalation, and problem-solving skills.\nProficiency with Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint, ERP/MRP systems, and program tracking tools.\n\nCompetencies\n\nAbility to prioritize projects, resolve problems, conduct research, and pay attention to details.\nExcellent computer skills.\nEnglish and Business writing skills\nMS Word, MS Excel, and MS Outlook\nProficient in advanced word processing, desktop publishing, and database management.\nStrong verbal and written communication skills.\nBusiness communication, transcription, proofreading, and accounting principles.\nAbility to communicate with all levels of employees, vendors, and customers.\n\nPreferred Qualifications\n\nExperience with seating customers such as GM, Ford, Stellantis, Toyota, Honda, Tesla, Rivian, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or similar OEMs.\nPMP certification or formal project management training.\nExperience with launch gate reviews, customer audits, safe launch, GP-12, run-at-rate, or production readiness reviews.\nKnowledge of seating validation, safety requirements, FMVSS, comfort, ergonomics, and durability requirements.\nExperience managing tooling suppliers, automation suppliers, and component suppliers.\nExperience in welding, robotic assembly, recliners, adjusters, seat frames, tracks, latches, trim covers, foam, and complete seat assembly.\n\nKey Competencies\n\nCustomer-focused leadership\nStrong ownership and accountability\nLaunch discipline and urgency\nCross-functional leadership\nFinancial and business acumen\nTechnical understanding of manufacturing processes\nRisk identification and escalation\nData-driven decision making\nStrong communication at all organizational levels\nProblem-solving and continuous improvement mindset\n\nPerformance Metrics\n\nOn-time program launch\nAPQP and PPAP completion on schedule\nProgram budget performance\nTooling and equipment readiness\nCustomer satisfaction and scorecard performance\nLaunch quality performance\nScrap and rework reduction\nOpen issue closure rate\nSupplier readiness and PPAP completion\nSuccessful run-at-rate and production ramp-up\nCompliance with IATF and customer-specific requirements\n\nSupervisory Responsibility\n\nHas no supervisory responsibilities\n\nWork Environment\n\nThis role requires regular interaction with manufacturing operations, engineering teams, suppliers, and customers. The Program Manager may be required to spend time on the production floor, attend customer meetings, support launch activities outside normal business hours, and travel as needed to customer, supplier, or company locations.\n\nPhysical Demands\n\nAbility to walk and stand on the manufacturing floor as required.\nAbility to review production lines, tooling, fixtures, and equipment.\nAbility to travel as required for customer and supplier support.\n\nWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to walk, stand, talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift or move office products and supplies, up to 30 pounds or 15 kilograms.","company":"Camaco","rawCompany":"camaco","city":"Columbus","state":"NE","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-10-28T10:00:13.655Z","occupations":[{"code":"13-1082.00","title":"Project Management Specialists","slug":"project-management-specialists"},{"code":"11-3051.00","title":"Industrial Production Managers","slug":"industrial-production-managers"},{"code":"11-9041.00","title":"Architectural and Engineering Managers","slug":"architectural-and-engineering-managers"}],"industries":[{"code":"336390","title":"Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing","slug":"other-motor-vehicle-parts-manufacturing"},{"code":"336110","title":"Automobile and Light Duty Motor Vehicle Manufacturing","slug":"automobile-and-light-duty-motor-vehicle-manufacturing"},{"code":"336360","title":"Motor Vehicle Seating and Interior Trim Manufacturing","slug":"motor-vehicle-seating-and-interior-trim-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Program/ Launch Manager","description":"Purpose\n\nThe Program Manager – Automotive Seating is responsible for leading and coordinating all activities related to new product launches, engineering changes, customer programs, and continuous improvement initiatives for automotive seating systems. This role serves as the main point of contact between the customer, internal cross-functional teams, suppliers, and manufacturing operations to ensure successful program execution in terms of timing, cost, quality, delivery, and customer satisfaction.\n\nThe Program Manager will manage programs from award through launch, production ramp-up, and ongoing change management, ensuring compliance with customer requirements, APQP standards, IATF 16949 expectations, and company profitability targets.\n\nEssential Duties and Responsibilities\n\nReasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.\n\nLead automotive seating programs from nomination/award through launch, SOP, ramp-up, and production stabilization.\nServe as the primary customer interface for program status, timing, risks, open issues, engineering changes, and launch readiness.\nDevelop and maintain program timelines, milestone trackers, open issues lists, escalation plans, and launch readiness reports.\nCoordinate cross-functional activities with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Materials, Purchasing, Finance, Tooling, Maintenance, Launch, and Operations teams.\nDrive APQP deliverables, including timing plans, design reviews, process flow, PFMEA, control plans, MSA, capability studies, PPAP, run-at-rate, and customer approval requirements.\nManage program budget, tooling costs, engineering expenses, capital requirements, and financial performance against approved business case.\nMonitor and control program profitability, including cost changes, customer recoveries, supplier costs, labor assumptions, scrap, rework, and launch expenses.\nLead regular internal and customer program reviews to communicate status, risks, actions, and recovery plans.