Launch Manager

Launch Manager

As a key member of the plant leadership team, the Launch Manager is responsible for driving strategic direction and execution of all new business and product launches. This role leads cross-functional teams, aligns launch activities with organizational goals, and ensures that all deliverables meet or exceed company and customer expectations. The Launch Manager is a visible leader, championing operational excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement throughout the plant.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Provide vision and leadership for all launch activities, ensuring alignment with plant and corporate strategy. Serve as a key advisor to the Plant Manager and executive team on launch readiness, risk mitigation, and resource allocation.
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain to deliver successful launches. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Program Management: Oversee the quoting-to-launch process, ensuring all activities are executed with precision, timeliness, and financial discipline. Manage complex program timelines and resolve critical issues impacting launch success.
• Process Innovation: Champion the development and implementation of advanced manufacturing methods, equipment, and processes. Drive adoption of lean principles, digital tools, and best practices to optimize efficiency and quality.
• Customer Engagement: Serve as the primary point of contact for customers during launch phases. Ensure customer requirements are understood, communicated, and met. Lead critical events such as run-at-rate, PPAP, and MRDs
• Operational Excellence: Ensure all manufacturing and process engineering documentation is created, updated, and maintained to the highest standards. Oversee preventive maintenance, process flow diagrams, PFMEA, and tooling authorization.
• Continuous Improvement: Apply statistical methods and data-driven decision-making to solve problems and drive improvements. Lead cost reduction initiatives and support ISO 9001 & IATF 16949 certification efforts.
• Safety & Compliance: Uphold and advance health, safety, and housekeeping standards. Ensure compliance with all corporate and plant-level policies and regulations.

Required Education And/Or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in manufacturing or industrial engineering or related field
• 8 years in manufacturing or program management in the production environment
• Demonstrated success in leading complex product launches and cross-functional teams

Required Skills And Abilities:

• Strategic thinking and leadership
• Advanced knowledge of lean manufacturing and process optimization
• Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder management abilities
• Proficiency in project management and digital manufacturing tools (Word, Excel, Project, AutoCAD)

Required Decision-Making And Organization Impact:

• Must make decisions that have a significant impact on the timing and quality of the customer's product.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to the Plant Manager.

Working Conditions:

• Manufacturing atmosphere with time spent on the manufacturing floor and in an office environment.
• Must wear safety glasses with side shields and safety toe shoes when on the manufacturing floor.

Position Type: Regular

Additional Locations:

Additional Information: