Program Manager

Kongsberg Automotive provides world class products to the global vehicle industry. Our products enhance the driving experience, making it safer, more comfortable and sustainable.

The company has an annual turnover of about EUR 1 billion. With headquarters in Zürich, Switzerland, and facilities in 20 countries, Kongsberg Automotive employs more than 10.000 people.


Program Manager in Mullsjö, Gothenburg or Hallbergmoos


Main Objectives

Responsible for projects towards defined customers and management of program deliverables from a cross functional team to achieve the agreed program goals and objectives. Following the KA Management System, Knowledge Based Development - New Product Integration (KBD-NPI) and Product Improvement Process (PIP), the Program Manager will bring products and/or systems from strategic identification to running production.


Areas of Responsibility
.Responsible for the management of programs and a customer base from strategic target to running production, while achieving a flawless launch
.Maintain focus on initiated projects to gain additional benefits for the business area through gaining efficiencies in program (operational, design, purchasing).
.To ensure project documents are created, maintained and updated via PLM structure with the understanding that this is a mandatory requirement. Auditing project docs regularly.
.Always follow KA's Management System and QA routines
.Planning and co-ordination of the project deliverables
.Overview and control of financials (budget, turnover, contribution margin, etc.) of the business
.Achieving complete customer satisfaction
.Reporting program status to the Steering Committee (STC)
.Establish relationships with the customers on necessary levels
.To observe public laws, directives, provisions and concessions with regard to health, environment and safety, and to follow agreements made with external and internal parties.
.Be familiar with the customer requirements (general and product specific)
.Host/attend program meetings on an as needed basis (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc) with customer and internal program teams to ensure Kongsberg is meeting customer requirements.
.Establish and follow up on the main time plan with milestones
.Establish and follow up the project goals
.Establish project rules and best practice routines
.Organize and prioritize time between the management of multiple projects
.Follow up budget and update prognoses on a monthly basis


Personal tasks
.Be familiar with the customer requirements (general and product specific)
.Host/attend program meetings on an as needed basis (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc.) with customer and internal program teams to ensure Kongsberg Automotive is meeting customer requirements.
.Establish and follow up on the main time plan with milestones
.Establish and follow up the project goals
.Establish project rules and best practice routines
.Organize and prioritize time between the management of multiple projects
.Follow up budget and update prognoses on a monthly basis
.Run the projects according to KA Management System, Knowledge Based Development - New Product Integration / System Development Processes (KBD-NPI / KBD-SDP) and supporting Product Improvement Process (PIP).
.Secure the quality of all changes (technical, time plan and economy), with the help of KA's Engineering Change Management (ECM) or Product Improvement Process (PIP) procedure.
.Represent the Program department inside and outside the company.
.With reference to KBD-NPI/KBD-SDP, maintain strong working relationships with all cross-functional teams to affect timely responses to project needs.
.Review project budgets ensuring that projects are delivered within 100% of budget as signed off at the start of the project, implementing recovery plans where this figure is exceeded.
.Manage cross functional program team's focus on all given conditions, time schedule and budgets to ensure passage of planned gates on time and in line with POI, KBD-NPI/KBD-SDP, and PIP planning.
.Actively report to Direct Manager successes, areas for improvement and programs at risk in a timely manner to ensure corrective action.


Candidate profile

Education and professional experience
.BSc or BA degree
.Minimum of two - three years' experience in the area of program management / technical and commercial project management in automotive or truck industry
.The ideal candidate is familiar with German customers like VW - DAG - BMW - GM Opel


Practical experience and skills
.Leadership, interpersonal skills, personal drive and confidence lead and work with cross functional teams to earn trust and team support to meet program objectives
.Knowledge and experience of PM processes - experience in production, quality, purchasing, marketing and / or product / process development is desirable
.A high degree of personal integrity and confidence
.Ability to make quick decisions based on a combination of experience as well as advice from other people
.Ability to think clearly and react effectively under pressure while remaining focused on key objectives and strategies
.Excellent interpersonal skills to lead and work within cross functional teams
.Microsoft Office Suite expected / PLM knowledge is a benefit / PLANISWARE knowledge is a benefit


Special requirements
.Knowledge of automotive project management methodologies
.Experience in developing mechatronic products, ideally powertrain is a huge benefit
.Ability to produce good written reports and relevant presentations
.Excellent command of spoken and written English and German is essential and a prerequisite



Other attributes

The job may involve travel to other countries and KA locations as required and may involve extended length of stay to support strategic activities as directed by the VP Programs.


Working location: Mullsjö or Gothenburg or Hallbergmoos


Should you be interested in this exciting challenge, please apply as soon as possible via our website.


For further information please liaise with Ayhan Quirbach, Director, Program and Sales / Powertrain and Chassis ayhan.quirbach@ka-group.com, tel: +46 72 53 88 796