Program Manager

Location: SATECO USA – Novi, MI - USA
Reports to Direct – Technical and Engineering Manager - Indirect-VP Sales
Description of essential job functions * Program Management for custom compression tools used for producing silicone rubber keypads for automotive tier 1 and OEM’s in close cooperation with Sateco USA support team.

• Perform project and office administration support tasks as needed.
• Project management for entire product development cycle starting with quoting, tool order, through to official production release including deadline monitoring, sample shipment, PPAP proof & forwarding.
• Requires high level of organization, attention to detail, with sense of urgency and meticulous with follow-up

Qualifications/ Experience * Prefer at least 3-5 years automotive project management with Tier 2/3 supplier in a custom tooled component environment, supporting engineers, sales and customers in a Program Manager, Project Manager, Engineering Coordinator role

• Mechanical application background, automotive switches, compression molding, silicone molding experience, painting and laser-etch is a plus
• Experience managing custom tooling programs with Chinese or Asian tool shop and production factory location.
• Experienced with product life-cycle from beginning to end with custom tooled automotive components
• Experience with basic testing for mechanical components would also be a definite bonus.
• Ability to communicate directly with Tier 1-2 and OEM automotive customer engineering groups, quality and program management contacts as needed.
• Comfortable working unsupervised in a small office and proven to be self-motivated.
• Understand the dynamics of working for a smaller company and need for multi-tasking
• Inquisitive with inherent desire to learn about company’s product.
• Able to cultivate relationships with internal customers in China and Switzerland.
• Able to develop and maintain a relationship with customers
• Ability to demonstrate competency to customers, put them at ease and build confidence in ability to handle projects

Primary tasks
Project Management

• Confirm order details with the customer and kick-off projects
• Place tool orders at factories / confirmation to customer
• Tracking of timing and milestones
• Update customer on project progress as needed
• Shipment of samples and test reports / PPAP
• Trouble shooting quality issues as needed
• Customer Complaint handling
• Clearing of tool orders
• Responsible from tool order until final tool release
• Maintenance of the PM-System (Super-Office)
• Entering and maintaining pricing in ERP system- entering prices, cost downs part numbers
• Organizing and maintaining project samples for the office

Sales Support

• Assist manager in preparing quotations for projects
• Work with partner suppliers to request for quotations
• Maintenance of the CRM system (Super-Office)

Technical Support

• Drawing review as per Sateco design standards, assist Sales gathering required information for RFQ’s.
• Perform basic non-contact part dimensional measurement, some testing (durometer, basic force, lifecycle, abrasion, electrical contact)
• Assist with preparation and submission of 8D reports to customer.

Relationship to other departments Internal:
Reports directly to the Technical and Engineering Manager, Sateco USA, works close together with the VP and BDM
Technical matters: works closely with Engineering Departments (Zurich Headquarter / Sateco Engineering Centre)
Logistic matters: works closely with Logistic Departments (Headquarter, Hong Kong, Beihai China Factory)
External
Direct contact with Tier 1&2 Automotive OEM customers and production partners

Job Type: Full-time