Japan PMO Head (Senior Manager - Program Management Japan)

Job Responsibilities:

About the Role

This position is a key leadership role within the Program Management team. The Director has strong expertise in building and leading teams and in many facets of product development. The Director of Program Management is responsible for delivery of all programs and projects in his/her customer group on time in alignment with process requirements, at quality targets, and at budgeted profitability to meet customer and Magna expectations.  Director also ensures identification and resolution of engineering product quality issues related to programs. Playing key roles such as Mentor, Coach, Manager and Team Leader are important in addition to the formal management functions of objective setting, employee appraisals and disciplinary actions.

Position Responsibilities

•Accountable for the execution of all global Japanese programs and meeting defined cost, timing, and quality and performance milestones in accordance with customer and leadership defined requirements.  Additionally, responsible for Engineering quality management and escalation resolution.

•Provides team leadership, management support, including coaching and active engagement with direct and extended team, including Program Management and Engineering Quality.

•Establish and maintain robust customer relationships with Japanese customers at all required levels of organization.

•Develops, coaches and implements engineering quality processes and policies.

•Develops, coaches and implements program management processes and policies based on program needs for all stakeholders

•Directs the efforts of product steering committees, ensuring adherence to the product development process for all program managers.

•Manages escalation path to the executive leadership on critical programs, and provides support (Technical and Leadership) to the project team(s).

•Be aware of the big picture (Technical, Product Space, Financial, Organizational, etc.) and proactively support it.

•Communicates as necessary with other senior executives in Magna on program status, new initiatives, etc.

•Facilities executive-level interaction with Customer and serves as an escalation-tiered company representative of internal and customer issues.

•Works with internal and external resources to maintain strong customer relationships with dedication to customer program schedules.

•Reports on group KPI to senior management and the broader organization.

•Prepares departmental/project budgets, and put effective controls in place to manage spending within the budget.

•Develops long-term organizational strategies/plans to meet future business needs and growth opportunities.

•Constantly seeks methods to improve program management efficiency and effectiveness and engineering product quality.

•Ensures that programs are properly resourced (both quality and quantity) for success, whether through assignment of direct resources, or leverage of external resources as required.

•Supports reviews as required.

•Ensures that teams are aware of and using the appropriate tools and processes.

•Provides supervision and oversight to Managers, Senior Program Managers, Program Managers and Project Managers.

•Interviews, hires, trains, rewards and disciplines, and performance appraisals of direct reports.

•Participates in continuous improvement efforts for products, tools, processes and programs.

•Responsible for the adherence of all processes, tools and methods of the program management team to all applicable standards, laws, rules and regulations.

•Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives.  Ensures that facilities are in full compliance with all safety regulations.

•Acts as Change Leader for cross-functional organization to ensure continuous improvement, customer satisfaction and quality program performance.

Requirements

Who we are looking for

Education

•Bachelor’s degree in engineering – Required

•Master’s degree in business or engineering - Desired

•Management/Leadership training – Required

•Business Finance training – Desired

Experience

•Minimum of 15 years deep and relevant product development experience and manufacturing operations is required.

•Minimum of 10 years of demonstrated experience in a managerial role of a technical team is required.

•Minimum of 10 years related experience in program management with prior project team management responsibility.

•Deep and comprehensive knowledge of key North American automotive OEM product development practices

•Knowledge of the application and delivery of advanced electronic systems into the automotive industry.

•Expert level problem solving skills, risk management, and analytical abilities.

•Knowledge of Software, product and/or engineering quality.