Program Manager, OEM

Company Description:

Vitro Automotive Glass produces advanced glass products for the world’s most well-known automotive manufacturers.  We work collaboratively with our customers to ensure that our glass provides the safety, comfort, efficiency required for today’s modern vehicles.  

Vitro Automotive Glass operates glass manufacturing plants, fabrication facilities and distribution centers worldwide that are solely focused on the production of automotive glass. This scale allows us to provide the quality and technology required for large volume OEM production, while bringing that same attention to detail and quality to our automotive replacement glass (ARG) operations.  

As the needs of the automotive industry rapidly evolve, Vitro stays ahead of the curve to help automakers, distributors and installers meet the ever-changing standards for safety, efficiency and sustainability. It’s not enough just to meet specifications. We are committed to working collaboratively to deliver whatever comes next. 

Position Description:

Program Management is responsible for cross-functional management, coordination and delivery of all projects that are assigned to him/her on time and on budget at a level of quality that is acceptable to both Vitro and external customers.  The Program Manager uses the OEM Product Development & Launch Process and the systems described within that process.  

The Program Manager has primary responsibility to ensure successful OEM program launches and projects as assigned by the Director.  This includes meeting project timelines as specified at acceptable cost and quality to satisfy the needs of both Vitro management and the appropriate OEM customer.

The incumbent must have a four-year engineering degree or comparable program management experience with large OEM customers, with a minimum of three years lead experience on successful launches.

The incumbent must possess excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) as well as interpersonal skills of team participation, influencing others, negotiation skills, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills to keep projects moving forward.  Other critical skills include presentation skills, safety-orientation, customer service focus and being results-oriented.

The incumbent must be proficient in the Microsoft office suite of products:  EXCEL, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Project as well as have a strong understanding of APQP/TS systems.

Responsibilities:

• In this key, customer-facing role, serve as the point contact for interaction between Vitro and customer APQP systems.
• Provide Vitro with the Voice of the Customer while also promoting within the customer how Vitro will satisfy their requirements for a successful launch of their new products.
• Utilize both internal and external functions and resources to generate program deliverables.
• Communicate in weekly/monthly Standard Work with management as outlined in the OEM Product Development & Launch Process to advise launch status, mitigate risks and ensure successful launch
• Responsible for customer product development processes from prototype through program launches to ensure customer requirements are met in both service and quality.
• Ensures compliance to all APQP/TS16949 requirements for all programs under management
• On time gate review/approval, with program scorecard metrics in good standing
• Successful transfer of program accountability to the responsible manufacturing facility at the final gate review of the launch process.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related discipline, or comparable program management experience with large OEM customers is required.
• A minimum of 3 years of lead experience on successful launches is required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to summarize and communicate results clearly.  Customer-facing skill to accurately describe risks and related actions.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead teams, influence others, negotiation skills, conflict resolution skills and problem solving skills are needed to keep projects moving forward.
• Strong analytical skills in the use of analytical software such as Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office suite of products are required.
• Ability to work without close supervision.
• Strong presentation skills, safety orientation, customer service, and a results-oriented focus are required skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite of products, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Project.
• Strong understanding of APQP/TS systems