Since 1965, Stoneridge has designed and manufactured advanced, award-winning technologies including driveline and transmission actuation systems, vision systems, emissions control systems, safety systems, and security and monitoring systems for vehicle OEMs in the commercial vehicle, automotive, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets. We’re focused on the areas of greatest market need – both today and tomorrow. Our core products and technologies are aligned with industry megatrends including safety and security, vehicle intelligence, fuel efficiency and emissions. Join the Stoneridge Team as we continue to build upon our strong history and reputation for quality products to deliver innovative products and systems that address a need, exceed our customers’ expectations, and motivate our team.

Position Summary

The Program Manager is responsible for leading cross-functional programs from initiation through launch and post-launch closure, ensuring execution in accordance with customer requirements, business objectives, APQP standards, timing, cost, quality, and profitability targets.

This position requires a strong project leadership profile capable of coordinating Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Finance, Sales and other functional areas without direct authority over those teams.

The role is not limited to project tracking or administrative coordination. The Program Manager is expected to drive execution, challenge the organization, identify risks, escalate issues, facilitate decisions and ensure accountability across the project team.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Lead assigned programs from business award / project initiation through production launch, stabilization and formal closure.
• Develop and maintain an integrated program plan including key milestones, deliverables, dependencies and critical path.
• Lead cross-functional project teams and ensure clear ownership and accountability for all program activities.
• Coordinate Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Finance, Sales and other functions required for successful execution.
• Lead regular program reviews and ensure actions are completed on time.

APQP & Product Launch

• Manage programs according to APQP requirements and internal product development processes.
• Ensure completion and readiness of required program gates and deliverables.
• Coordinate prototype, pilot and production build activities.
• Support PPAP readiness and production launch.
• Track product and process validation activities and ensure risks are identified and mitigated prior to launch.
• Support manufacturing readiness, capacity confirmation, tooling readiness and Run at Rate activities.

Change Management

• Coordinate engineering and customer changes throughout the program lifecycle.
• Lead impact assessments related to timing, cost, inventory, tooling, validation and implementation.
• Ensure changes are properly documented, approved and implemented.
• Coordinate phase-in / phase-out activities and minimize exposure related to obsolete or excess inventory.

Financial Management

• Maintain visibility of program financial performance.
• Track project investment, tooling, engineering costs and other program expenses against approved business case.
• Identify financial deviations and work with Finance and functional teams to develop recovery plans.
• Evaluate financial impact of engineering or customer changes.
• Support profitability improvement and cost-reduction initiatives.

Risk Management

• Proactively identify program risks related to timing, cost, quality, supply chain, technical development and manufacturing readiness.
• Develop mitigation and contingency plans.
• Escalate critical risks when cross-functional alignment or management intervention is required.
• Maintain clear visibility of program health and critical issues.

Customer Management

• Act as one of the primary program interfaces with the customer.
• Coordinate customer milestones, deliverables and expectations.
• Communicate program status, risks, recovery plans and major decisions professionally and proactively.
• Support customer meetings, audits, launch reviews and escalation activities when required.

Executive Communication

• Prepare concise program status reports for management and executive leadership.
• Present program status, risks, financial performance and required decisions during management reviews.
• Clearly distinguish between information, risks, issues and decisions required.
• Escalate appropriately while bringing potential solutions and recommendations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Project Management, Manufacturing or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in project/program management, product development or automotive manufacturing.
• Previous experience leading cross-functional teams.
• Strong understanding of APQP and automotive product launch processes.
• Experience managing timing, financials, risks and customer deliverables.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to influence teams without direct authority.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Advanced English communication skills, both written and verbal.

Preferred Qualifications

• Automotive Tier 1 experience.
• Experience managing global or multi-site programs.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans and automotive quality systems.
• Experience with engineering change management.
• Experience with project financial management and business cases.
• PMP certification or formal Project Management training.
• Experience with project management / portfolio management systems such as Planview or similar tools.

Critical Competencies

The ideal candidate must demonstrate:

• Ownership: Takes responsibility for program results rather than simply reporting status.
• Leadership: Drives teams and creates accountability without relying on hierarchical authority.
• Sense of urgency: Recognizes critical issues and acts before they become escalations.
• Business judgment: Understands that program decisions must consider timing, quality, customer impact and profitability.
• Risk anticipation: Identifies potential problems before they become actual failures.
• Communication: Communicates complex situations clearly and concisely at both working and executive levels.
• Decision making: Is comfortable making recommendations with incomplete information when necessary.
• Resilience: Performs effectively under pressure and manages competing priorities.
• Accountability: Follows through on commitments and expects the same from the project team.
• Constructive challenge: Is willing to challenge assumptions and push functional teams when commitments or business objectives are at risk.