Batteries are our Business. People are our Power.
At Clarios, we produce the world’s best batteries, essential for the evolving future of transportation. Our advanced low-voltage battery technologies and smart solutions power nearly every type of vehicle, and one in three vehicles worldwide is powered by a Clarios battery. We are home to strong brands such as VARTA® and OPTIMA®, and we share a common goal: creating cutting-edge technology sustainably. Ready to power up your career? Explore the possibilities with us and become a valued member of our team.
Your Contribution
As Senior Program Manager (m/f/d), you will lead complex, cross-functional programs that drive product development, customer delivery and operational excellence at Clarios. You will be accountable for end-to-end execution from concept through launch, aligning the program portfolio with business objectives and establishing the governance, decision-making and resource framework required to deliver expected value within scope, schedule, cost and quality targets.
Location: Hannover, Germany
What you will do
As Senior Program Manager (m/f/d), you will use your expertise in program governance, cross-functional leadership and product development to:
Define, authorize and oversee complex programs and their constituent projects, ensuring that the portfolio supports business goals and strategic priorities.
Lead cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, supply chain, quality and commercial functions to deliver agreed scope, timing, budget and quality.
Own integrated program planning, including work breakdown structures, schedules, budgets, resources, milestones and clear acceptance criteria.
Drive structured decision-making and trade-off analysis; document decisions and rationale and communicate direction to relevant stakeholders.
Lead acquisition and supplier-agreement activities, managing sourcing strategies and supply commitments through monitoring and acceptance.
Identify, assess and mitigate program risks, using system-level analysis, performance measures and timely escalation to protect delivery.
Govern scope, change, configuration, information and measurement disciplines to maintain control, traceability and compliance.
Act as the primary interface for customers, internal stakeholders and senior leadership, leading program reviews, gate approvals, KPI reporting and continuous-improvement actions.
What makes you a good fit
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business or a related field; an advanced degree is preferred.
At least 10 years of program or project management experience in a manufacturing, automotive or engineering environment , including responsibility for large or strategic programs.
Proven experience with product-development lifecycles , such as APQP and launch, and structured gate processes such as Power D3.
Demonstrated portfolio-level judgment, including prioritizing investments and balancing competing program demands.
Experience in supplier, acquisition and commercial-agreement management; familiarity with Automotive SPICE and ISO 26262 is an advantage.
Strong financial acumen covering budgeting, forecasting and business cases, supported by analytical and problem-solving skills.
Confident senior-level stakeholder management, influencing, communication and presentation skills, with the ability to lead in a cross-functional and international environment.
Fluent English; additional language skills relevant to the location or customer environment are an advantage.
What we offer you
Input matters just as much as output. As the world’s largest creator and manufacturer of low-voltage battery technologies, we know that better than anyone. It all starts with our people. At Clarios, your passion, ingenuity and grit are celebrated. Our benefits philosophy reflects our commitment to caring for our employees and rewarding their dedication, expertise and contribution.
Exciting professional tasks and challenges in a diverse international environment…