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 in the world, and we've strived to maintain strategic and stable growth throughout our 83-year history. Today, we're on the lookout for energetic people with the potential to perform, as well as the ability to strengthen - and thrive in - the positive work environment we pride ourselves on.
Location: Canton, MI, USA
What We Are Looking ForYazaki is looking for Sr. Manager, Program Management to join our GM Business Unit in Canton, Michigan. The ideal candidate will enjoy working in a collaborative and action-driven environment making lasting impacts on the organization.
Under direction of the Customer Executive of the responsible department, the Sr. Manager Program Management (VPM- Vehicle Platform Manager) has total responsibility and accountability for meeting established program targets. The VPM is responsible for successful completion of program objectives and for proposing strategic direction for program teams; typically responsible for multiple product lines. The position entails interface at a management level with customers, manufacturing, and functional groups in business unit and across Yazaki North & Central America.
What You Will Be DoingLeadership

• Ensure that group structure and staffing levels are in line with business requirements
• Hire and work with group to improve their skills and competencies, using feedback, coaching, motivation, and mentoring techniques
• Provide short-term tactical and mid-to-long range strategic leadership to group, including assessing department related risks & opportunities and making recommendations to management (e.g., new technology, industry innovations, or strategies)
• Implement associate development tools, including objective setting and the performance review process
• Ensure training needs are identified and met with priority given to development and understanding of Yazaki manufacturing and inspection processes
• Ensure the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of effective, efficient, and common processes, procedures, and methodologies
• Ensure data is collected, analyzed and corrective actions implemented for group metrics
• Provide regular communication to the group on administrative issues and policies
• Assist HR with resolution of compliance, safety, integrity concerns, or grievances within group
• Support long-range and short-term group forecasts, goals, objectives, and priorities
• Prepare and maintain updated job descriptions ensuring functions are aligned with processes and procedures
• Resolve customer and internal issues to facilitate implementation of group objectives and achieve customer satisfaction
• Develop and manage group budget to reach or exceed its objectives and overall BU profitability

Program Management

• Program Budgets. Coordinate, lead and perform initial approval of the STF/LTF program and platform budgets (final approval by executive management). Manage financial health based on approved STF/LTF. Responsible for the platform financial health and overall P&L including extraordinary expense management (obsolescence, rework, airfreight, inventory, and investment) and mitigating risks and trade-off decisions associated with each. Oversee actions for customer reimbursement for all applicable program related costs.
• Value Management. Oversee Value Management process to improve program profitability.
• Launch Readiness / Process Sign Off (PSO). Ensure all tasks are performed for launch readiness and PSO. Coordinate all specific customer visits to the manufacturing facilities. Assist in supplying requirements to Manufacturing and approving all resolutions to the follow-up issues that are presented to the customer.
• Customer Contact. Responsible for the overall customer relationship pertaining to the specific program. This may require regular customer reviews on satisfaction levels or program metrics. It may require leading or coordinating critical customer issues.
• Program Scope. Review program scope changes that impact budget/STF with Customer Executive.
• Scheduling and Tracking. Review and approve timing created by Program Managers. Support the Program Manager to ensure successful delivery of the program. Prepare regular reports for presentation to executive management that address program status.
• Risk Assessment. Review and approve risk assessments with the Program Manager. Monitor risk prevention and risk mitigation actions. Assess new programs, and new program opportunities, and make recommendations to pursue or decline new business.
• PPAP. Ensure that the program team is achieving customer Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) on time, per the product assurance plan. Develop PPAP strategy for new customer requirements.
• Tooling. Approve tooling strategy meets budget/STF. Approve tooling transactions falling under the Kian process. Approve tooling that is not customer reimbursable. Participate in strategy for unique tooling.
• Supplier Contact. Coordinate critical supplier issues with Supply Chain Management.
• Rework. Ensure that all rework activities are being tracked to minimize platform costs. Ensure consistency at the program level to balance customer and Yazaki needs to minimize enterprise costs.
• Strategic Planning. Participate in strategic planning for new business, including the development of short term and long range goals and objectives. Determine training requirements to achieve goals and objectives.
• Costing. Support Program Managers on resolution of costing issues that could jeopardize program deliverables.
• Quality Monitoring. Participate in resolving significant quality issues that affect program budget, quality targets or customer satisfaction.
• Delivery Monitoring. Participate in resolving significant delivery issues before they affect program budget or customer satisfaction.
• Customer Cost Reduction. Support program cost reduction activities balancing internal platform profitability metrics with customer cost reduction targets.
• Root Cause/Corrective Actions. Ensure timely identification of root cause and closure for all corrective actions. Assist in identifying the corrective action team. Develop and implement containment plans, temporary actions, and permanent actions. Communicate lessons learned across programs/platforms.
• Phase Compliance and Program Completion. Ensure that phase compliance (EMAs, Health Charts, Monthly Program Reviews) and applicable documentation is accurate, complete, and on time.
• Manufacturing Interface. Lead, coordinate, and monitor interface with manufacturing on issues elevated by the Program Manager to deliver program targets and manage Vertical KPI’s through the following mechanisms: S&OP, EE Management, Inventory Management, Balance Out, Manufacturing Coordination Meetings, APQP Planning (4M/Process Readiness), Customer Reimbursable Tooling, Change Management, Product Transfers, CSL, Pre-Build Coordination, affiliate sourcing and any other critical interface processes.
• Program Management. If a Program Manager is not assigned to a specific program within a platform, then the Platform Manager assumes the responsibilities of the Program Manager in addition to the Platform Manager responsibilities.

What You Will Bring To The Table

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, Management or related field, masters degree preferred
• Minimum of 10 years applicable experience with 3 years in program management or related field
• Up to 30% travel, domestic and international
• Ability to perform reporting functions and prepare financial analyses
• Meeting skills necessary to conduct effective program coordination meetings
• Ability to multitask
• Leadership experience including managing direct reports of at least 4-6
• Advanced level competencies include: establishes vision and direction, customer driven, global focus, consensus building, builds organization support, seeks continuous improvement, team leadership, develops team and self, results oriented, decisionmaker

What We Can Provide You

• A collaborative learning environment that will help you reach your maximum potential
• A diverse team of experts
• Supportive leadership and team members to help you do your best work
• Opportunities to build your professional network
• An engaging and supportive work culture
• Competitive compensation and benefits package including incentive compensation, 401K match, tuition assistance and a generous holiday schedule
• Hybrid work 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.