Program Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Manager is ultimately responsible and accountable for the execution of all programs they are assigned to, and adherence to Tenneco program management processes. This role ensures flawless launch performance and meets all program targets including, but not limited to: 0-0-100-100-30 (0 recordable injuries; 0 customer quality rejections; 100% on time delivery to the customer; 100% of the CAR financial targets; measured during the first 30 calendar days after the customer’s Start of Production). 

PRIMARY RESPONSBILITIES

Project Integration Management – ensures problem identification and resolution for assigned programs.

• Ensures a high level of integration and collaboration with the plants and Launch Managers in their program as well as alignment with the program team members in Engineering, Sales, Finance, Quality and Purchasing.
• Ensures the effectiveness of their program team meetings and customer review meetings.
• Ensures effective communication with their program team. Acts as the central communication point for their programs.
• Manages the program team from Gate 1 (Stage 2) through Gate 7.
• Manages the quoting team during Gate 1.

Project Scope and Risk Management

• Ensures effective and timely scope management with emphasis on customer scope changes and executes the Scope Change process and approval.
• Ensures program trade off analysis – balancing cost, time, product, and resources.
• Identifies program risks early, develops and executes mitigation strategies and executes the Red Flag process.
• Escalates risk with mitigation strategies to the leadership team in a timely fashion.

Project Time and Resource Management

• Creates high quality timing plans that are developed with the program team with effective buy-in from all functional areas.
• Meets 0 days late for all Gates.
• Meets all customer MRDs on time with high quality products.

Project Cost and Financial Management

• Ensures that all program financial targets and budgets are met.
• Verifies that the CARs and Business Cases are reasonable and achievable.
• Ensures that effective and logical financial roadmaps executed.

Project Quality

• Ensures that quality objectives and roadmaps are developed and executed via their program teams.
• Ensures that all quality objectives for all programs are met.
• Project Procurement
• Ensures appropriate completion of Make versus Buy decisions.
• Ensures on time PPAP of purchased components.

Critical Competencies:

• Takes responsibility
• Tackles tough problems head on
• Communicates openly and directly
• Acknowledges and celebrates team accomplishments
• Promotes collaboration across organizational lines
• Involve people in discussions and considers all arguments
• Clearly articulates the reason(s) for chosen direction and gains support and commitment
• Facilitates the information flow both upstream and downstream
• Tailors message to audience
• Makes sure to give clear directions in case contradictory or vague information is distributed
• Assigns clear authority and accountability
• Directs change while maintaining operating effectiveness
• Monitors results
• Anticipates customer needs and takes action to meet them
• Continually reaches for ways to increase customer satisfaction
• Works effectively under stressful conditions.
• Modifies behavior and plans as necessary to attain goals.
• Adjusts to multiple and conflicting demands
• Forges strong relationships and establishes rapport
• Relates to others with diverse backgrounds in a friendly and respectful manner.
• Relates to others with diverse backgrounds in a friendly and respectful manner. 
• Clear and effective communication for complex information
• Promotes a free flow of information through organization
• Listens actively
• Tailors message to audience
• Processes all critical information to make a decision
• Makes timely decisions despite uncertainty
• Makes decisions that support the long term success of the business
• Establishes realistic budgets Uses financial and quantitative data effectively to manage program
• Overcomes challenges to make  business succeed
• Makes sacrifices necessary for success; conveys sense of urgency; displays enthusiasm for business; gets results
• Has a clear vision for the needs of the business within his/her field of operation 
• Identifies the departmental objectives on the basis of the company objectives by determining the customer needs and the company needs
• Gives input to define the company strategy from within his/her field of expertise
• Understands the organizations strengths and weaknesses 
• Has a good understanding of the market and the automotive industry

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Master’s degree in Administration preferred.
• PMP certification preferred.
• Minimum of six (6) years’ experience in the automotive industry and three (3) years in another functional group (i.e. Engineering, Operations, Finance, Quality, Sales or Purchasing).
• Experience in at least two (2) key functional areas: Program Management, Engineering, Quality, Finance, Operations, and Sales.
• Proven knowledge of program management methodology, tools, and techniques.
• Participation or leadership in a cross functional team.
• Ability to lead, motivate and drive a cross functional team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Execution and quality focus.
• Ability to travel.
• Fluent in Spanish and English.
• Knowledge of MS Office and MS Project.
• Strong project management experience