Program Manager

Job Responsibilities

Mission of the Position:
The Program Manager (PM) is responsible for end‑to‑end program ownership throughout the complete product lifecycle – from program award through end of production. This role leads cross‑functional, global teams to deliver customer programs that meet or exceed timing, quality, and financial objectives, while serving as the primary interface between customers, internal stakeholders, and suppliers.

The Program Manager plays a critical role in customer acquisition for new business, program execution, and sustained production performance, ensuring alignment with Magna Powertrain processes, standards, and strategic objectives.

• Own and manage assigned programs across the full product lifecycle, including quoting, program award, development, supplier selection, launch, series production, post‑production performance, and lessons learned, in alignment with the Magna Powertrains Product Delivery Process.
• Lead and coordinate multi‑disciplinary, cross‑functional teams to achieve program objectives related to timing, quality, cost, and customer satisfaction.
• Establish, maintain, and monitor top‑level program plans, including customer milestones, internal deliverables, and resource requirements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers on assigned programs, leading all program‑related communications.
• Build strong customer relationships and represent Magna Powertrain with professionalism, accountability, and transparency.
• Support customer acquisition activities for new programs, including preparation of quotations, business case reviews, and contract reviews for awarded business.
• Participate in lessons‑learned analyses for both awarded and lost business opportunities.
• Deliver business results that meet or exceed Magna expectations for awarded programs, with clear accountability for timing, quality, and financial performance.
• Regularly communicate program status, risks, and mitigation plans to internal teams and management steering committees.
• Coordinate and monitor program documentation, schedules, technical performance, budgets (including expenses, tooling, and capital), quality deliverables, and production readiness.
• Proactively manage risks, implement countermeasures, and escalate issues when required.
• Lead the global Change Management process, ensuring alignment to design, specifications, cost, and timing commitments.
• Manage the Series Production phase, including claims management, change execution, continuous improvement initiatives, VA/VE activities, and ongoing commercial negotiations.
• Ensure sufficient resources are planned and allocated to support quality, safety, and cybersecurity objectives.
• Ensure programs are executed in accordance with Magna Powertrain Global Program Management System (GPMS) requirements.
• Maintain working knowledge of safety policies and regulations and ensure all program activities are performed in a safe manner.
• Approve internal and customer program milestones.
• Approve program development and production costs within defined limits.
• Approve Engineering (E) and Manufacturing (M) gate reviews.
• Communicate and negotiate cost, timing, and scope constraints with customers and suppliers in alignment with Sales and Purchasing.
• Actively support and drive achievement of approved business case objectives.

• Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent experience (three additional years of relevant technical experience in lieu of a degree). A technical or engineering degree is strongly preferred.
• Must possess a combined 5‑10 years of program management experience along with a verifiable record of results in both disciplines within the automotive industry.
• Strong technical background that may include knowledge of powertrain systems & components (Including 4WD/AWD, fluid pressure & controls, stampings & castings) and a good understanding of cross‑functional responsibilities.
• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams and manage complex programs across multiple phases of the product lifecycle.
• Experience coaching or developing project and/or program managers is preferred.
• Must possess moderately advanced usage of Microsoft Office…