Lead Program Manager
Who We Are:
Challenge Manufacturing’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry leaders allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do and embody our core values of safety, ownership, and teamwork every day; they are the true driving force in our operations.
Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee-owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee-owners share in Challenge’s success!
Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!
Who We Want:
We are seeking a proven Lead Program Manager to drive program success across multiple customer launches and internal cross-functional teams. In this leadership capacity, you will ensure all affiliated program teams are supported, aligned, and executing customer deliverables with precision. You will oversee all aspects of the launch process—ensuring CMC’s internal and external customer requirements are consistently met or exceeded in timing, quality, and cost.
This position plays a key role in shaping launch excellence, managing complex, high-volume automotive programs, and serving as a trusted liaison between executive leadership, customers, and plant operations.
What You'll Do:
- Provide overall program leadership and accountability from concept through full production launch.
- Deliver timing, quality, and cost KPI reports to executive leadership and key stakeholders.
- Develop and manage program KPIs and dashboards to monitor launch readiness, open issues, and performance trends.
- Lead cross-functional teams (Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Finance) to bring product designs seamlessly into production.
- Mentor and supervise Sr. Program and Program Managers, ensuring consistency in project execution and launch discipline.
- Manage large-scale, multi-OEM launch programs and support the department in achieving deliverables.
- Ensure all program milestones, customer deliverables, and timing commitments are met.
- Review and track open issues, program timing charts, and risk mitigation plans to maintain launch readiness.
- Validate and manage scope changes, ECNs, and cost/timing impacts in collaboration with Finance and Engineering.
- Minimize project risk through proactive escalation, issue resolution, and contingency planning.
- Facilitate post-launch lessons-learned reviews, driving continuous improvement in program management processes.
- Promote a culture of accountability, communication, and cross-functional collaboration across all launch teams.
When and Where:
This position is located at our Corporate Office in Walker, MI.
Occasionally, this may require you to arrive early, stay late, or work on weekends, outside of our regular hours, to ensure we successfully meet customer needs, deadlines, or urgent requests.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical/Controls, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent).
- 10+ years of experience in the automotive industry, preferably in stamping, welding, or assembly operations.
- 10+ years of program or project management experience in a Tier 1 automotive manufacturing environment.
- 5+ years of experience leading and mentoring program management teams.
- Proven track record of launching large-scale automotive programs on time and under budget.
- Deep understanding of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, and GD&T.
- Hands-on experience supporting multiple OEM customers.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, PLEX
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, including machining, welding, fabrication, and assembly.
- Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
- Strong sense of accountability, ownership, and urgency in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships, resolve conflicts constructively, and influence cross-functional teams.
- Ability to travel up to 50%
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or Program Management.
- PMP certification or equivalent project management credential.
- Experience with enterprise-wide launch governance or global program oversight.
- Familiarity with digital launch tracking tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Power BI).
- Exposure to EV platforms or next-generation vehicle programs.
- Proven success implementing continuous improvement frameworks or standardized launch processes across multiple plants.
- Experience presenting at the executive level and leading customer-facing program reviews.
What We Offer:
We’re excited to offer a range of awesome benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions, Flexible Spending Accounts, company-paid Short-Term Disability and Basic Life Insurance, Voluntary Life and Long-Term Disability options, an Employer 401k Match, ESOP shares, tuition reimbursement, a Referral Bonus Program, Challenge Incentive Program, and paid time off.
Please note, while these benefits are part of what we offer, they may not all apply to this specific role. The details shared in this job description are intended to give you a general idea, but duties and responsibilities may evolve over time, with or without notice. And of course, we’re happy to provide reasonable accommodations to help individuals with disabilities succeed in their role.
