Project and Program Management Generalist III - Material Cost Optimization

Inside the Role

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

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 deliverables, action tracking, follow-up, and escalation while fostering constructive, solution-focused collaboration. 

Knowledge You Should Bring

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, supply chain, business, finance, project management, or a related field and 5 years of related experience. 

• 3+ years of demonstrated project or program management experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from definition through implementation. 
• Experience in automotive, commercial vehicle, powertrain, manufacturing, procurement, supplier management, or product development environments. 
• Understanding of tariffs, trade compliance, USMCA/regional value content, localization, and total landed cost considerations. 

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and prioritization skills with a solution-focused mindset. 

• Ability to create structure in an ambiguous, fast-paced, changing, and sometimes conflict-based environment. 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare executive-ready updates and present complex topics to stakeholders and management. 

• Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority, build alignment, manage competing priorities, and drive actions to closure. 

• Working knowledge of business cases, cost drivers, financial impact, risk management, and performance reporting. 

• Customer-focused mindset with the ability to understand and respond to internal stakeholder needs and expectations. 

• Proficiency with standard Microsoft Office tools and the ability to learn and use enterprise reporting and project-management systems. 

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally. 

Exceptional Candidates Might Have

• Experience leading material cost optimization, value analysis/value engineering, cost-down, localization, resourcing, or complexity-reduction programs. 

• Knowledge of Daimler Truck powertrain products, project structures, purchasing processes, module teams, and global governance forums. 

• Experience with procurement analytics, cost engineering, supplier negotiations, competitive benchmarking, RFQs, and measure-tracking systems. 
• Experience coordinating global teams and working across cultures, time zones, and organizational boundaries. 

• Professional project management certification or comparable formal project-management training. 

• Knowledge of a foreign language, particularly German. 
  

Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)-

Detroit, MI US. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Schedule Type:

Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.

At Daimler Truck North America, we recognize our world is changing faster than ever before. By listening to the needs of today, we’re building to solve with cutting-edge solutions in sustainability and future driving technology across electric, hydrogen and autonomous. These solutions, backed by years of innovative success and achievement, continue DTNA’s legacy as the undisputed industry leader. Our evolving brand portfolio is second to none, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Demand Detroit, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Financial Services. Together, we work as one team towards our envisioned future – building a cleaner, safer and more efficient tomorrow for all.

That is what we are working toward - for all who keep the world moving.

Additional Information

• Visa sponsorship will only be open to current Daimler Truck North America employees working under an existing U.S. Daimler Truck North America Visa

• All other applicants must be legally authorized to work permanently in the country the position is located in at the time of application

• Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check

• Final candidate may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen

• Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions

• EEO - Disabled/Veterans

Daimler Truck North America is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status.

For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD enabled call 503-745-2137 or toll free 866-355-6935.