Join a leading global automotive technology supplier in Yokohama as an Automotive Program Manager, taking ownership of complex customer programs from product development through launch and serial production.
You will lead cross-functional project teams and manage critical areas including project timing, budget, profitability, quality, tooling, investment and customer milestones. Working directly with major Japanese automotive OEM customers, you will coordinate internal and external stakeholders throughout the complete automotive program lifecycle.
This is an opportunity for an experienced automotive project professional to combine program management, Japanese OEM customer management and cross-functional leadership within an international automotive environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare, maintain and manage comprehensive automotive project plans covering timing, budget, development, tooling, investment and sample costs.
- Lead cross-functional project teams and coordinate activities across engineering, quality, manufacturing, commercial and other key functions.
- Take responsibility for project profitability, margin performance, investment planning and overall cost control.
- Coordinate advanced quality planning activities and ensure project requirements are aligned between internal teams and customers.
- Manage engineering and commercial changes throughout the product development process.
- Organise and lead project gate reviews, ensuring required milestones, deliverables and customer commitments are achieved.
- Monitor internal and customer project milestones and drive corrective actions to resolve schedule, cost and technical issues.
- Work directly with Japanese automotive OEM customers throughout development, launch and serial production.
- Support new business acquisition and current production activities in close cooperation with account management and other internal teams.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Experience:
- Strong project or program management experience within the automotive industry.
- Proven experience managing project timing, budgets, development costs, tooling, investments and profitability.
- Experience working directly with Japanese automotive OEM customers and an understanding of Japanese OEM development processes.
- Demonstrated track record of managing complex automotive projects and driving cross-functional teams toward customer and internal milestones.
- Experience coordinating multiple technical and commercial stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
Soft Skills:
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across multiple internal and external teams.
- Proactive and accountable approach with a strong focus on achieving project objectives and results.
- Ability to manage pressure, competing priorities and changing project requirements.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to drive actions through to completion.
- Effective cross-functional leadership skills for coordinating engineering, quality, manufacturing and commercial teams.
Language Requirements:
- Japanese: Business to Fluent
- English: Intermediate / Business level
- Ability to manage customer discussions, project coordination and negotiations in both Japanese and English.
Preferred Skills & Qualifications
- Experience working with major Japanese automotive OEM development processes.
- Previous experience within a global or foreign-affiliated automotive company.
- International work, study or cross-cultural project experience.
- Experience managing automotive programs across development, launch and serial production.
About the Company
Our client is a leading global automotive technology supplier supporting major vehicle manufacturers in Japan and international markets.
The company combines global engineering and manufacturing capabilities with an established presence in the Japanese automotive industry. Its teams work closely with automotive OEM customers throughout product development, launch and serial production.
This environment provides the opportunity to collaborate with engineering, quality, manufacturing, commercial and customer-facing teams while developing broad expertise in automotive program and project management.
Why You'll Love Working Here
- End-to-end program ownership: Manage major automotive programs from development through launch and serial production.
- Japanese OEM exposure: Work directly with leading Japanese automotive manufacturers and manage important customer milestones.
- Cross-functional leadership: Lead teams spanning engineering, quality, manufacturing, commercial and other business functions.
- Commercial responsibility: Take ownership of project timing, costs, investments, profitability and margin performance.
- Global collaboration: Work closely with international stakeholders within a global automotive organisation.
- Broad career exposure: Build expertise across technical development, quality planning, manufacturing, commercial activities and customer management.
- Flexible work environment: Benefit from flex time, casual clothing and a working environment with minimal overtime.
- Established automotive business: Join an international organisation with established automotive technologies, products and customer relationships.
Don't Miss Out - Apply Now!
