Program Manager (all genders) - General Industries / Industrial Seals

Datwyler seeks a Senior Program Manager in Schattdorf to lead technical customer projects from order to series production. The role requires strong project leadership, rubber manufacturing knowledge, and fluent English and German skills.

This position acts as the central driver for technical customer initiatives within the Product Line organization. The Program Manager guides projects through the realization phase, managing the journey from initial order intake to prototype execution and final series production readiness at the designated manufacturing site. The role blends structured project oversight with active, hands-on operational coordination to ensure successful delivery.

Responsibilities

• Manage technical customer projects through all stages, from initial order intake and prototype validation to series production readiness, ensuring deliveries remain on schedule and within budget while facilitating smooth operational handovers.
• Create comprehensive project plans and apply APQP methods and FMEAs to mitigate risks, while organizing technical trials to verify that parts meet customer specifications.
• Act as the primary technical liaison for clients during project execution, handling all specifications, validation reports, and proactive troubleshooting to maintain high customer satisfaction.
• Align efforts across internal and external teams in engineering, production, quality, and sales to guarantee operational readiness and seamless collaboration.
• Oversee project budgets and optimize the use of personnel and resources to maintain economic effectiveness without sacrificing quality standards.
• Implement post-project feedback mechanisms and continuous improvement initiatives to align technical execution with broader business and strategic objectives.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
• At least five years of experience in project management, with a preference for candidates from the automotive supplier or rubber manufacturing sectors.
• A proven track record of managing technical projects from order intake to production launch, including concept development, prototyping, series validation, and execution of APQP/PPAP processes.
• Deep understanding of product realization projects, rubber manufacturing processes (such as molding, post-molding, and validation), and quality management systems like ISO 9001 and IATF 16949.
• Expertise in core quality tools including FMEA, APQP, PPAP, and SPC to ensure compliance with customer specifications, industry standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple technical customer projects simultaneously, handling detailed planning, milestone tracking, and full execution ownership while aligning deliverables with strategic goals, timelines, and budgets.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, characterized by a proactive, solution-oriented mindset. The ideal candidate is highly structured and organized, capable of managing competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Fluent proficiency in both English and German, with a minimum level of C1 in each language.

What the company offers

• Diversity and a wide range of career opportunities that only an international company can provide.
• Interesting development opportunities with training and assignments in a global environment.

About the company

Datwyler has built a strong corporate culture over its 100-year history, rooted in values that emphasize respect, trust, and appreciation for its employees. The company is currently focused on increasing its agility, accelerating digitalization, and fostering sustainability to meet future challenges.

• Employees are treated with respect, trust, and appreciation.
• The company has strong roots and values that have been well established in its 100-year corporate history.
• The company is increasing its agility, accelerating digitalization and fostering sustainability.