Project and Program Management Generalist III - Material Cost Optimization

remote type Hybrid locations Detroit, MI US time type Full time posted on Posted Today time left to apply End Date: November 11, 2026 (13 days left to apply) job requisition id DT-19657 Inside the Role Lead and manage the DDC Material Cost Optimization (MatCo) Program, coordinating purchasing, engineering, controlling, cost engineering, quality, logistics, and global powertrain stakeholders to identify, mature, approve, implement, and track sustainable material cost reduction measures. The Project Manager will establish disciplined program governance, maintain transparent reporting, and drive cross-functional teams from idea generation through implementation and financial realization. Posting Information We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected. We Take Care of Our Team Position offers a starting salary range of $104,000 – $133,000 USD Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, and experience. Benefits include annual bonus program; 401k company contribution with company match up to 6% as well as non-elective company contribution of 3 - 7% depending on age; starting at 4 weeks paid vacation; 13+ calendar holidays; 8 weeks paid parental leave; employee assistance program; comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs; onsite fitness (at some locations); tuition assistance and volunteer paid time off; short-term and long-term disability plans. What You Drive at DTNA DDC MatCo Program Leadership and Governance Act as the central DDC Procurement project lead and primary coordination interface for the Material Cost Optimization Program across local and global functions. Establish and maintain the program structure, governance model, meeting cadence, decision pathways, workstreams, and stakeholder responsibilities for the Procurement teams. Lead recurring working-team, steering, and management review preparation; document decisions, risks, dependencies, and actions and drive timely closure. Coordinate Procurement activities with the global Powertrain organization and transfer relevant standards, tools, work packages, and best practices into the DDC operating model. Provide clear escalation and decision support when measures are at risk due to funding, engineering capacity, validation timing, supplier readiness, or cross-functional dependencies. Measure Pipeline, Maturity, and Implementation Support focused idea-generation and measure-maturation activities, including module-team deep dives, supplier workshops, benchmarking, value analysis/value engineering events, specification reviews, resourcing reviews, and cross-functional focus weeks. Ensure measures progress through established maturity levels with clear ownership, quotations, technical concepts, implementation timing, business cases, validation requirements, and approvals. Challenge teams to convert ideas into executable measures while maintaining product quality, supply continuity, regulatory compliance, and total-cost competitiveness. Prepare and support regular program status reports and management presentations covering target achievement, pipeline maturity, financial impact, funding needs, implementation status, risks, and required decisions. Cross-Functional and Supplier Collaboration Build strong working relationships across Global Module Teams, Product Engineering, Cost Engineering, and Controlling. Facilitate alignment among functional leaders and measure owners, balancing local DDC requirements with DTNA and global Daimler Truck objectives. Support Purchasing teams to structure supplier engagement, commercial workshops, competitive RFQs, and negotiation preparation that support program objectives. Communicate complex technical and financial topics in a concise, decision-oriented manner for working teams and senior management. Create accountability through clear deliverab…

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