Test Program Manager Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

The Program Manager is responsible for leading and managing automotive manufacturing programs from customer award through production launch and ongoing production. This position serves as the primary liaison between customers and internal departments, ensuring programs are delivered on time, within budget, and in compliance with customer specifications and quality standards. The Program Manager coordinates cross-functional teams to achieve program objectives while driving continuous improvement, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence. The Program Manager is expected to inspire others and lead by example by consistently demonstrating the 5 C’s: Care, Commit, Connect, Communicate, and Celebrate.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead assigned customer programs from quotation and award through launch and production.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers regarding program status, timing, deliverables, and issue resolution.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive program timelines, budgets, and milestone schedules.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities involving Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Finance, Sales, and Logistics.
• Monitor program performance, identify risks, and implement corrective actions to ensure successful execution.
• Manage program scope, schedule, costs, and customer expectations throughout the product lifecycle.
• Lead program launch activities, including production readiness reviews and customer launch requirements.
• Ensure compliance with customer-specific requirements, quality standards, and applicable automotive industry standards, including IATF 16949 and APQP methodologies.
• Coordinate APQP activities, including PPAP submissions, timing plans, design reviews, and launch readiness.
• Facilitate regular internal program review meetings and customer status meetings.
• Track key performance indicators (KPIs), including timing, quality, cost, and delivery performance.
• Support engineering changes and change management processes throughout production.
• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of components and materials required for production.
• Prepare and present program reports to executive leadership and customers.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, cost reductions, and operational efficiencies.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles.
• Travel to customer and supplier locations as required.
• Displays a positive attitude towards safety, works safely and follows all the Company's safety policies and procedures.
• Complies with all Health, Safety and Environmental standards and the Occupational Health & Safety Act. and the Michigan Occupational Health & Safety Act.
• Ensures all employees and visitors have a safe environment in that safety and housekeeping standards are maintained; and all hazards, unsafe actions, or unsafe conditions have been identified, corrected, and/or eliminated.
• Report all injuries, accidents, illnesses, near misses and property damage immediately.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Note: If there is reason to believe that any equipment, or physical condition of the workplace is likely to endanger the employee or co-worker, or is in contravention of OSHA and MISOHA, notify management immediately. If there is any reason to believe that any equipment, physical condition of the workplace or assigned task is likely to jeopardize customer’s requirements, internal requirements or the quality of tests results and/or equipment build, notify management immediately. Authorities as detailed in our Quality System for ISO/TS16949 2009 including but not limited to Corrective and Preventative Actions, Control of Documents, Control of Records, Internal Audits and Control of Nonconforming Product.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Five or more years of program or project management experience in automotive manufacturing.
• Experience managing customer programs from launch through production.
• Knowledge of automotive manufacturing processes, including stamping, welding, assembly, molding, machining, or related operations.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, and customer launch requirements.
• Strong understanding of IATF 16949 and automotive quality systems.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Project, and ERP/MRP systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or Electrical Engineering.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience with major automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.
• Knowledge of AIAG Core Tools.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Automotive product development and manufacturing processes.
• APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, and Control Plans.
• Project scheduling, budgeting, and resource planning.
• Customer relationship management.
• Contract and commercial awareness.
• Risk management and problem-solving methodologies.
• Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement principles.
• Cross-functional team leadership and facilitation.
• Strong negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex programs simultaneously in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.
• Frequent walking throughout production facilities.
• Ability to sit, stand, and use a computer for extended periods.
• Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) while in manufacturing areas.

Working Conditions

• Combination of office and manufacturing floor environments.
• Moderate exposure to noise, machinery, and manufacturing operations.
• Occasional domestic and international travel may be required.
• Extended hours may be necessary during program launches, customer visits, or critical production events.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Successful program launches completed on schedule.
• Customer satisfaction and performance ratings.
• On-time delivery of program milestones.
• Budget adherence and cost management.
• Quality performance (PPM, warranty, and customer complaints).
• Launch readiness and successful PPAP approvals.
• Engineering change implementation performance.
• Continuous improvement and cost savings initiatives.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Training Requirements:

Orientation Sign-off

LM Compliance Policies

Safety Training

Department Training Requirements:

Training Checklist

Equal Employment Opportunity

LM Manufacturing is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Work Authorization / Visa Sponsorship

At this time, LM Manufacturing does not provide employment visa sponsorship for this position. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without current or future sponsorship from LM Manufacturing.

Unsolicited Recruiter and Agency Submissions

LM Manufacturing does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from third-party recruiters, staffing agencies, or other vendors unless a written agreement has been approved in advance by an authorized member of the LM Manufacturing Human Resources team.

Any unsolicited resume or candidate information submitted without an approved agreement will be considered the property of LM Manufacturing, and no placement fee or other compensation will be owed.

Only authorized members of the LM Manufacturing Human Resources team may engage or approve third-party recruiting or staffing services.

Recruitment Fraud and Career Scam Notice

LM Manufacturing encourages applicants to be cautious of fraudulent job postings, recruiting communications, and employment offers claiming to represent the company.

LM Manufacturing will not request payment from applicants as part of the recruiting or hiring process. Applicants should use caution before providing sensitive personal or financial information, including Social Security numbers, banking information, credit card information, or other confidential information, in response to unsolicited communications.

Candidates who have questions regarding the legitimacy of an LM Manufacturing employment opportunity are encouraged to verify the position directly with LM Manufacturing or through the company's official recruiting channels.