Ensure manufacturing plants are engaged early in the launch of a new products, ensure the plants are properly prepared to accept the new product launches and facilitate the transition from the Launch team to the plant team. This may also include mid cycle enhancements or any additional major projects as identified by the Senior Manager Launch or NA Launch Director. Lead weekly launch glide path meetings and participant in weekly new product launch meetings from product feasibility through Start of Production and participating in all Manufacturing Sign-Off events.

Supervisory Capacity:               Direct Reports:  1-5

• Responsible for assuring new launches achieve zero safety and quality incidents, zero delivery issues, 100% on target to our financialcommitments and 90 days into production. 
• Facilitate hand off of new product/equipment/processes ("launch") from launch team to plant leadership team through the use of thefollowing processes, procedures, work instructions and forms: Launch Glide path, Launch Readiness Reviews, R@R's, Process Sign-Off1, Process Sing-Off 2 and Launch performance report.
• Utilize the Launch Glide path to systematically drive actions and accountability to requiredtasks and deliverables to the predetermined program timeline. Report Launch Glide path status to launch team, Plant staff and NA leadership team through Launch Performance Reports.
• Drive / coordinate the schedule for preproduction builds, power builds, and burst builds, prepare the plant for successful first time Run at Rate.
• Lead 3 Launch Readiness Reviews in phase 4. Document open issues, actions, owners and dates. Align with Program Manager on what meeting (Launch or Plant glide path/ PSO) will track and follow through on all open issues. Driveopen issues to closure to accommodate successful launch.
• Facilitate Run at Rate event(s) 90 days prior to SOP. Internal and external events to validate overall plant readiness to perform to expectation (safety, quality, delivery, financial) at or Before SOP. 
• Facilitate Red Flag review with leadership team if a successful Run at Rate is not achieved 90 days prior to SOP. Identify open issues, actions, owners and dates to review with leadership.Follow up required until closed and Run at Rate is successful.
• Lead Process sign off reviews (1 & 2) with the plants prior to SOP. Utilize the Process Sign-Off procedure anddocumentation to drive weekly meetings within the plant and its staff. Slowly transitioning from the Launch team meeting to an internal plant meeting, led by the Launch Manager.  Identify open issues, actions, owners and dates to be reviewed / updated / closed weekly.
• Manage the launch cost budget with the Launch team and the plant to ensure appropriate and timely spending of predetermined funds. If deviation is required, elevate to program and plant leadership for direction. Ensure Launch costs budgets are forecasted by plant for current and future years.
• Ensure that Monthly Management Operations Review data is compiled and reported to plant leadership team and NA launch Director (data to include, Top issues, action plans and timing).
• Ensure 100% conformance to the plant assigning / utilizing "Launch Core Teams".Ensure plant core team is aligned to launch core team for appropriate handoff. Guide and mentor the Core Team members to meet all Launch Objectives and ensure a Successful Launch.
• Ensure Plant Leadership team is trained in Launch process and their role in the Launch process.
• Participate in the Plant Manager Staff meetings and share risks, needs and achievements.
• Responsible for interface with Program Management to assureall Phase requirements are completed by the Launch team and provided in the proper formats to the plant(s).  

Additional Responsibilities: 

(List other duties performed by position)

• Assures plant has all support needed from internal organizationto launch plant/product successfully. Must eliminate any "roadblocks" which may hinder plant achieving goals.
• Launch Managers must be prepared to coordinate multiple launches simultaneously.         
• Provide Plant Manager and Regional Launch Manager feedback on new staffing decision and performance of plant staff personnel as necessary.
• Assist Plant Materials team in completing customer specific capacity data sheets. Utilizing corporate capacity planning data, transpose into customer required documentation.
• Initiate "Red Flag" process when launch is missing key launch deliverables, such as quality or timing elements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education Level 

Bachelor's Level Degree

Area of Study:     Engineering, Business or similar.

*Equivalent work experience may also be considered for certain positions.

Required Qualifications (Experience Level, Skills, Knowledge)

3-5 Minimum Years of Experience within the field. 

• Must have new product launch experience in a functional discipline oroperational leadership experience in a plant.
• Must have solid problem-solving skills (preferably Problem-Solving tool knowledge: KT, Six Sigma, 8D, etc).
• Must be able and willing to travel and work at customer sites, including industrial manufacturing plants which might require climbing, lifting, or working in confined spaces.

Preferred Qualifications (Experience Level, Skills, Knowledge)

• Preferred experience with program or project management. General understanding of timelines, timeline software.
• Preferred experience with interiors manufacturing processes (I.e., Injection Molding, Vacuum forming, Slush, Airbag scoring).
• Preferred experience with materials and logistics (I.e., ERP, QAD).