Program Manager

Job summary

Oversee multiple customer programs from planning through product launch, ensuring delivery on schedule, within budget, and in line with technical and quality requirements. Serve as the primary customer liaison while coordinating engineering, manufacturing, quality, procurement, and sales teams, managing risks, and supporting validation and testing.

Job details

Kitchener Executive Consultants searching for an experienced Program Manager on behalf of a leading engineering and manufacturing organization located in the Greater Toronto Area. Reporting to senior engineering leadership, the Program Manager will serve as the primary liaison between customers and internal stakeholders, ensuring programs are delivered on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with technical and quality requirements. The Program Manager will oversee multiple concurrent customer programs while coordinating activities across engineering, manufacturing, quality, procurement, and sales functions. This individual will play a critical role in maintaining strong customer relationships, managing project timelines, identifying and mitigating risks, supporting validation and testing activities, and ensuring successful product launches. The role requires a strong balance of technical expertise, business acumen, and leadership capability. Candidates should possess a degree in technology, business, engineering, or a related discipline, with preference given to those holding a Mechanical or Electrical Engineering background. A minimum of 5 years of project or program management experience in a manufacturing or engineering environment is required. Experience within the automotive sector, particularly involving HVAC systems or related technologies, will be considered a strong asset. Our ideal candidate will demonstrate expertise in project planning, cross-functional leadership, customer relationship management, and structured product development processes. Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, and industry quality standards is highly desirable. Strong communication, presentation, organizational, and problem-solving skills are essential, along with the ability to effectively manage competing priorities and drive results through collaboration. Our Client’s preferred Salary Target is $110 000 - $120 000 and we encourage all applicants interested in this opportunity to apply. Please note, the hiring salary will be based on the selected candidate’s experience and ability to support the organization. At Kitchener Executive Consultants Inc., we provide a bespoke and personalized recruitment experience where every candidate’s application is reviewed by our team of Search Consultants and measured to our clients’ specific hiring criteria and requirements. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not used in selecting a candidate within our detailed and professional recruitment process.

What you’ll do

Oversee multiple customer programs from planning through product launch, ensuring delivery on schedule, within budget, and in line with technical and quality requirements. Serve as the primary customer liaison while coordinating engineering, manufacturing, quality, procurement, and sales teams, managing risks, and supporting validation and testing.

Requirements

Requires a degree in technology, business, engineering, or a related discipline, with a preference for a Mechanical or Electrical Engineering background, and at least five years of project or program management experience in manufacturing or engineering. Automotive experience, particularly with HVAC systems, and knowledge of APQP, PPAP, and industry quality standards are highly desirable; strong communication, organizational, presentation, and problem-solving skills are essential.

Listed skills

• Problem solving · Preferred
• Risk Management · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• Prioritization · Preferred
• Product Development · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Program Management
• Project Planning
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Customer Relationship Management
• Project Timeline Management
• Budget Management
• Risk Management
• Product Development
• APQP
• PPAP
• Quality Standards
• Validation and Testing
• Product Launches
• Communication
• Problem-Solving
• Prioritization

Job areas

• Management & Leadership
• Manufacturing
• Engineering