Program Manager

Yazaki is a global leader in the research, development, and delivery of vehicle power and data solutions.

Yazaki works with virtually every major auto manufacturer globally, and we've strived to maintain strategic and stable growth throughout our 84-year history. Today, we're looking for energetic people with the potential to perform and the ability to strengthen - and thrive in - the positive work environment we pride ourselves on.

Location: Canton, MI, USA  

What we are looking for:

Yazaki North America is looking for a Program Manager to join our Ford team in Canton, MI. The ideal candidate will be responsible for meeting established program targets and deliverables. The candidate will be responsible for achieving program objectives and proposing a strategic direction for program teams. Programs can typically consist of multiple vehicles. 

What you will be doing:

• Participate in the development of the STF/LTF program budget and deliver the program at or under the approved budget.
• Responsible for ensuring that phase compliance and applicable documentation are accurate, complete, and on time while leading the project team in Executive Management Approval.
• Ensure all tasks are performed for launch readiness and PSO, and coordinate all customer visits to the manufacturing facilities. Responsible for assisting in supplying requirements to Manufacturing and approving all resolutions to the follow-up issues that are presented to the customer.
• Coordinate and lead for all customer-critical issues (day-to-day issues is handled by individual departments) and review requirements regularly with the customer to check on satisfaction levels/program metrics throughout the program.
• Coordinate, lead, and initiate approval of program scope changes, and manage activities to executive management.
• Lead and approve the program schedule and tracking process to ensure the program meets the scope and customer requirements, to meet overall program metrics.  Review program timing and progress toward achievement of targets and goals.  Coordinate and lead the critical build phases, while approving support activities to ensure the successful delivery of the program. Prepare regular reports for presentation to executive management that address program progress.
• Ensure the Approval Request is submitted to the customer and approved prior to SOP.
• Ensure that all program-required tooling for purchased parts is completed on time and within budget.  Monitor and ensure payments are received from the customer upon Final Approval.
• Support and assist costing initiatives throughout the life of the program. 
• Schedule program coordination meetings regularly.  Lead the cross-functional program coordination meeting.  Review the meeting minutes to ensure all tasks are completed on time.  “Prime” the meeting minutes/open issues/corrective actions system by entering initial program information into the system.
• Review and assign newly entered open issues.  Update issues in the central tracking system.  Review issue statuses between program meetings.  Approve all closed issues.  Classify and archive closed and approved issues for continuous improvement.  Review the open issues database for continuous improvement.  Address any scope, schedule, or budget changes to the program resulting from open issues.
• Review and coordinate Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) and eventual Process Change Requests (PCR), and communicate and coordinate changes with the customer, affiliate, and team members.
• Coordinate the Risk Assessment Plan with the program team.  Receive and review all recorded program risks.  Allocate risk-prevention and risk-mitigation actions.

What you will bring to the table: 

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Management or related field
• Minimum of five to six years of applicable experience in manufacturing, engineering, sales, or related fields.
• Ability to travel both domestically & internationally as required
• Ability to be on call during customer production hours 

What we can provide you: 

• A safe, collaborative learning work environment that stimulates creativity and exploration
• Diverse teams of experts
• Resources from around the globe
• Supportive leadership and team members to help you do your best work
• Opportunities for professional growth
• Competitive compensation and benefits package including incentive compensation, 401K match, tuition assistance, and a generous holiday schedule

Yazaki North America is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, handicap, veteran status, or other legally protected status or characteristic. Equal opportunity extends to all aspects of the employment relationship. Yazaki North America complies with federal and state equal employment opportunity laws and strives to keep the workplace free from all forms of harassment.