Lead Program Manager IAM

Reporting to the Engineering and NPI Director the Lead Program Manager is responsible for the IAM NPI portfolio. The role leads high-complexity programs personally while assigning projects to direct and matrix-report Program Managers. Projects span multiple geographical regions and include Application Modification Remanufacturing and Resourcing initiatives across multiple IAM customers including small OEMs to achieve AOP-planned profitability quality and on-time delivery. This position involves new technologies or platform development with a significant number of launches while coaching and guiding Program Managers to enforce standard practices and competencies.

Key Job Areas of Responsibilities

Initiate & Planning

• Initiate and create the project and scope definition including planning resource allocation financial summary technical information manufacturing and supplier strategy linked to new application development.

• Develop a detailed project plan per the WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) of the NPI process with allocated resources and deliverables for each step.

• Align the timing plan with key customer engine development milestones and linked base product development milestones.

• Maintain the project plan regularly with accurate data and escalate deviations from the baseline to customers and key stakeholders.

Execution

• Deliver against commitments for scope cost quality timing and deliverables in line with organizational strategy and goals.

• Implement and drive robust review mechanisms with stakeholders to execute the agreed plan.

• Follow the NPI change management process to mitigate deviations from baseline and address issues impacting initial commitments.

• Identify and deploy project modifications and manage customer change requests through the NPI change management process.

• Maintain track and report IAM performance metrics.

Objectives

• Drive customer satisfaction and obtain regular feedback on launch performance.

• Drive systemic changes and operate or decide outside standard frameworks when required.

• Monitor achieve and report Program Management KPIs.

Risk Management

• Assess and identify risks across technical manufacturing supplier business cost and baseline dimensions.

• Anticipate issues and escalate them in a timely manner to the appropriate stakeholder level.

• Mitigate risks through action planning and execution escalating to leadership when required.

Financial Management

• Plan secure and control product cost evolution through the Lead Engineer including BOM cost.

• Plan secure and control project budgets and resource expenses (RD&E CAPEX) including customer funding for aftermarket projects.

• Track spend plans for the IAM team and ensure spending is aligned with approved plans.

• Maintain full ownership of program financial deliverables with strong business acumen.

• Support the Engineering and NPI Director in building AOP and STRAP resource plans.

Leadership & People Management

• Delegate effectively to direct and indirect reports while holding stakeholders accountable for agreed targets.

• Resolve conflicts between project stakeholders and motivate teams to deliver against commitments.

• Influence decisions toward positive project outcomes and guide teams to resolve issues at the appropriate level.

• Coach and lead by example across cultures and geographical regions.

• Drive coordinate and challenge all cross-functional disciplines involved in the project.

• Handle ambiguous and unclear issues professionally and confidently.

Communication

• Report accurate forecasts of the IAM project portfolio and escalate deviations in budget deliverables or resources to leadership.

• Lead regular project reviews escalation meetings and deep-dive reviews on unresolved issues.

• Communicate directly with ISC Engineering Customer Management and Finance at project level.

• Prepare and present formal project status reports and obtain approvals at key phase-gate reviews.

• Guide NPI process adherence authorize sourcing and manufacturing activities and tailor communication to different audiences.

• Lead customer interactions in collaboration with the Sales team.

Education / Qualifications

Bachelors Degree in Engineering (preferred Mechanical Electronics Industrial or Software) or Business Administration.

Experience

• 7 years of experience in Program Management Customer Management Engineering Management or Operations Management within the automotive industry.

• Proficient knowledge of program management disciplines including multi-system integration scope schedule and product development management.

• PMP PMI or PRINCE2 certification (preferred).

• 3 years of experience managing teams in technically challenging and global environments.

• Basic understanding of product and technical backgrounds to effectively engage with Engineering and NPI teams.

Key Skills and Knowledge

• Advanced verbal and written communication skills including conflict resolution and group facilitation.

• Ability to work effectively with customers and cross-functional teams at all organizational levels.

• Strong analytical and financial acumen with the ability to link project metrics to business outcomes.

• Demonstrated leadership in managing complex multi-project portfolios.

• In-depth understanding of product cost structure value analysis quotation and business case development.

• Strong cross-functional leadership coaching and mentoring capabilities.

• Excellent English communication skills (written and oral).

• Systemic problem-solving ability and integrative thinking in complex industrial environments.

• Ability to learn quickly think conceptually manage ambiguity and act as an agile and strategic thinker.