Manager Pilot Launch

The Launch Manager serves as the primary technical and operational interface between the plant, product development (core team), and customer-facing teams. This role is responsible for leading the manufacturing facility through the critical stages of new program launches-from pre-production through final product validation and series production stabilization. The focus is on ensuring that all manufacturing operations meet stringent quality, cost, delivery, and timing (QCDT) requirements, while maintaining adherence to IATF 16949 and customer-specific standards.

Degree: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related technical/business field.

Experience: 5-8 years of experience in automotive manufacturing, with specific exposure to launch management or program management in a Tier 1 supplier environment preferred

Certifications: PMP, Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, or equivalent project management certifications are highly preferred.

Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of automotive development lifecycles, IATF 16949 quality standards, and lean manufacturing principles.

Project Governance: Mastery of project management tools (e.g., MS Project, PLM systems, RACI logs, and critical path analysis).

Leadership: Proven ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.

Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills; capable of navigating complex relationships between corporate teams, plant floor staff, and external OEM customers.

Analytical Ability: Strong data-driven mindset with the ability to translate complex manufacturing metrics into actionable insights for leadership.

Project Management & Launch Leadership

• End-to-End Ownership: Manage the manufacturing plant's readiness plan for new programs, overseeing tooling, capital equipment installation, and process validation.
• Launch Coordination: Lead cross-functional plant teams (Safety, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials/Supply Chain, IT, HR, and Production) to ensure alignment with project milestones.
• Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify and escalate technical, schedule, or financial risks. Lead problem-solving sessions to drive launch issues to closure.
• Stakeholder Interface: Serve as the primary plant representative in program management forums, reporting progress to senior leadership and the customer.

Operational Readiness & Quality

• APQP/PPAP Management: Lead plant-level Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and oversee the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), including trial builds and Run@Rate events.
• Technical Compliance: Ensure all production processes meet quality specifications, including the development of PFMEA (Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) and standardized work instructions.
• Change Management: Lead the implementation of engineering changes, assessing the impact on the production line, costs, and timing.
• Budget Management: Oversee launch-related capital expenditure (CapEx), tooling budgets, and prototype build expenses; ensure strict budget adherence.
• Resource Planning: Coordinate with plant management to identify necessary skill sets and training requirements to support new production processes.

Financial & Resource Oversight

• Create and maintain detailed industrialization plans as assigned per the Fluids Program Launch Dashboard

• Maintain launch budget check book updates to support program management financial reporting

• Finalize completion of Pilot integration into Fluids PMP process.

• 100% pilot / launch process integration and training on all programs (one system/one process)

• Support 100% Pilot implementation/reporting in EVP

• Launch Manager to lead Pilot KPI reviews and align on pilot/launch red issues and output is an aligned Level 2 & Level 3 report showing red KPI's

• Red issues are then reported out in Fluids EVP mtgs

• Lead plant functional team members and support program managers to execute pilot launch plan activities

• Lead launch readiness reviews (Pilot/launch Audits) per 2026 Program audit Schedule

• Lead plant Obeya room setup per Fluids PMP standard and ensure bi-weekly update per EVP reporting standard

• Support development of reporting of Industrialization process key indicators

• Provide functional team member training as required per the Fluids PMP and Industrialization process

• Provide Customer support on an as needed basis.

• Develop site (integrator) specific standard functional deliverable plans and tracking.

• Ensure standard reporting of industrialization activities to support EVP reporting per the Fluids standard

Background check and pre-employment drug screen required for employment opportunity.