Program Manager
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Summary
Leads BWI Group's automotive brake and suspension customer programs from quote through launch and stable production, owning timing, cost, quality and deliverables while serving as the primary customer contact. Day to day involves APQP gate management, budget tracking, cross-functional coordination, PPAP/launch execution and program reviews.
Position Summary
The Program Manager leads assigned customer programs for BWI's Suspension or Brakes product lines from quote and award through launch and into stable production. Serving as the primary point of contact between the customer and BWI's cross-functional team, the Program Manager owns program timing, cost, quality and deliverables, and coordinates engineering, quality, manufacturing, purchasing, logistics, finance and sales to deliver programs on time, on budget and in full compliance with APQP and customer requirements.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead assigned programs through all APQP phases, from RFQ and program award through prototype, validation, PPAP, launch and run-at-rate, ensuring each gate's deliverables are met.
- Serve as the primary customer interface for program status, timing, engineering changes, quality concerns and commercial issues.
- Develop and maintain the master program timing plan; track milestones, identify risks early and drive recovery plans when programs fall behind.
- Lead regular cross-functional program team meetings and hold team members accountable for open actions and deliverables.
- Manage program budgets, including capital, tooling, prototype and engineering spend; track actuals against plan and report variances.
- Support new business quoting with Sales and Estimating, including RFQ responses, cost inputs, timing proposals and business case reviews.
- Manage the engineering change process: evaluate cost, timing and quality impacts, obtain customer approvals and secure commercial recovery where applicable.
- Coordinate prototype builds, design validation and production validation testing, and PPAP submissions with Engineering and Quality.
- Partner with Purchasing and Supplier Quality to ensure supplier tooling, timing and PPAP readiness support program milestones.
- Prepare and present program reviews for BWI leadership and customers, covering status, risks, financials and key performance indicators.
- Ensure program documentation and processes comply with IATF 16949 and customer-specific requirements.
- Support production launch at manufacturing sites, manage the handoff to plant operations, and capture lessons learned for future programs.
- Collaborate with global BWI engineering, manufacturing and program teams on shared or multi-region programs.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
- 5+ years of program management, project management or product engineering experience in the automotive industry, preferably with a Tier 1 supplier or OEM.
- Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP and IATF 16949 requirements.
- Proven ability to manage timing, budgets and multiple programs at the same time.
- Strong verbal, written and presentation skills, including direct customer-facing communication.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Project (or a similar scheduling tool) and Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.
Preferred
- Experience with brake systems (calipers, rotors, electronic or brake-by-wire systems) or suspension systems (dampers, struts, semi-active or air suspension).
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
- Experience working with North American and global OEM customers and their program management processes and portals.
- Master's degree or MBA.
- Experience working with international teams across multiple time zones.
- Familiarity with ERP and product lifecycle management (PLM) systems.
Key Competencies
- Program Leadership: Leads cross-functional teams without direct authority and keeps everyone aligned on shared goals.
- Customer Focus: Builds trusted relationships with customers and represents BWI professionally while protecting business interests.
- Planning and Organization: Breaks complex programs into clear plans, priorities and timelines and keeps them current.
- Problem Solving and Decision Making: Identifies issues early, analyzes root causes and makes sound, timely decisions.
- Communication: Communicates clearly and concisely with all levels of the organization, from the plant floor to executives.
- Financial Acumen: Understands program cost drivers and manages to budget and profitability targets.
- Accountability: Takes ownership of results and follows through on commitments.
Travel
Travel is needed based on project and product development demands, including technical exchanges, on-site work at customer sites, regional technical centers, supplier facilities and including occasional international travel.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
- Primarily an office environment, with regular time on the manufacturing floor, in test labs and at customer and supplier facilities.
- Must wear required personal protective equipment (such as safety glasses and safety shoes) in plant and lab areas.
- Extended periods of sitting and computer use.
- Occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds, such as prototype parts or samples.
- Ability to work extended or flexible hours as needed to support launches, customer deadlines and global teams.
Equal Employment Opportunity
BWI North America, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. BWI North America, Inc. provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the application process and in employment; applicants who require an accommodation should contact Human Resources.
This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties as business needs require. This document does not create an employment contract, express or implied, and employment with BWI North America, Inc. remains at will.