Program Manager - Strategic Projects Manager (f/m/d)

Job description

Working at Freudenberg: We will wow your world! Responsibilities: Program Ownership: Lead customer programs end-to-end from nomination to series production stabilization. Cross-Functional Coordination: Align R&D, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, supply chain, finance, and sales teams. Project Manager Leadership: Guide and support Project Managers to ensure consistent execution and governance. Customer Interface: Manage customer communication, escalations, changes, and overall satisfaction. Operations Coordination: Collaborate with plants to ensure readiness for industrialization, launch, and ramp-up. Program Governance: Define and monitor plans, milestones, budgets, risks, KPIs, and reporting. Risk & Change Management: Identify risks, drive mitigation actions, and manage scope changes. Financial Oversight: Support profitability, cost control, investments, and business case alignment with Finance. Qualifications: Education: Degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Industrial Management, or related field. Experience: 7+ years in program/project management in international manufacturing or automotive environments. Program Management Expertise: Proven ability to manage complex, cross-functional programs (time, cost, quality, scope, risks). Leadership: Experience leading cross-functional teams and directly managing Project Managers. Customer Management: Strong skills in handling customer interactions, escalations, negotiations, and issue resolution. Operations Knowledge: Solid understanding of manufacturing, industrialization, quality, supply chain, and launch processes. Certification & Tools: PMP or similar preferred; strong knowledge of program management methods, tools, and reporting. Soft Skills & Languages: Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills; fluent English required. The minimum gross annual salary for this position in Italy is €42,000. Compensation for this position will be determined by the candidate's qualifications, experience, education, and overall alignment with the role's responsibilities. ‎ ‎ The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies S.a.s. di Externa Italia S.r.l.u.