Program Manager - Supervisor

Job Description:

Position Summary:

The supervisor of multiple program managers, responsible for coaching and providing direction to program managers to ensure successful execution of program launches defined as achieving both internal and external commitments.  

The supervisor may also lead program(s) as a PM.

A leader who demonstrates and communicates the company’s vision, mission, and values to the program team.  

Supervisor Responsibilities:

• Supports the PM Manager for regional and corporate information to PMs (staff meetings)
• Insure consistent application of CLauS by reporting PMs
• Coach, train and support PMs as needed to ensure program success, 0-0-100-100-30 and leading indicator specific annual goals
• Support PM Manager in escalated cross functional issues
• Maintain PM morale
• Support other PM leads with interim temporary resources
• Personnel development and career path for PMs
• Support PMO with Continuous Improvement feedback and special project work as assigned
• Onboarding of new PMs

PM Responsibilities (included for reference as Supervisor may also manage programs):

• Primary conduit for internal and external communication to and from the Program Team

• Lead the team to achieve specific program goals for quality, timing, financial KPIs and product performance
• Guide the team to achieve VCM improvement targets
• Lead the team to achieve a balance of external customer satisfaction and CS objectives
• Cause cross functional interaction to achieve program goals
• Resolve cross functional conflict
• Facilitate the creation of an overall program schedule that achieves customer milestones but also protects CS financial interests; guide the team to maintain progress
• Maintain an orderly and efficient change management process for both internally and externally driven changes guiding the team to balance customer satisfaction and CS objectives
• Maintain team morale and espirit de corp
• Model CS Leadership Capability values and Code of Conduct
• Internal and external management status reporting including timing and financial status
• Lead the team in issue resolution applying discipline problem solving techniques
• Guide the team to identify and mitigate risks, including appropriate, concise, effective escalation as required

Standard - PM Responsibilities:

• Leads the program team and takes personal responsibility for the program’s success by holding the team accountable, ensuring appropriate staffing, maintaining the team morale by resolving conflicts between team members and elevates effectively when needed.
• Manage / maintain / Supports program documentation and processes including customer statement of work, Open Issues List, Timeline, Monthly Project Reports and CLauS.
• Establish program timeline with internal and external targets, objectives and deliverables that supports a successful launch by working with Management, Customers and Program Teams.
• Supports the Manufacturing Team in production builds, team meetings, plant based customer reviews and critical production preparation activities.
• Clarify roles and responsibilities to ensure program team members support launch efforts.
• Achieves all internal and external financial targets.
• Ensures successful on-time completion of program deliverables.
• Utilize CLauS scope change document including, written responses to scope change requests and quotes that include product, cost and timing impact to ensure Cooper Standard’s position is protected.
• Use a risk management approach to anticipate and prevent problems from occurring.  Apply sound judgment in elevating risks to management.   Identify management specific tasks, deliverables and support needed to mitigate future risk.
• Ensure program meets all internal and external quality targets while adhering to all customer quality systems and processes. Launch products below targets for launch cost, scrap and containment.
• May, on occasion, be required to perform duties other than those specified in this description.

 Education and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Business. MBA/MS/MA/PMP certification preferred.
• A minimum of seven years’ experience in the automotive industry or closely related industry. Preferable experience with a tier one supplier.
• Prior Experience as PM in addition to Experience in at least three cross functional areas (Quality, Engineering, Operations, Purchasing and/or Sales);
• Experience managing a program from quote through launch; additional consideration for global programs and/or international experience.
• Ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources to draw conclusions and ability to help others clarify and structure their perspective in a way that results in an actionable conclusion
• Leadership and Team management experience in a matrix organization.
• Excellent planning, collaboration, and facilitation skills, a must to coordinate and leverage capabilities across a highly matrixed organization involving multiple products, channels & functions. Ability to influence their peer group in that environment.
• Proficiency in MS Office and other systems supporting program management.
• High degree of Decision-making,Data-driven problem solving skills, with understanding of problem solving tools and key performance indicators / metrics. includingLogical - good critical thinking skills
• Mastery of at least one functional area (technical) required for this level of decision making.
• Ability to interface and communicate successfully at high level of customer organizations.
• Understanding of project accounting financials, detailed cost management, High degree of task and objective management
• Willingness and ability to travel, as necessary.

 Work Environment/Work Conditions:

• Professional Office Environment.
• Must wear proper personal protection equipment while on manufacturing floor.
• Travel to manufacturing facilities or customer locations when required.
• Equipment used requires proper training on the potential for and avoidance of injury.

Position Type:

Regular

Additional Locations: 

Additional Information:

Remote Status:

Hybrid