Customer Program Director

United States, Canada, Germany, Belgium
Rechargeable Battery Materials
Engineering & Technology, Process & Product Development

Veröffentlicht am 08-09-2023

About Umicore

Reducing harmful vehicle emissions. Powering the cars of the future. Giving new life to used metals. We are the leading circular materials technology company fulfilling its mission to create materials for a better life. With ambitions like this, imagine what you could do?

Rechargeable Battery Materials

We are all on the move. Umicore’s rechargeable battery materials give people autonomy and connectivity. We are a pioneer in battery materials that give added range and performance to electric vehicles. Our materials also ensure longer battery life for portable electronics. To enable our customers to produce even better performing batteries we cannot stand still. We need to find new ways to do things, discover new solutions and develop new ideas. Which is where you come in.

What you will be doing

As Customer Program Director you are responsible for achieving the overall goals of one or several customer programs by ensuring efficient end-to-end program execution for the development, qualification and ramp-up of all the Cathode Active Materials (CAM) products for a given customer. You will cultivate internal partnerships and alignment with customer-facing functions and bring continuous improvement and operational excellence in customer programs. 

• Define a consistent and prioritized customer program plan for development and ramp-up of all customer-required products
• Direct & coordinate the execution within the scope, timing and budget, until hand-over of each product to Operations has been achieved.
• Coordinate with internal teams to create customer plans including specific responsibilities of each team (release schedule, program milestones, etc.)
• Apply DQP and project excellence guidelines to the management of all modules within their customer programs, including the smooth organization of interface meetings and the sharing of information.
• Assess risks at the customer project level so as to develop and execute risk and contingency management plans as needed.
• Ensure that key changes and decisions are managed transparently, risks are mitigated, and roadblocks are removed timely.
• Align with other divisions at senior/executive management level to solve issues
• Report customer program status and next steps to relevant steering committees and at senior/executive management level.
• Analyze project metrics to determine project developments and success factors.
• Schedule internal product and quality reviews to meet client expectations.
• Improve key aspects of the project lifecycle to creatively address complex problems.

Who we are looking for:

• 15+ years of experience in Program Management, Program Leadership, Operations or equivalent; among these 7 years of experience working in a general management role in a fast-paced and dynamic business environment
• Successful track record in project, program and portfolio management at large scale with automotive and OEM manufacturers, including experience of working within a Product Development Process or with an OEM development process
• Profound knowledge and understanding of the technology transition (EV) in the mobility world and good understanding of Umicore’s business and dynamics especially in the mobility sector
• Master’s degree (or equivalent through experience) in Engineering or Science. Additional Business Administration / MBA and/or program and portfolio management certificates are considered a strong plus (e.g. PRINCE2, PMI, Agile, LEan Six Sigma)
• Proven success in change management of large-scale adoption of processes and their industrialization
• Experience in managing large/complex investment programs with significant financial impact and complex structure
• Ability to develop and mentor a high performing team and leading diverse, matrixed and multi-cultural and multi-functional teams
• Prior experience successfully leading cross-functional strategic programs, with a strong preference for specific experience in engineering or science.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with excellent attention to detail
• Ability to set objectives, prioritize, oversee and align programs, ensuring teams are aligned and working effectively together to meet all program requirements
• Customer-oriented mindset & approach
• A team player, who shares, challenges, supports and builds on ideas

Travel: for short periods (about 1-2 weeks) up to 25% of time

Additional information: this position is expected to start and be based in Europe (Hanau,Germany or Brussels,Belgium), then transition to the US (Auburn Hills (Detroit), Michigan) mid 2025.

What we offer

We aim to lead the way. Not just for our customers, but for our employees too. That is why we strive to create a collaborative environment in which we can all succeed, and a culture through which we can all share ideas, develop our expertise and advance our careers. We engage in building an inclusive work culture that offers equal opportunities for all employees irrespective of their diverse backgrounds. As you would expect from a world-leading organisation, we will also reward your contribution with a competitive salary and benefits. With all this and more, imagine what you could do?

If our battery materials can power  electric vehicles, IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD DO?

#LI-hybrid