\nEnsure customer requirements are clearly understood, communicated, and implemented throughout the organization.\nManage engineering changes, customer change requests, ECR/ECN activities, timing impacts, cost impacts, and implementation plans.\nSupport seating system manufacturing processes, including frame assembly, welding, foam, trim, plastics, mechanisms, headrests, armrests, complete seat assembly, and JIT/JIS sequencing where applicable.\nCoordinate tooling, fixtures, gauges, poka-yoke devices, packaging, line layout, and manufacturing readiness for new or modified programs.\nIdentify launch risks and drive corrective actions before they impact quality, delivery, or customer satisfaction.\nSupport problem-solving activities using 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, Red X, Lessons Learned, and other structured methods.\nEnsure compliance with IATF 16949, customer-specific requirements, safety standards, and internal program management procedures.\nManage supplier readiness for program components, including timing, PPAP status, capacity, quality risks, and delivery performance.\nSupport capacity planning, manpower planning, line balancing, and production ramp-up activities.\nTrack program KPIs including launch timing, APQP completion, PPAP status, budget performance, tooling readiness, open issues, customer scorecards, quality performance, and delivery readiness.\nEscalate risks and roadblocks to leadership with clear data, recovery plans, owners, and due dates.\nMaintain accurate documentation for audits, customer reviews, gate reviews, and internal management reviews.\nCapture and apply lessons learned from previous launches to improve future program execution.\n\nQualifications\n\nRequired Education & Experience\n\nBachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field.\n5+ years of experience in automotive program management, launch management, engineering, manufacturing, or quality.\nExperience with automotive seating systems, seat structures, mechanisms, trim, foam, plastics, welding, assembly, or JIT/JIS operations preferred.\nStrong knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plan, MSA, SPC, Run-at-Rate, and customer launch requirements.\nExperience working with OEMs or Tier 1 automotive customers.\nUnderstanding of IATF 16949 and automotive customer-specific requirements.\nStrong project management skills, including timing, budget, risk management, and cross-functional coordination.\nAbility to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.\nStrong communication, negotiation, escalation, and problem-solving skills.\nProficiency with Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint, ERP/MRP systems, and program tracking tools.\n\nCompetencies\n\nAbility to prioritize projects, resolve problems, conduct research, and pay attention to details.\nExcellent computer skills.\nEnglish and Business writing skills\nMS Word, MS Excel, and MS Outlook\nProficient in advanced word processing, desktop publishing, and database management.\nStrong verbal and written communication skills.\nBusiness communication, transcription, proofreading, and accounting principles.\nAbility to communicate with all levels of employees, vendors, and customers.\n\nPreferred Qualifications\n\nExperience with seating customers such as GM, Ford, Stellantis, Toyota, Honda, Tesla, Rivian, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or similar OEMs.\nPMP certification or formal project management training.\nExperience with launch gate reviews, customer audits, safe launch, GP-12, run-at-rate, or production readiness reviews.\nKnowledge of seating validation, safety requirements, FMVSS, comfort, ergonomics, and durability requirements.\nExperience managing tooling suppliers, automation suppliers, and component suppliers.\nExperience in welding, robotic assembly, recliners, adjusters, seat frames, tracks, latches, trim covers, foam, and complete seat assembly.\n\nKey Competencies\n\nCustomer-focused leadership\nStrong ownership and accountability\nLaunch discipline and urgency\nCross-functional leadership\nFinancial and business acumen\nTechnical understanding of manufacturing processes\nRisk identification and escalation\nData-driven decision making\nStrong communication at all organizational levels\nProblem-solving and continuous improvement mindset\n\nPerformance Metrics\n\nOn-time program launch\nAPQP and PPAP completion on schedule\nProgram budget performance\nTooling and equipment readiness\nCustomer satisfaction and scorecard performance\nLaunch quality performance\nScrap and rework reduction\nOpen issue closure rate\nSupplier readiness and PPAP completion\nSuccessful run-at-rate and production ramp-up\nCompliance with IATF and customer-specific requirements\n\nSupervisory Responsibility\n\nHas no supervisory responsibilities\n\nWork Environment\n\nThis role requires regular interaction with manufacturing operations, engineering teams, suppliers, and customers. The Program Manager may be required to spend time on the production floor, attend customer meetings, support launch activities outside normal business hours, and travel as needed to customer, supplier, or company locations.\n\nPhysical Demands\n\nAbility to walk and stand on the manufacturing floor as required.\nAbility to review production lines, tooling, fixtures, and equipment.\nAbility to travel as required for customer and supplier support.\n\nWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to walk, stand, talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift or move office products and supplies, up to 30 pounds or 15 kilograms.","datePosted":"2026-10-28T10:00:13.655Z","dateModified":"2026-10-28T10:00:13.655Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Camaco","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Columbus","addressRegion":"NE","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"3203fb8c00b95bc409fcc03f"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/3203fb8c00b95bc409fcc03f"}}