Project Manager - Commercial Vehicle Programs

Project Manager - Commercial Vehicle Programs

Position Description

The Project Manager will lead cross-functional commercial vehicle programs from initial planning through execution and completion. This position is responsible for managing project schedules, budgets, deliverables, customer expectations, and Stage Gate requirements.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on project leader who can operate effectively in a fast-paced, global, matrixed environment. This role requires close collaboration with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Purchasing, Finance, and external customers to ensure programs are delivered on time, within budget, and according to technical and quality requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead mid-level programs and support the management of larger, higher-complexity global programs.
• Assemble cross-functional program teams and lead the program-planning process.
• Develop comprehensive program plans, work breakdown structures, schedules, financial baselines, and project milestones.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Purchasing, Finance, and other functional teams to ensure program requirements are completed on schedule.
• Develop, maintain, and communicate project schedules aligned with customer commitments and internal objectives.
• Organize and lead project meetings, program-status reviews, and cross-functional working sessions.
• Monitor project scope, budget, schedule, quality, and technical requirements for compliance with customer specifications.
• Prepare and present program-status reports to customers, project teams, and senior management.
• Identify project risks, issues, and dependencies and drive them to resolution using structured root-cause analysis.
• Establish and maintain an effective change-management process for project scope, schedules, costs, and requirements.
• Serve as a primary liaison with external customers regarding project status, risks, deliverables, and program concerns.
• Determine program staffing requirements and communicate resource needs to the appropriate functional leaders.
• Provide extended support to Operations, Quality, and Engineering when program requirements exceed standard expectations.
• Schedule, prepare, facilitate, and document Stage Gate reviews.
• Conduct Stage Gate reviews with senior management and ensure required actions are completed.
• Maintain clear project documentation, action-item tracking, and stakeholder communication throughout the program lifecycle.

Required Skills/Experience

• Three to five years of project or program management experience.
• Experience communicating and working directly with external customers.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional teams in a matrixed organization.
• Working knowledge of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and structured program-management methodologies.
• Experience developing and managing project schedules, budgets, milestones, risks, and deliverables.
• Understanding of financial-analysis concepts and project-budget management.
• Strong problem-solving, planning, team-building, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills with consistent attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to make independent decisions while maintaining the appropriate level of stakeholder consultation and communication.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on project execution.

Preferred Skills/Experience

• Project or program management experience within the automotive, commercial vehicle, manufacturing, or industrial sectors.
• Experience managing global programs involving teams, customers, or operations across multiple countries.
• Experience leading Engineering, Quality, Operations, Purchasing, and Finance stakeholders.
• Familiarity with product-development lifecycles and Stage Gate processes.
• Experience supporting complex customer programs with demanding cost, quality, timing, and technical requirements.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or comparable project-management training.
• Experience with continuous improvement, structured root-cause analysis, and formal change-management processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, operations, project management, or a related field.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities and projects.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to influence team members without direct reporting authority.
• Ability to communicate professionally with customers, functional leaders, project teams, and senior executives.
• Willingness to provide additional program support when required to meet customer and organizational objectives.
• Commitment to ethical conduct, accountability, inclusion, and diversity.