Location: Tokyo
Work Style: Hybrid / Office-based with global collaboration
Salary: 14 mil. JPY
Overview
An excellent opportunity for an experienced Automotive Program Manager to join a global Tier 1 technology supplier supporting major Japanese automotive manufacturers.
This position takes ownership of automotive programs from the initial business stage through product development, launch, and post-production support. Acting as the primary customer interface in Japan, you will coordinate closely with Japanese OEM customers while leading a global cross-functional team across Japan, the US, Mexico, India, and China.
The role requires a strong combination of customer management, technical understanding, cross-functional leadership, and program ownership. You will be responsible for keeping complex automotive development programs aligned on timing, quality, cost, and customer expectations.
For a Program Manager who enjoys working directly with customers while coordinating international engineering and manufacturing teams, this is a highly visible role with significant responsibility and global exposure.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the primary customer interface and escalation point for Japanese OEM customers
- Manage automotive programs from new business inception through active development, launch, and post-production support
- Work closely with sales teams to support new business opportunities at the program level
- Lead global, cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and related functions
- Plan and manage key product development milestones to ensure delivery on schedule and to required quality standards
- Ensure customer requirements are clearly understood and communicated across global development teams
- Coordinate prototype deliveries and other key customer deliverables
- Identify engineering, timing, and delivery risks early and drive appropriate countermeasures
- Ensure compliance with internal engineering processes and customer-specific development requirements
- Manage program-level budgets and resource planning in coordination with functional teams
- Support other Program Management activities in Japan as required
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline, or equivalent professional experience
- At least 5 years of experience in automotive product development and/or program management
- Strong technical understanding in at least one area such as software, hardware, mechanical engineering, or manufacturing
- Experience managing Japanese OEM customers from the supplier side
- Experience taking at least one product through the full development lifecycle, from business commitment through stable production
- Strong cross-functional leadership skills and experience working with distributed international teams
- Ability to manage technical and commercial trade-offs across multiple functions
- Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills
- Understanding of program-level cost, budget, and P&L considerations
- Fluent-level Japanese and English communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting Honda as a customer
- Experience within an automotive Tier 1 electronics supplier
- Experience with connected car, infotainment, automotive electronics, or similar product areas
- Master’s degree in a technical field or MBA
- PMP certification
- Experience working in a highly international engineering environment
This Position May Suit Professionals With Experience As
- Program Manager
- Senior Program Manager
- Project Manager
- Technical Program Manager
- Customer Program Manager
- Engineering Project Manager
- Product Development Manager
- Automotive Project Manager
Candidates with strong Japanese OEM customer management experience and a background in automotive product development are particularly encouraged to apply.
Why Join?
This position offers the opportunity to take genuine ownership of complex automotive programs while working with major Japanese OEM customers and global engineering teams.
Rather than focusing only on internal project coordination, you will operate at the center of the customer relationship, technical development, commercial priorities, and global execution.
You will also gain exposure to advanced automotive technology and work within a highly international organization, making this a strong opportunity for an experienced Program Manager looking to expand both customer-facing responsibility and global leadership experience.
