Industrialization Project Manager

Drive Technical Innovation in the Automotive Industry

We are looking for an experienced Industrialization Project Manager

The Industrialization Project Manager Lead is responsible for leading and managing the industrialization of machines and production processes within automotive manufacturing environments. The role focuses on project management, technical investigations, and procurement-related activities to ensure robust, cost-efficient, and timely industrialization from concept through Start of Production (SOP).

The assignment is centered around automation, mechanics, and vehicle manufacturing, with production processes primarily within heavy pressing, automated body assembly, and automated painting. Parts of the scope may also include more manual or semi-automated processes. The role requires a senior project manager with strong technical understanding and extensive experience in complex industrial environments.

As an Industrialization Project Manager Lead, you will ensure industrial readiness by planning, controlling, and coordinating technical, manufacturing, and supplier-related activities across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.

You will hold overall responsibility for the industrialization scope, working closely with the overall Project Manager / Program Manager and relevant steering committees. The role involves close collaboration with engineering, procurement, production, and suppliers to secure alignment with time schedules, cost targets, and quality requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage industrialization projects for machines and production processes from early concept through SOP.
• Plan, control, and monitor industrialization activities, including timelines, risks, dependencies, and critical paths.
• Perform and coordinate technical investigations related to automation systems, production equipment, and manufacturing processes.
• Drive procurement-related activities in close collaboration with purchasing, including supplier coordination, technical specifications, and acceptance criteria.
• Ensure industrial solutions meet requirements for safety, quality, capacity, cost, and manufacturability.
• Coordinate commissioning activities, including FAT, SAT, installation, and ramp-up support.
• Secure alignment between product design, production processes, and manufacturing system capabilities.
• Act as the main point of contact for industrialization-related technical issues across internal teams and external suppliers.
• Prepare and present status reports, risk assessments, and decision material to project management and steering committees.
• Drive change management activities related to equipment, processes, and industrial solutions, ensuring minimal impact on production.
• Ensure compliance with internal standards, regulatory requirements, and quality management systems throughout the industrialization phase.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in project management within industrialization, manufacturing, or production engineering.
• Proven experience from automotive or heavy industrial manufacturing environments.
• Experience with automation-heavy production systems is strongly preferred.

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Mechatronics, Automation, Industrial Engineering, or similar).

Technical Competence

• Strong understanding of industrial production systems, automation, and mechanical equipment.
• Experience within one or more of the following areas is highly relevant:
• Heavy pressing
• Automated body assembly (BIW)
• Automated painting
• Familiarity with commissioning, ramp-up, and SOP processes.

Project & Leadership Skills

• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and coordinate multiple stakeholders.
• Strong planning, risk management, and decision-making capabilities.
• Comfortable working in complex, high-paced industrial environments.

Communication & Collaboration

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical topics clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience working with suppliers and external partners.

Language Requirements

• Fluent written and spoken English is required.