Innovation Program Manager Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Why work for us?

Alkegen brings together two of the world's leading specialty materials companies to create one new, innovation-driven leader focused on battery technologies, filtration media, and specialty insulation and sealing materials. Through global reach and breakthrough inventions, we're delivering products that enable the world to breathe easier, live greener, and go further than ever before.

With over 60 manufacturing facilities with a global workforce of over 9,000 of the industry's most experienced talent, including insulation and filtration experts, Alkegen is uniquely positioned to help customers impact the environment in meaningful ways.

Alkegen offers a range of dynamic career opportunities with globe-spanning reach. From production operators to engineers, technicians to specialists, sales to leadership, we're always looking for top talent ready to bring their best. Come grow with us!

Purpose:

The Program Manager is responsible for leading new product launch programs in all aspects, from program award, or 'Request for Quotation' in some cases, until after Start of Production. In this key role the Program Manager will laisse with the customer and several internal facing roles to coordinate design, development, validation, industrialization, commissioning, launch, and startup of new products. This role will manage a cross functional, indirect reporting team, and will report to the Manager, Program Management - Mobility.

Objectives of the Role

• Manage and coordinate a cross functional program team (R&D, Sales, Finance, Purchasing, Quality, Operations, SIOPs, Engineering) and define team members' objectives and assignments
• Develop, execute, and monitor timelines that align with customer deliverable dates and internal milestones
• Act as a liaison with the customer program and engineering team to capture scope changes to provide feedback on impacts to financials (price, capital, tooling) and timing
• Drive alignment to industry standard requirements including AIAG APQP, IATF 16949, and ISO 9001
• Facilitate periodic Product and Program Reviews with customer teams detailing timeline status, critical path migration, program risks and mitigations, and other critical topics
• Work with internal team to proactively identify product risks and develop mitigation plans to ensure launch success
• Manage internal capital acquisition requests, budgeting, and spending to deliver the project on time, at or under budget
• Ensure smooth transfer of the product and process to the Operations team, facilitating a "turnkey" ready to run process with a product that meets Alkegen and customer requirements
• Facilitate regular Product & Program Reviews to the management team detailing timeline status, critical path migration, program risks and mitigations, and financial status

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities needed:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline (master's degree is a plus)
• At least 5 years strong experience in Program Management
• 3 to 5 years of experience in Program and/or Product Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or other technical disciplines
• Proficient in program management methodology and software (MS Project, SharePoint, etc.)
• Highly effective cross-functional team management
• Demonstrate ability to work effectively in evolving environments, prioritize work independently, and adapt to changing priorities
• Ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and persuasively to executive leadership
• Previous experience working with Tier 1 and/or Tier 2 automotive suppliers is required, with a strong preference for candidates coming directly from a Tier 1 automotive manufacturing environment.
• Experience with APQP processes required
• Experience with IATF 16949/ISO 9001 requirements required
• Exceptional writing and editing skills combined with strong presentation and public speaking skills
• Estimated travel 25% required to Customer Locations and R&D/Manufacturing Sites (Detroit Metro and Buffalo, NY)

At Alkegen, we strive every day to help people - ALL PEOPLE - breathe easier, live greener and go further than ever before. We believe that diversity and inclusion is central to this mission and to our impact. Our diverse and inclusive culture drives our growth & innovation and we nurture it by actively embracing our differences and using our varied perspectives to solve the complex challenges facing our changing and diverse world.

Employment selection and related decisions are made without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, nation of origin, religion, color, gender identity and expression, age, disability, education, opinions, culture, languages spoken, veteran's status, or any other protected class.