Engineering Manager I

Job Title: Program Manager (m/f/d) – Seating Systems (Band: 4)

Location: Pune, India
Department: Seating Systems / Program Management

Key Responsibilities:

• Program Leadership:
  Provide professional leadership to interdisciplinary, intercontinental project teams throughout the entire program lifecycle, ensuring alignment with Lear’s global standards and customer expectations.
• Project Delivery:
  Ensure achievement of program objectives related to timing, technology, quality, cost, and profitability.
• Customer Management:
  Act as the central point of contact for the customer, representing Lear in team meetings and steering committees, and managing all timing, change management, technical discussions.
• Reporting & Governance:
  Deliver regular internal and external program status updates in accordance with Lear’s Program Reporting standards.
• Project Management Tools:
  Utilize Lear’s intranet-based phase gateway system and other project management tools to manage program execution efficiently.
• Cross-Functional Coordination:
  Act as the central point of contact for Product Development, Process Development, Manufacturing Plants, Sales, and Purchasing.
• Change Management:
  Lead timing, commercial, technical, and change management (including PLM) across the supply chain, ensuring smooth implementation and communication with suppliers, internal teams, and the customer.

Candidate Profile:

• Education & Experience:
• A bachelor’s or master’s degree (preferred) – technical and/or commercial (e.g., Engineering, Business Administration).
• Overall, 12 years, min. 5 years project management experience preferably in the automotive industry, with exposure to German OEMs such as Mercedes-Benz.
• Overseas work experience (EU/ USA) preferred
• Leadership & Communication:
  Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams, manage stakeholder relationships, and communicate assertively and diplomatically across cultures.
• Skills & Attributes:
• High level of independence, resilience, and initiative
• Strong negotiation skills and assertiveness
• Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic global environment
• Fluent in English; Intermediate-level German language skills are a strong advantage
• Certifications:
  PMP or equivalent project management certification.