Project Steering Manager

Here at Scout Motors, we're carrying forward the heritage of one of the most iconic American vehicles in history. A vehicle dating back to 1960. One that forged the path for future generations of rugged SUVs and trucks and will do so once again.

But Scout is more than just a brand, it’s a legacy steeped in a culture of exploration, caretaking, and hard work.

The Scout brand is all about respect. Respect for the past and the future by taking an iconic American brand that hasn’t been around for a while, electrifying it, digitizing it, and loading it with American innovation. Respect for communities by creating a company that stands for its people and its customers. Respect for both work and play, with vehicles that are equally at home at a camp site, a job site, or on a Tuesday commute. And respect for our customers by developing two powertrains that meet their requirements — an all-electric powertrain as well as the Harvester™ range extender powertrain which includes a built-in gas-powered generator with an estimated 500 miles of combined range.

At Scout Motors, we empower our talented, inclusive, and entrepreneurial teams to innovate. What makes a Scout employee? Someone who is a visionary and a leader, who seeks new paths and shares lessons learned. A knowledgeable doer who collaborates across the company to build better. A go-getter with unrivaled passion.

Join us at Scout Motors and be part of shaping the future of transportation. If you're ready to drive change and make history, apply now!

What you’ll do

The incumbent is responsible for the planning and execution of new vehicle project deliverables from the Purchasing organization and is the Purchasing representative in all project-related committees, decision bodies and meetings such as PDC, PSC, Launch Meetings, Pilot Hall, VAI/IAM, VAP, etc. 

The incumbent works in close collaboration with the assigned Vehicle Project Purchasing Managers, and the matrix-responsible managers from the  Line/Project Buying Team, Supplier Management and Forward Sourcing to prioritize competing demands and to maximize resource utilization through all phases of PEP to ensure a capable and competitive supply base is in place to support each critical launch objective. 

The incumbent plays a vital and active role in the model line, representing the largest combined cost and KPE-drivers in the form of material cost and tooling capital expenditures. 

Become part of an iconic brand that is set to revolutionize the electric pick-up truck & rugged SUV marketplace by achieving the following:

Organizational (10%): 

• Establish the functional structure, fields of action and expectations for the teams being led 
• Ensure process consistency with Scout, K-BN Group and US legal / USMCA requirements 
• Develop a team of motivated, capable, diverse and independent project leaders 
• Instill by example a strong sense of integrity and adherence to the Scout Way in all actions and settings 

Commercial (30%): 

• Budget responsibility for each vehicle project’s material cost, tooling invest and launch cost 
• Responsible for tooling invest benchmarking, budget approval, and target setting during the forward sourcing phase 
• Early analysis and ongoing tracking of USMCA compliance for purchased parts and tooling spend 
• Preparation and presentation of Investments and Material Cost for Model Line and Board approvals 
• Planning and adherence to departmental budgets 

Project Management (60%): 

• Purchasing representation in the Model line and L2 Meeting to both provide and receive timely and qualitatively correct deliverables according to PEP requirements 
• Active involvement in the MST’s structures to ensure commercial, technical, quality and timing requirements are known and met 
• Cross-functional leader of the Forward Sourcing phase, collaborating with Engineering, Commodity Purchasing, Product Management and Quality Assurance to establish and deliver an aligned FS plan 
• Ensure the accurate reporting of parts status during all milestones of the PEP process for all vehicle projects, facelifts, model care points or feasibilities related to Scout 
• Communicate and enforce project milestones and deadlines to nominated suppliers for all parts in all vehicle projects 
• Champion implementation of cost saving ideas and and Local Standard points to achieve material cost commitments 
• Leadership across departmental / functional area boundaries to evaluate and provide overarching deliverables centralized with Purchasing 

Location & Travel Expectations:

• This role may be based out of the Scout Motors corporate headquarters in Charlotte, NC or Novi, Michigan. 
• This role requires 4-5 days per week in the office, with regular in-person meetings and events. 
• Applicants should expect that the role will require the ability to convene with Scout colleagues in person and travel to participate in events on behalf of the company from time to time.

What you’ll bring 

We expect all Scout employees to have integrity, curiosity, resourcefulness, and strive to exhibit a positive attitude, as well as a growth mindset. You’ll be comfortable with change and flexible in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. You’ll take a collaborative approach to achieve ambitious goals. Here's what else you'll bring:

General Skills Need to perform the job 

• Leadership experience on time-critical projects 
• Extensive experience across a broad range of technical, commercial, manufacturing and supply chain topics 
• Strong communication and compelling presentation capabilities 
• Professional demeanor in high-stress situations 
• High level of dedication and strong work ethic 
• Prior employee leadership experience 
• Collaborative across multiple organizational and hierarchical levels 
• Sense of urgency to remedy critical situations 
• Strong problem solving orientation and motivation to work around obstacles 
• Business acumen and decisions are founded on principles of integrity and sustainability 
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, with a positive, solution orientated attitude 
• Effective persuasion, motivation and negotiation skills 
• Demonstrated capabilities in writing & presentation skills, incl. proficiency in current MS-Office suite 
• Ability to think entrepreneurial 

Specialized Skills 

Required 

• Leadership of new vehicle development and production launch projects 
• Extensive experience in project management, incl. project financials/ business case optimization 
• Strong skills in leading cross-functional teams and across departmental / regional boundaries 
• Experience presenting and answering to Executive management/board level 
• Budget planning and management experience 
• Tooling invest and material cost benchmarking 
• In-depth experience with vehicle development process from a component standpoint 

Desired 

• 7+ years’ experience with an OEM 
• PEP (Product Emergence) process expertise 
• Proficient in English 

What you'll gain

The benefits of joining Scout include the chance to build products and a company from the ground up.  This is a chance to create something new and lasting – with an iconic brand at its foundation.  In addition, Scout provides competitive compensation and benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. Program specifics are detailed in company policies and employee benefit guides, select highlights:

• Competitive insurance including:
  • Medical, dental, vision and income protection plans
• 401(k) program with:
  • An employer match and immediate vesting
• Generous Paid Time Off including:
  • 20 days planned PTO, as accrued
  • 40 hours of unplanned PTO and 14 company or floating holidays, annually
  • Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave for biological and adoptive parents of all genders
  • Paid leave for circumstances related to bereavement, jury duty, voting time, or military leave
• Corporate Vehicle Program with:
  • Eligibility for 1 assigned vehicle
  • A mobility stipend

Pay Transparency

This is a full-time, exempt position eligible to receive a base salary and to participate in an annual performance bonus program. Final salary offered will be determined based on factors including but not limited to the candidate's skills and experience. The annual performance bonus program is preset and not candidate dependent.

Initial base salary range = $120,000.00 - $145,000.00

Internal leveling code: M8

Notice to applicants:

• To be considered for career opportunities at Scout Motors, applicants must be 18 years of age or older. 
• Residing in San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Scout Motors will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. 
• Residing in Los Angeles: Scout Motors will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. 
• Residing in New York City: This role is not eligible for remote work in New York City.

Equal Opportunity

Scout Motors is committed to employing a diverse workforce and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, or any other characteristics protected by law. Scout Motors is committed to compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact ScoutAccommodations@scoutmotors.com.