Program Manager in Dandenong

About the role:

Walkinshaw Group is a leader in performance engineering, advanced manufacturing, and product development across automotive, motorsport, and emerging mobility sectors. With a proud history of innovation and quality, we deliver world-class engineering solutions for global OEMs and performance brands.

Our Dandenong South facility is home to state-of-the-art engineering capability, a highly skilled team, and a culture that values creativity, collaboration, and technical excellence.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Program Manager to join our Commercial team. You will be responsible to work as the front face of vehicle programs as the key conduit between the customer and the internal Walkinshaw business.

As a member of the Program Management team, a key aspect of your role will be to execute new business pitches, continue program growth strategies and drive continuous improvement. You will be in charge of leading project deliverables to customer requirements, agreed budget, program content, and the timing plan. This includes both development programs and new program pitches to meet the business objectives. You will develop business cases, program content and timing plans to support the long-term goals of the business.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Drive new program initiatives for customer programs, managing internal stakeholders to deliver the best outcome for the program deliverables.
• Prepare and deliver new business pitches.
• Drive new business opportunities with internal and external stakeholders.
• Drive internal program management tools – including Financial reporting, Customer management.
• Work with the manufacturing team to clearly define customer targets across quality, throughput, cost per unit and external market feedback.
• Work with the customer on developing program strategies and objectives.
• Review internal metrics to grow program objectives across quality, cost per unit, throughput, warranty and model year change points.
• Lead new program requests from customers to internal stakeholders and develop quotable documents to clearly capture internal resource costs, external supplier and regulatory requirements.
• Lead key Program execution meetings and other key business meetings as needed.
• Manage the relationship with the customer and all stakeholders for day-to-day activities and issue escalation.

External Customer Relationship:

• Display a high level of professionalism at all times.
• Develop a trusting and honest relationship with external customers.
• Represent the best interests of the Walkinshaw business to external customers.
• Be the voice of the customer to our internal teams.

What We're Looking For:

• 5+ years management experience in a similar role.
• Commercial acumen – understanding of business cases principles.
• Proactive attitude & excellent work ethic displaying aptitude to problem solve and work as a cohesive team member.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; oral and written, with professional telephone manner.
• Highly organised and able to prioritise, multi-task and handle last minute changes.
• Understanding of project timing and milestones.
• Proven leadership record and have the ability to deliver targets.
• ERP system experience.
• Excellent Word, Outlook, Adobe and PowerPoint proficiency.
• Very strong engagement, influencing and relationship skills.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary package, including 2 RDOs per year.
• Exposure to a dynamic environment where no two days are the same.
• The opportunity to make a real impact on our business results and direction.