(Senior) Program Manager (m/f/d)

At Clarios we are producing the world’s best batteries, essential for the evolving future of transportation. Every third car battery in the world is produced by us. Join our leading team and be part of the success story of VARTA! With your program management experience in Lithium-Ion Battery business, customer relationship management and excellent communication skills, together we can strive towards our strategy to create wins for our customers every day. Ready to power your career within a fast pace global team and bring your own ideas to life? Then take on the challenge and become part of our EMEA Program Management team!

Your contribution

As the (Senior) Program Manager (m/f/d) you will work cross functional together with different internal and external stakeholders, being responsible to lead the cross-function project teams with the aim to launch complex programs starting with RFI/RFQ through SOP/post launch including the responsibility for profitable (target costing) and timely execution according to budget and processes. This also comprises to escalate and report out to management.

The role will be based in our Clarios EMEA headquarters office in Hannover, Germany.

Key Responsibilities: What you will do

• Seamless execution and management of programs to meet budget and timing requirements.

• Take holistic view on projects as business owner and provide incremental opportunities pro-actively.

• Lead and drive Simultaneous Development Team (SDT) through Power D3 / ITP to launch programs.

• Demonstrate expert knowledge in the use of program management related processes (e.g. ITP/PowerD3) as applicable. Optimize usage of processes that support business.

• Profound understanding of customer needs, requirements, and specifications. Leads team to ensure prompt response to customer inquiries.

• Early identification of project risk and initiation of mitigation plans.

• Precise, effective, and clear communication to all levels of the organization.

• Lead within a project (indirect leadership), enable and support others, personally engaged in coaching others for their development. Motivate to encourage excellence.

• Planning & conduction of Program Reviews at Senior Management Level and as backup for the Program Management Director.

• Ensure timeliness gate exits.

• Manage conflicts and escalation seamlessly and to the best of the companies benefit.

• Make decisions and achieve results that are consistent with company and team values. Support and drive in building a strong team structure.

• Coaching of team members at Program Manager level in alignment with the Program Management Director.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: What we look for

• University degree, preferably a master’s degree in engineering, Business Administration Management, or related studies.

• PMP Certification or equivalent certification or experience preferred.

• Solid work experience in Program Management within the automotive industry, preferably in an international organization.

• Professional experience within Manufacturing, Engineering or Quality within Lithium-Ion technology field preferred.

• Proficient work experience in manufacturing processes and areas, product design, product development and sales, including knowledge of costing and quoting processes.

• Ability to confidentially dealing with the production and sales processes.

• Excellent knowledge and handling of the project management methods (e.g. Auditing, PMI standards, IATF standards) and methodical knowledge in FMEA and SPC

• Ability to demonstrate customer and supplier relationship management.

• High social competencies and excellent communication and presentation skills

• Proficient work experience with PM related tools (e.g. Daptiv, APQP, AIAG, Quality Systems)

• Advanced work experience with Microsoft Office Applications, MS Outlook, and MS Project

• Fluency in English language – both written and spoken, German language skills are a plus.

Benefits: What we offer you

As a technology leader with strong brands (i.e. VARTA® and OPTIMA®), Clarios notably lives on the creativity, capability, and satisfaction of its employees. Therefore, we offer people with drive and power many good reasons to join us:

• Exciting professional tasks and challenges in a diverse international environment with strong commitment to integrity, values, social engagement, and sustainability.

• Arrange your working hours and breaks flexible via our flexible and trust-based working hours model and combine your pro