Program Management Specialist

Location: Farmington Hills, Michigan, United States · Onsite

ASTEMO AMERICAS, INC.Project & Program Management

Job Description:

Position Summary

The Program Management Specialist I supports the successful development, launch, and lifecycle management of SHOWA Performance aftermarket suspension products, accessories, and performance systems. This role serves as a critical link between Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Quality, Sales, Marketing, and external suppliers to ensure products are developed, validated, manufactured, and launched in alignment with business objectives.

The position is responsible for coordinating cross-functional activities, maintaining program schedules, managing deliverables, supporting issue resolution, and driving execution of new product introductions from concept through commercialization.

Approximately 80% of the role focuses on program management responsibilities, including planning, execution, launch coordination, supplier management, and business reporting. The remaining 20% involves direct participation in engineering and product development activities, including prototype support, vehicle build coordination, validation testing, product evaluations, technical issue resolution, and continuous product improvement activities.

This role is intended to develop well-rounded professionals who possess both strong program leadership capabilities and practical experience in aftermarket suspension product development, testing, vehicle integration, and launch execution.

Essential Responsibilities

Program Management Responsibilities (80%)

Program Planning & Execution

• Support the planning, execution, and successful launch of aftermarket suspension products, accessories, and related performance systems.
• Develop and maintain integrated program timing plans and milestone schedules.
• Track program deliverables, dependencies, risks, and critical path activities.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities to ensure program objectives are achieved on time and within budget.
• Monitor program performance and proactively identify and mitigate risks.
• Support business case development and program planning activities for new products and strategic initiatives.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Coordinate activities between Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, and external suppliers.
• Facilitate regular program meetings and maintain action item tracking.
• Drive accountability for project deliverables across functional teams.
• Escalate critical issues that impact timing, cost, quality, or customer satisfaction.
• Support strategic alignment between technical, operational, and business objectives.

Product Launch & Commercialization

• Support new product introduction (NPI) and product line expansion initiatives.
• Coordinate launch readiness reviews and production release activities.
• Track prototype, pilot, and production launch milestones.
• Support packaging, inventory readiness, pricing implementation, and go-to-market activities.
• Assist with launch planning for distributors, dealers, trade shows, marketing campaigns, and customer events.
• Coordinate launch-related communication and execution activities across the organization.

Supplier & Customer Coordination

• Coordinate timing and deliverables with suppliers and service providers.
• Track supplier readiness and recovery actions.
• Support customer-facing communications for assigned programs.
• Coordinate sample requests, product evaluations, and demonstration activities.
• Support issue resolution and follow up with internal and external stakeholders.

Reporting & Governance

• Maintain program dashboards, risk registers, issue logs, and key performance indicators.
• Prepare management presentations, status reports, and executive summaries.
• Support budget tracking and program financial monitoring.
• Drive closure of open action items and follow-up activities.
• Support continuous improvement of program management processes, tools, and reporting methods.

Engineering & Product Development Responsibilities (20%)

Product Development Support

• Participate in the development of new aftermarket suspension products, accessories, and performance systems.
• Serve as the program management liaison to Engineering throughout the product development process.
• Support engineering design reviews, technical discussions, and product planning activities.
• Coordinate engineering deliverables required to meet program milestones.
• Work closely with engineers to balance performance, cost, manufacturability, and timing objectives.

Prototype & Vehicle Build Support

• Coordinate prototype builds, sample parts, and evaluation units.
• Support product installation, fitment verification, and vehicle integration activities.
• Assist with SHOWA Performance vehicle builds, demonstration vehicles, trade show vehicles, SEMA projects, and customer evaluation programs.
• Participate in vehicle testing, ride-and-drive events, and product assessment activities.

Validation & Testing

• Support development and execution of product validation plans.
• Coordinate laboratory, vehicle, durability, environmental, and performance testing activities.
• Track validation status, test results, and corrective actions.
• Assist engineering teams in documenting and communicating test outcomes.
• Support verification of product performance against design objectives and customer requirements.

Engineering Change Management

• Coordinate implementation of engineering changes from concept through production release.
• Track timing, approvals, and execution of product design revisions.
• Support manufacturing and supplier readiness activities related to engineering changes.
• Assist with engineering documentation and configuration control activities.

Technical Issue Resolution

• Participate in root cause investigations involving product, quality, manufacturing, installation, and warranty concerns.
• Support corrective and preventive action activities.
• Gather, analyze, and organize technical data to support engineering decision-making.
• Track issue resolution activities through closure.

Product Performance & Market Feedback

• Collect and organize product feedback from customers, distributors, dealers, installers, racers, and internal stakeholders.
• Support competitor benchmarking and market product evaluations.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and product enhancement projects.
• Assist in identifying opportunities for product line expansion and performance improvements.
• Work with engineering teams to support product tuning and optimization activities.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Business Administration, Program Management, or related field required.
• Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Engineering degree preferred.

Experience

• 0-3 years of experience in program management, project management, engineering, manufacturing, product development, or a related technical field.
• Automotive, motorsports, powersports, off-road, OEM, or aftermarket industry experience preferred.
• Experience supporting product launches, engineering projects, or vehicle-related programs is desirable.

Technical Skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and Project.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, test reports, and validation results.
• Working knowledge of product development, design release, validation, and change management processes.
• Familiarity with prototype development, validation testing, manufacturing readiness, and launch activities.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) – Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, identity, disability, protected veteran status and national origin.

At Astemo, we’re challenging the status quo with the power of diversity, inclusion, and collaboration. Our goal is to build an inclusive work environment that celebrates the differences of our employees. We want to ensure that every employee feels valued, respected and empowered. We don’t just accept difference—we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Astemo is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job at Astemo, please send the nature of the request and contact information to am-jobs@hitachiastemo.com when applying for the position.