Job Title: Program Manager

Type of Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Hire Date: July 2026

Location: Puebla, Mexico

Responsibilities

Lead the full project lifecycle in accordance with the validated customer scope, Statement of Work (SOW), OPTIMAP project plan, and approved development budget.

Coordinate and manage cross-functional project teams to ensure delivery of project objectives related to timing, cost, quality, scope, and profitability.

Establish and maintain the master project schedule by consolidating functional plans and ensuring alignment with customer and OPTIMAP milestones.

Drive project financial performance by managing development hours, investments, cash flow, production costs, PRU targets, and Cost of Non-Quality objectives.

Provide leadership and direction to project core team members, ensuring accountability for deliverables, budgets, and project execution.

Monitor project performance against objectives, identify deviations, and implement corrective actions to maintain project alignment.

Organize and lead project reviews, phase reviews, customer meetings, and governance activities throughout the project lifecycle.

Manage project risks, threats, and opportunities, ensuring mitigation plans are developed and executed.

Oversee project scope changes, budget updates, financial reporting, expenditure tracking, and profitability analysis.

Ensure successful program launches through strong cross-functional collaboration, risk management, and execution discipline.

Capture lessons learned at project completion and support continuous improvement initiatives across program management processes.

Maintain compliance with all company policies, procedures, safety requirements, and mandatory training obligations.

Support additional business needs and perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Activities

Project Definition & Planning

Lead project execution in accordance with customer requirements, validated project scope, and approved development plans.

Coordinate and manage core team work packages, deliverables, timing plans, and development budgets.

Establish and maintain the master project timeline while ensuring alignment with customer and OPTIMAP milestones.

Ensure project objectives are clearly defined and communicated across all functions.

Evaluate project performance upon completion and capture lessons learned for future program success.

Project Monitoring & Reporting

Consolidate project status across all functional areas and ensure accurate reporting within division information systems.

Lead project review meetings, phase-gate reviews, and progress assessments.

Prepare and present gateway reports and validation documentation to the OPTIMAP Committee.

Track project deliverables and ensure accountability among core team members.

Provide regular updates regarding timing, financial performance, risks, and project status.

Risk & Action Management

Identify project risks, threats, and opportunities throughout the project lifecycle.

Develop and execute mitigation plans to minimize impact on timing, cost, quality, and scope.

Manage deviations from project plans and validate corrective actions proposed by project teams.

Drive action plans and ensure follow-up through project closure.

Escalate critical risks and issues through appropriate governance channels when required.

Financial & Budget Management

Manage project profitability through effective control of development hours, investments, production costs, PRU targets, and Cost of Non-Quality.

Allocate project development budgets across departments and support financial accountability within the project team.

Monitor project expenditures against approved budgets and implement corrective actions when necessary.

Manage project cash flow, including tooling investments and development-related expenses.

Ensure accurate financial reporting using standard Business Group tools and procedures.

Manage project scope changes while maintaining accurate financial forecasts and budget updates.

Launch Management

Coordinate all project team activities to ensure a successful and non-event production launch.

Monitor project readiness throughout development, industrialization, and launch phases.

Ensure deliverables, timing requirements, quality objectives, and customer expectations are achieved.

Capture best practices and lessons learned to support continuous improvement initiatives.

Profile

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Program Management, or a related field preferred.

Minimum 3 years of experience within the automotive industry in Program Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Commercial, or Industrial functions.

Strong understanding of global automotive development processes, requirements, and customer expectations.

Knowledge of IATF 16949 standards and customer-specific quality requirements.

Demonstrated success completing at least two Level 2 automotive projects while achieving defined objectives.

Experience managing project plans, budgets, customer requirements, timing plans, risks, and cross-functional deliverables.

Strong leadership skills with the ability to align, influence, and motivate multidisciplinary teams.

Excellent communication, stakeholder management, organization, and presentation skills.

Proven ability to define, lead, and execute cross-functional action plans that deliver measurable results.

Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills within a fast-paced automotive environment.

Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Project, and project management tools.

English required; additional languages are a plus.