Program Manager

A global Tier 1 system supplier in Automotive is expanding and hiring for a Program Manager.

Overview:

• The Program Manager is responsible for leading the program in all aspects, from program award (or "Request For Quotation Approval" [RFQA] in some cases) until 6 months after Start of Production.
• He/she is the guarantor of customer satisfaction in conjunction with the achievement of program Quality, Cost and Delivery objectives, while ensuring profitability throughout the entire program lifecycle.

Responsibilities:

• From program award until handover to production site, the program manager has the overall responsibility of the program in all aspects:

• Lead program team as functional manager, with an entrepreneurial mindset,
• Achieve program targets through development & deployment of program  roadmaps and cascade program objectives and assignments to team members
• Ensure customer satisfaction (timing, quality, costs, product performance…)
• Plan and execute all activities which contribute to program success
• Ensure compliance code of ethics and code of management and escalate non-compliance items according to guidelines
• Build and monitor Master Schedule
• Meet financial targets (Operating Income, cash, Internal Rate of Return, Upfronts…)
• Liaise with Program Controller, build the initial Business Plan, define the Program investment scheme, and release investments in compliance with controlling procedures; take economical responsibility for all deviations from initial requirements.
• Use Business Plan to monitor permanently convergence to financial expectations
• Manage the core team (project basis) and ensure cooperation with the functions and the plant(s),
• Identify risks and opportunities. Ensure risk management and alert process.
• Arbitrate top issues internally or externally within the program,
• Act as primary PoC towards the customer to support its expectations while preserving company from risk exposure (like Engineering Change, planning…)
• Support or take the lead of commercial negotiations for contract evolutions
• Communicate and report relevant program status to secure proper management support on program issues

• Minimum Education Level: Bachelor's degree, ideally in engineering
• Minimum 7 years of job experience (in an automotive environment and/or with electronics product experience a plus)
• Experience of full cycle project / program management experience
• Background and experience in sales, engineering, manufacturing operation and, production working with plant manager are welcome to challenge. 
• Conflict management skills : ability to prevent and solve conflicts
• Ability to work in a matrixed organisation
• Good knowledge of Program Management System-Process
• Good knowledge of Program standards, tools and methods
• Fluent in Japanese and English 
• Ability to establish, develop, lead and unite a team on a project basis
• Strong financial knowledge (incl. building and following a Business Plan)
• Problem solving techniques
• Planning and organizing abilities
• Familiar with APQP process and ability for risk management, cost control and quality control.
• Familiar with development and manufacturing process in Electronics