Automotive Program Manager

PerfHomme Alsace, Cultivating Human Potential!, awarded by Les Échos since 2017 as one of the Best Executive Search & Recruitment Firms in France, is supporting Knauf Industries in the recruitment of its next Automotive Program ManagerPosition OverviewAs a Program Manager for German automotive customers, you will report to the Automotive Market Director and join a corporate team consisting of 4 Program Managers, 5 Global Key Account Managers, 1 Market Development Manager, and 1 Sales & Administrative Assistant.You speak German fluently, and you will be the key technical and project management interface for major automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers.Your Key ResponsibilitiesUpstream – RFQ & Pre-Sales PhasePrepare and lead RFQs in collaboration with Global Key Account Managers.Validate technical proposals with customers, identify gaps, and drive convergence until approval.Provide technical recommendations and feasibility analyses during bid preparation.Manage RFQs for tooling, prototypes, and components.Program Leadership – From Nomination to Start of ProductionAct as the technical referent for customers from concept phase to serial life.Ensure objectives, deliverables, and resources are properly defined and implemented.Drive planning, industrialization, and definition of production means (manufacturing processes, logistics flows, tooling, etc.).Organize internal and customer project review meetings.Coordinate pre-series launches, team training, and process validation.Ensure alignment with internal quality systems and project management tools (e.g., AVANTEAM).Implement corrective actions when needed and capitalize on lessons learned (RETEX).Provide structured and regular reporting to management, colleagues, and customers. Required Skills & Background EducationMaster’s degree or Technical University degree in Mechanical Engineering, Production, Automation, or equivalent.Professional Experience6–10 years as a Program Manager in the automotive industry.Strong knowledge of automotive processes and standards.Experience with plastic injection molding is a strong advantage.Proficiency in CATIA V5 and 3D data analysis tools (e.g., Spinfire).Comfortable working in international and multicultural environments.LanguagesEnglish: fluent + German: Fluent + French is a plus. Working EnvironmentKnauf Industries, a division of the Knauf Group, is driven by four strong values: Partnership, Menschlichkeit, Commitment, and Entrepreneurship. With nearly 2,000 employees, the company operates across 8 countries with 42 sites.Knauf Industries designs and manufactures technical parts and packaging solutions for the Automotive, Industrial, Food, and Construction sectors.Specialized in plastic transformation (molding, injection, thermoforming), the company is strongly committed to sustainable development, including eco-design and the creation of 100% recyclable innovative solutions.Today, Knauf Industries is hiring an Automotive Program Manager (M/F) to strengthen its automotive division.Based Oebisfelde, 🇩🇪 or Wroclaw 🇵🇱 or Arras, France