Founded in 1986 as a partnership between Nittoku and Autoneum, UGN is the preferred producer of high quality acoustic, interior trim, and thermal management products, and a recognized leader in customer satisfaction for the Japanese transplant automotive industry in North America. UGN, with more than $400 million in revenue, has six locations in the United States—Novi, Michigan; Jackson, Tennessee; Monroe, Ohio; Somerset, Kentucky; Downers Grove, Illinois; and Valparaiso, Indiana; as well as a location in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico—specializing in manufacturing, research, development, testing, and service support.

UGN’s corporate headquarters is located in Downers Grove, Illinois. The office is home to 8 departments and 70 team members as well as our senior management team. UGN has a strong, corporate wide focus on giving back to the community, and as such the team members are proud supporters of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. UGN recently achieved ranking as a “Best Company to Work for in Illinois” for 4 years in a row. Based on three core values of Respect, Trust and Communication, UGN prides itself on a unique culture that is the UGN Way.

Learn more about UGN at: https://ugn.com/

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/66127

The Program Manager plans, coordinates, and manages the launch of new business as outlined in the project charter; plus, coordinates customer-approved changes with manufacturing for current mass-production parts. This position is located at our headquarters in Downers Grove, IL or one our U.S. manufacturing locations (Valparaiso, IN; Monroe, OH; Somerset, KY; Jackson, TN).

Responsibilities:

• Launch new programs based on current department procedures and lessons learned.
• Develop milestone schedule based on customer requirements.
• Lead program team meetings to develop a master schedule based on the milestone schedule.
• Manage program progress against the master schedule. Make updates as needed.
• Monitor and track program budget via current procedures.

• Manage the APQP Gate process.
• Conduct Gate Reviews with cross functional team.
• Work with UGN manufacturing plant to schedule trials and support customer early build requirements.
• Complete required customer documents and provide program updates.

• Adhere to ISO or current certification procedures.

• Lead a cross-functional team by providing assignments and direction to achieve program goals.

• Communicate with customer on non-commercial issues.
• Provide program updates via current communication and reporting procedures for all levels of management.
• Work with Account Managers on program progress, direction, and changes.
• Lead lessons learned meetings.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited four-year college or university; and five plus years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Automotive industry experience and program management experience preferred.
• Experience with Japanese automotive customers preferred.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers and customers.
• Awareness of ISO, APQP and AIAG standards
• Ability to lead, motivate, delegate, and manage a cross functional team.
• High level of organization and the ability to plan effectively.
• Must be able to handle conflict as well as change in schedules.
• Must have the ability to understand customer processes.
• Ability to travel to customers and to our plants (up to 30%).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project, Microsoft Office applications-Word, Excel, and Office Outlook.