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Automotive Program Manager Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

Lowen CG

Program Implementation Manager

Wichita, KS · On-site

... automotive programs, or similar field installation work is strongly preferred. • Experience managing high-volume and/or high-revenue customer programs is strongly preferred. • Experience ...

Leeds West Groups (LWG)

Automotive Technician

Topeka, KS · On-site

$35 - $40/hr

Summary An Automotive Technician exemplifies professional integrity, strong teamwork skills ... programs, budgets, and more. * Support the Store Manager in fostering a strong, inclusive, and ...

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All JobsAutomotive Program JobsAutomotive Program Manager JobsAutomotive Program Manager Jobs in Kansas

Automotive Program Manager information

See Kansas salary details

$34.3K

$95.8K

$140K

How much do automotive program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for automotive program manager in Kansas is $95,838.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,900.00 and $118,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an automotive program manager do?

An Automotive Program Manager oversees the planning, execution, and delivery of automotive projects, such as vehicle development or component integration. They coordinate cross-functional teams, manage timelines and budgets, and ensure that project goals align with company objectives and customer requirements. Their role involves communicating with stakeholders, mitigating risks, and ensuring that quality standards are met throughout the project lifecycle.

What are some typical challenges faced by automotive program managers when coordinating cross-functional teams?

Automotive Program Managers often encounter challenges such as aligning the goals and timelines of diverse teams, including engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and quality assurance. Coordinating these groups requires strong communication and negotiation skills to resolve conflicts and keep projects on schedule. Additionally, managing changes in project scope—often due to evolving customer requirements or regulatory updates—demands adaptability and effective risk management. Building strong relationships and maintaining transparency with all stakeholders is key to overcoming these hurdles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an automotive program manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Automotive Program Manager, you need expertise in project management, automotive engineering principles, and a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with project management software (like MS Project), automotive design tools (such as CAD), and relevant certifications (such as PMP) is often required. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills are essential for managing cross-functional teams and meeting project deadlines. These skills ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet quality standards in a highly competitive industry.

What is the difference between Automotive Program Manager vs Automotive Engineer?

AspectAutomotive Program ManagerAutomotive Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, Business or related field; PMP or project management certifications often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical, Automotive, or Electrical Engineering; Professional Engineer (PE) license optional
Work EnvironmentProject teams, cross-functional departments, management meetingsDesign labs, testing facilities, R&D departments
Employer & Industry UsageAutomotive manufacturers, suppliers, and OEMsAutomotive manufacturers, R&D centers, engineering firms
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding project management roles in automotive industryUnderstanding engineering roles in automotive development

Automotive Program Managers focus on overseeing vehicle development projects, coordinating teams, and ensuring timely delivery. Automotive Engineers are involved in designing, testing, and improving vehicle components. Both roles are essential in the automotive industry but differ in responsibilities and focus areas.

What job categories do people searching Automotive Program Manager jobs in Kansas look for?

The top searched job categories for Automotive Program Manager jobs in Kansas are:

Automotive Program Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Automotive Program Manager job openings in Kansas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $95,838 per year, or $46.1 per hour.

