Freelance Automotive Program Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Service Contract Management

• Manage and administer service contracts for programs transitioning from production to the service phase, ensuring contractual obligations are met through EOL

• Developcustomerfacingprofitable pricingstrategy and gain approval from the CSP Sales Director prior to approaching the customer

• Negotiate and execute service agreements with OEM customers, defining scope, pricing, lead times, and minimum order quantities for service parts

• Establish and maintain service program timelines aligned with customer end-of-production (EOP) and last-order-date (LOD) milestones

• Monitor service contract performance, tracking delivery, quality, and cost metrics against commitments

• Serve as the primary customer-facing point of contact for all EOL program inquiries and issue resolution

One-Time Buy (OTB) Coordination

• Evaluate programs for one-time buy (OTB) applicability, conducting demand forecasting and analysis to determine optimal buy quantities

• Coordinate with customers to secure OTB commitments, purchase orders, and financial arrangements prior to tooling or line decommissioning

• Work with Supply Chain and Procurement to execute OTB material purchases, ensuring adequate safety stock for service life projections

• Manage finished goods and component inventory resulting from OTBs, partnering with warehouse operations on storage and fulfillment strategy

• Track OTB inventory consumption and communicate depletion projections to customers in advance of stock-out risk

ToolingTracking &Disposition

• Lead the disposition process for all production and service tooling at program EOL, including molds, fixtures, checking gauges, and assembly tooling

• Coordinate tooling reviews with Engineering and Operations to determine the condition, ownership, and disposition path for each tool

• Facilitate tooling transfer agreements with customers or third-party service suppliers when tooling must be relocated to support continued service production

• Manage tooling storage, maintenance, and decommissioning decisions in alignment with customer contracts and company asset policies

• Maintain accurate tooling registers and disposition records throughout the EOL process, ensuring traceability and compliance

• Coordinate with Finance on tooling asset write-offs, customer-owned tooling returns, and cost recovery opportunities

• Lead customer owned tooling audits

Engineering & Operations Coordination

• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to assess and document service process requirements, including capacity needs, cycle times, and labor standards for low-volume service production

• Coordinate with Operations on scheduling strategies for intermittent service orders, including periodic production run planning and line readiness requirements

• Work with Process Engineering to maintain and archive service Bill of Process (BOP), control plans, and work instructions to support future service production events

• Identify process simplification or outsourcing opportunities for service production that reduce internal burden while maintaining quality requirements

• Ensure all engineering changes (ECNs) impacting service parts are evaluated, communicated, and implemented in the service program

Cross-Functional Program Management

• Lead EOL program review meetings with cross-functional stakeholders including Program Management, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations

• Develop and maintain EOL transition plans and schedules, tracking open actions and driving closure across all functions

• Communicate program status updates to senior leadership and customers, escalating risks to service continuity in a timely manner

• Maintain complete EOL program documentation packages, ensuring records are archived in compliance with IATF 16949 and customer-specific requirements

• Support internal and external audits related to EOL programs, tooling, and service contract compliance

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related technical field required

• Advanced degree or professional certifications (PMP, APICS CPIM/CSCP) a plus

Experience

• Minimum7-10years of experience in automotive program management,account management,customer service, or manufacturing operations within a Tier 1 supplier environment

• Demonstrated experience managing automotive programs through end-of-production, including service transitions

• Familiarity with composite manufacturing processes (SMC, RTM, CFRP, fiberglass) strongly preferred

• Experience with OEM customer portals, service contracts, and automotive aftermarket supply chain dynamics

• Background in tooling management, asset disposition, or capital equipment lifecycle a significant advantage

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent); experience with MRP/inventory planning modules preferred

• Strong command of Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel (data analysis, pivot tables) and Project

• Familiarity with IATF 16949, PPAP requirements, and automotive core tools (FMEA, Control Plans, MSA)

• Working knowledge of automotive customer-specific requirements (GM, Ford, Stellantis, or similar OEMs)

Core Competencies

• Strong project management and organizational skills with ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to present to senior leadership and customer representatives

• Analytical mindset with attention to detail in contract review, demand forecasting, and financial analysis

• Collaborative, solutions-oriented approach with ability to influence without direct authority across cross-functional teams

• High degree of initiative and self-direction in an environment with competing priorities and tight timelines