ZF Friedrichshafen AG is hiring a Project Manager III

ZF Friedrichshafen AG is looking for a Project Manager III to lead multi-functional business program teams using our proprietary product launch process (GDPEP). You will act as the primary program contact, ensuring flawless program launches while managing financial performance, risk, and cross-functional coordination.

What You'll Do

• Lead multi-functional business program teams using the GDPEP product launch process.
• Maintain the database monitoring the status of the global program portfolio and act as gatekeeper to ensure adherence to GDPEP.
• Conduct flawless launch of programs to meet key milestones on time, with expected financial and technical performance.
• Drive risk upstream and ensure final product definition is contained in the PV build.
• Manage programs as required by business needs, including supply base management, operations changes, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Maintain comprehensive program reports including schedule, metrics status, open issues, actions, and change management summary.
• Develop program gate review documentation and program books in support of GDPEP process requirements and maintain in C Place.
• Conduct program meetings and management gate reviews.
• Function as the primary program contact within the ZF organization and with OEM customers.
• Develop with purchasing organization sourcing calendars, supplier capacity verification, and BOM trackers.
• Coordinate functional activities and ensure matrix resource efficiencies to achieve program objectives.
• Meet or exceed Electronics and ADAS financial performance objectives with critical focus on BOM and GMP of new programs.
• Maintain a high level of data quality and accuracy.
• Manage capital and tooling expenditure appropriation requests (CEA) and ensure CEA spending achieves budget metrics.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering, Business, or closely related field.
• 5 years of experience in development management or project management in the automotive industry.
• 2 of the 5 years of experience must include line or matrix managing a team within an electronics or software-focused environment.
• Demonstrated experience with financial management principles, including CAPEX, ER&D and product cost relevant to project execution.
• Demonstrated experience with manufacturing processes for automotive electronics, including design and development.
• Demonstrated experience applying automotive quality and project management frameworks including APQP, PPAP, ISO standards, FMEA, and Six Sigma.
• Demonstrated experience with Agile methodologies throughout the entire product lifecycle.
• Demonstrated experience fostering collaboration, building relationships, and mentoring team members for growth and development.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams in a matrix management environment.
• Demonstrated experience with ASPICE, Continuous Improvement Process/Model, Failure/Root-cause analysis, Data analysis and reporting, DOE (Design of Experiment), and IATF / TS16949.
• Must have a project management certification.

Team & Environment

You will coordinate with matrix functions including Sales, Product Engineering, Quality, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Logistics, and Finance.

Work Mode

This is a hybrid position based in Farmington Hills, Michigan (US-MI), United States.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are more than just words for us. They are at the core of the ZF Way that propels our team members towards their utmost success. We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a natural reflex.

ZF is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees.