The Program Manager is responsible and accountable for the execution of programs in terms of customer and company satisfaction. These programs represent significant new business. This position is the main interface between all functions supporting product launch with great visibility inside and outside of the company.

The Program Manager plays a major role in problem identification and resolution during the program by highlighting potential areas of concern and promptly driving resolution of issues that affect program execution. Focus is on: translation of customer needs and requirements into detailed plans; execution of those plans; management of cross functional teams; program profitability; and development of customer relationships all through the TENPlus program management process.  The Program Manager may be required to manage more than one program simultaneously over a number of locations.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Planning, organization and target setting:
• Set up / maintains program structure (timing, team, budget), plans required resources
• Lead and communicate program targets to team members
• Through TENPlus, develops program plans including timing, work plans, program milestones, critical path, risk management, cost/benefit analysis, staffing, and budgets
• Plans team meeting schedules and timing for key meetings including technical and launch readiness reviews
• Agrees and cascades targets (Tenneco / customer targets)
• Has input to team members’ annual performance evaluation

 Controlling / Managing / Problem Solving

• Systematically manages program risks
• Solves conflicts at his level and within the team
• Escalates issues to management that cannot be solved within team
• Assigns necessary tasks and co-ordinates the different functions within the projects (Manufacturing., Purchasing, Engineering, Finance, OE Account management …)
• Meets customer targets (Quality & cost targets, technical & program objectives, specifications, development budget, timing/milestones, PPAP,)
• Meets internal targets (Profitability & cost targets, program budget, quality & technical requirements, capital & tooling budget, program timing, supplier & end item PPAP)
• Follows up task completion, ultimately responsible to deliver program on time

Task Execution

• Leads multi-discipline team; program launch team typically consists of GSCM/purchasing, process engineering, manufacturing, launch engineer, sales, product engineer & quality
• Integrates lessons learned from previous programs
• Receives and critically assesses design proposals from technical project leader with respect to cost, timing & manufacturing feasibility.
• Receives and critically assesses cost for price / engineering changes decisions/opportunities
• Responsible for launching Cost Estimate Requests (CER), timely preparation of Capital Acquisition Requests (CAR)
• Responsible for planning and follow-up of trial runs
• Responsible for generating lessons learned
• Plans and executes hand over at SOP +90 days

Communication and Reporting

• Communicates to customer (timing, program status, change management) in customer language/format.
• Cascades / publishes information to team and BOS type reporting to management by using program review templates.
• Ensures timely and complete update of program documentation
• Records minutes of program meeting
• Provides immediate feedback on team member performance to functional managers
• Uses program management database with central storage of information and encourages use to ensure one source.

• Bachelor’s degree or comparable education (preferable in mechanical or electromechanical engineering) with strong capabilities to absorb technical information. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of program management experience, preferably in the automotive sector
• Proven knowledge of program management methodology, tools and techniques.

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