Program Implementation Manager

Lowen Corporation

Wichita, KS • Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Position Title: Program Implementation Manager
Location: Remote / Hybrid Eligible, with travel as needed
Purpose Statement
The purpose of this position is to support the planning, coordination, implementation, and execution of high-volume graphic installation programs. This role is responsible for helping create structure around complex installation programs, coordinating installer and subcontractor resources, tracking progress, identifying risks, supporting quality standards, and helping ensure consistent execution across customers, internal teams, external partners, and field resources.
This position is intended to support high-volume and high-revenue opportunities that require dedicated installation coordination, process discipline, reporting, site readiness, field communication, and cross-functional alignment.
Position Overview
The Program Implementation Manager supports assigned graphic installation programs from launch through ongoing execution. This includes coordinating timelines, installer coverage, subcontractor support, customer communication, site readiness, field execution, issue resolution, reporting, quality documentation, and process improvement.
This role works closely with internal installation teams, customers, vendors, subcontractors, installers, site contacts, and other support teams to ensure assigned programs are organized, properly supported, clearly communicated, and executed according to customer expectations.
As business needs grow, this position may eventually have employees, coordinators, site leads, quality inspectors, or other support resources reporting to them.
Primary Responsibilities
Graphic Installation Program Management
• Program Coordination: Plan, coordinate, and manage assigned graphic installation programs from launch through ongoing execution. Ensure timelines, deliverables, responsibilities, and follow-up actions are clearly defined and tracked.
• Installation Labor Planning: Support planning for installer coverage, subcontractor capacity, travel crews, internal labor, site leads, quality inspectors, scheduling, and other resources required to execute assigned programs.
• Installer amp; Subcontractor Coordination: Assist with communication, vetting, onboarding, scheduling, follow-up, and performance tracking for installation partners, subcontractors, field crews, and other program resources as needed.
• Site Readiness amp; Field Support: Help evaluate installation space, vehicle staging, access, environmental conditions, customer/site requirements, and other field conditions that may affect schedule, quality, or throughput.
• Schedule amp; Capacity Tracking: Monitor program volume, timelines, deadlines, crew needs, open items, and potential bottlenecks. Help identify resource gaps before they impact customer commitments.
• Quality amp; Documentation Support: Support consistent use of pre-inspection, photo documentation, quality checks, final approval, issue tracking, and closeout requirements for assigned installation programs.
• Process amp; SOP Implementation: Help develop, document, and implement installation processes as programs grow or change. This may include site readiness, vehicle readiness, kit handling, installation workflow, QA, rework, reporting, and escalation processes.
• Issue Resolution amp; Escalation: Identify issues early, gather necessary information, coordinate next steps, and escalate concerns when needed. Follow through until issues are resolved or properly assigned.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Coordinate with internal departments as needed to support installation execution, customer requirements, material readiness, documentation, reporting, and handoffs.
• Customer Communication: Support clear, timely, and professional communication with customers as assigned. Help ensure updates, expectations, risks, and follow-up items are communicated appropriately.
• Reporting amp; Visibility: Track and report key program information, including status updates, completed work, open issues, capacity concerns, deadlines, quality concerns, labor gaps, and financial or operational impact.
• Travel amp; Field Support: Travel as needed for customer meetings, program launches, site visits, installer onboarding, vendor coordination, training, field support, or issue resolution.
Desired Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in business, logistics, operations management, supply chain, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience in project management, program management, operations, logistics, field services, installation services, customer program management, or a related role.
• Experience supporting graphic installation, vehicle/fleet graphics, vinyl graphics, wrap programs, OEM programs, automotive programs, or similar field installation work is strongly preferred.
• Experience managing high-volume and/or high-revenue customer programs is strongly preferred.
• Experience coordinating work across multiple departments, locations, vendors, customers, installers, subcontractors, or external partners is preferred.
• Experience supporting customer-facing programs, operational rollouts, vendor coordination, subcontractor coordination, or field execution is preferred.
• Experience creating structure around new or fast-growing programs is a plus.
• The ideal candidate does not need to be a hands-on graphic installer, but should be comfortable learning installation requirements, field constraints, quality expectations, and installer/vendor coordination needs.
Required Skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong planning, organization, and follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, schedules, and changing requirements.
• Ability to identify problems early and help drive resolution.
• Ability to communicate professionally with customers, installers, subcontractors, vendors, internal teams, and leadership.
• Comfortable using spreadsheets, email, project tracking tools, reporting tools, and internal systems.
• Ability to work independently while keeping leadership informed.
• Ability to bring structure to complex or developing installation programs.
• Ability to build productive relationships with internal teams, customers, vendors, installers, subcontractors, and external partners.
• Willingness to travel as needed.
Operational Ownership, Alignment amp; Review
The Program Implementation Manager is expected to manage assigned installation program coordination, day-to-day follow-up, resource tracking, communication, issue resolution, and implementation support within the scope of assigned responsibilities.
This position should maintain regular alignment with leadership on program priorities, customer expectations, labor needs, installer coverage, site readiness, capacity concerns, vendor performance, process improvement, reporting, and broader business goals.
Items involving significant customer impact, financial risk, labor constraints, site constraints, staffing needs, schedule concerns, quality concerns, or strategic decisions should be escalated and reviewed before commitments are made.
Leadership Expectations
This role requires a shift beyond task coordination into active program ownership. Expectations include:
• Bringing structure and organization to complex graphic installation programs.
• Communicating clearly and professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
• Following through on open items until they are resolved or properly assigned.
• Identifying labor, site, schedule, quality, and process risks early and escalating when appropriate.
• Supporting a solutions-focused approach during periods of high volume, complexity, or change.
• Helping improve systems, workflows, reporting, and communication as programs scale.
• Maintaining visibility to capacity, deadlines, customer expectations, and operational constraints.
• Supporting accountability with internal teams, installers, subcontractors, vendors, and external partners.
• Using data, reporting, and regular communication to help leadership make informed decisions.
• Representing Lowen professionally with customers, vendors, installers, subcontractors, and program partners.

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