Job Description Posted Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Put yourself in the driver’s seat; imagine where a career here could take you.

Mitchell Plastics is an award-winning, growing company and a global leader in automotive interior solutions. Our strength comes from providing our worldwide automotive customers with a single-source solution for their interior plastic component needs — from concept through production.

With more than 2,800 innovative team members across 7 manufacturing locations throughout North America, we are committed to delivering world‑class quality, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and innovative solutions that keep us at the forefront of the automotive industry.

At Mitchell Plastics, our people are the foundation of our success. We offer an exciting opportunity to join a growing “Best in Class” team where employees are supported through ongoing development, training, and opportunities for career advancement. We are always looking for driven, talented individuals who want to make an impact and grow with us.

Come join our Team, and learn first‑hand how you can contribute to our “Innovation Inside”!

Mitchell Plastics provides...

Competitive compensation

Development and training plans

RRSP matching

Paid time off and paid holidays

The Opportunity: We are currently seeking a Program Manager to join our Corporate Engineering team. The successful candidate will be based out of our Technical Center in Kitchener, Ontario.

Key Responsibilities: Program management

Own all phases of awarded program development including program management, project engineering, prototype assembly, design, tooling, quoting, feasibility, change notice process, and pre‑production sign‑off

Maintain ultimate timing responsibility through all development phases,



tracking program schedules and tool progress reports

Track and update all program‑specific open issues and maintain visual program display boards, updated weekly

Lead regular APQP meetings; initiate program‑specific meetings and ensure all discussions and approvals are properly recorded

Maintain program financial status by updating program quotations and balance sheets; ensure all documentation including POs, requisitions, and meeting minutes are current

Create and maintain all program information on the intranet; track incoming and outgoing data and maintain thorough program records

Design and development

Lead conceptual and detailed product design including benchmarking, subcontracting, data transfer, design review, and design validation; communicate design progress to the customer

Conduct weekly design reviews with the design team; schedule milestone design reviews with cross‑functional stakeholders from manufacturing, quality, and management

Manage the validation and test process; ensure all customer DVP&R; requirements are met and concerns are addressed via 8D methodology with findings documented on DFMEA, PFMEA, and control plans

Manage the paint development process and coordinate pre‑production and run‑at‑rate trials with support from program engineers and the manufacturing paint engineer

Tooling and launch

Manage all tooling aspects of awarded programs; source capable molds, gauges,



and fixtures; approve tools before shipping to plants and manage engineering changes to tools in production

Ensure all pre‑production documentation, testing drawings, process analysis, dimensional control, and capacity analysis are completed prior to launch; lead process sign‑off and customer approval activities

Initiate feasibility studies for current programs; review and log all quotes per established procedure with sign‑off from the Director of Engineering or General Manager

Our Ideal Candidate:

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field

5+ years of experience in engineering interior decorative and functional automotive components for automotive suppliers

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, and CAD software

Understanding of IATF 16949 quality and environmental management systems

Familiarity with OEM customer‑specific requirements

Experience working directly with automotive OEMs

Willingness and ability to travel within the U.S., Canada, and Mexico as required

Employment Type: Full-time Work Location: 60 Washburn Drive, Kitchener, Ontario (on‑site) Hours of Work: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday to Friday Job Vacancy: This posting is to fill an upcoming open position

We thank all candidates for their interest, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.

Artificial intelligence may be used during the recruitment process to screen or assess candidate applications.

Mitchell Plastics and Ultra Manufacturing are committed to providing a barrier‑free workplace. If accommodation is required during the selection or interview process, it will be available upon request. This job posting is available in an accessible format upon request. #joinmitchellplastics

#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Program Manager - Automotive (Winnipeg)
🏢 Mitchell Plastics
📍 Winnipeg