Project and Program Management Generalist III – Material Cost Optimization

Daimler Truck North America

. Lead and manage the DDC Material Cost Optimization (MatCo) Program .

Posted 9/16/2026full-timeDetroit • Michigan • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $104,000 - $133,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading material cost optimization programs, managing cross-functional teams, and implementing sustainable cost reduction measures while ensuring product quality and regulatory compliance. Proficient in stakeholder engagement, project management, and financial impact analysis within the automotive and powertrain sectors.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Material Cost OptimizationProject ManagementSupplier ManagementFinancial Impact AnalysisRegulatory Compliance

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Cost EngineeringValue AnalysisRFQ PreparationBenchmarkingRisk ManagementBusiness Case DevelopmentProcurement AnalyticsLocalizationComplexity ReductionCross-Functional Initiative Leadership

Soft Skills

Analytical SkillsProblem-SolvingOrganizational SkillsCommunication SkillsInfluencing Skills

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft OfficeProject Management SystemsEnterprise Reporting Tools

Certifications & Qualifications

Project Management Certification

Industry Keywords

AutomotivePowertrainCommercial VehicleManufacturingSupply ChainTrade ComplianceUSMCASupplier EngagementGlobal GovernanceDaimler Truck

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and manage the DDC Material Cost Optimization (MatCo) Program
Coordinate purchasing, engineering, controlling, cost engineering, quality, logistics, and global powertrain stakeholders
Identify, mature, approve, implement, and track sustainable material cost reduction measures
Establish program governance, reporting, meeting cadence, decision pathways, workstreams, and stakeholder responsibilities
Lead working-team, steering, and management review preparation; document and close decisions, risks, dependencies, and actions
Coordinate Procurement activities with the global Powertrain organization and transfer standards, tools, work packages, and best practices into the DDC operating model
Provide escalation and decision support for funding, engineering capacity, validation timing, supplier readiness, and cross-functional dependencies
Support idea generation and measure maturation through team deep dives, supplier workshops, benchmarking, value analysis/value engineering events, specification reviews, resourcing reviews, and focus weeks
Ensure measures progress through maturity levels with ownership, quotations, technical concepts, implementation timing, business cases, validation requirements, and approvals
Maintain product quality, supply continuity, regulatory compliance, and total-cost competitiveness
Prepare program status reports and management presentations covering targets, pipeline maturity, financial impact, funding, implementation, risks, and decisions
Build relationships across Global Module Teams, Product Engineering, Cost Engineering, and Controlling
Facilitate alignment among functional leaders and measure owners across DDC, DTNA, and global Daimler Truck objectives
Support supplier engagement, commercial workshops, competitive RFQs, and negotiation preparation
Communicate complex technical and financial topics to working teams and senior management
Create accountability through deliverables, action tracking, follow-up, and escalation

Requirements

What you’ll need

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
Ability to create structure in an ambiguous, fast-paced, changing, and sometimes conflict-based environment
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including preparing executive-ready updates and presenting complex topics to stakeholders and management
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 addressing internal stakeholder needs and expectations
Proficiency with standard Microsoft Office tools and ability to learn enterprise reporting and project-management systems
Ability to travel domestically and internationally
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

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual bonus program
401k company contribution with company match up to 6%
Non-elective 401k company contribution of 3–7% depending on age
Starting at 4 weeks paid vacation
13+ calendar holidays
8 weeks paid parental leave
Employee assistance program
Comprehensive healthcare plans
Wellness programs
Onsite fitness at some locations
Tuition assistance
Volunteer paid time off
Short-term disability plans
Long-term disability plans