Program Launch Manager

Key duties include but are not limited to:

• Leadership of the cross-functional operations organization to support the Program Manager in the delivery of the long-term program objectives and in delivery of multiple short-term tasks that are the responsibility of the operations organization as it relates to new product launches.  Key interfaces within the operations and quality organizations which will be led by the Launch Manager will typically be from the following departments:
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Logistic
• Maintenance
• Production
• Sample technicians
• HSE
• Quality (SQA, Project Quality Assurance, plant quality engineer).
• Ensuring technical support is provided by the operations organization to the program team during New Business Acquisition and New Product Introduction.  The Launch Manager leads a cross functional team in activities such as:
• Manufacturing feasibility
• Manufacturing inputs to the Cost Calculation such as (but not limited to) output rates, numbers of operators, OEE, Scrap.  This should be in support of New Business Acquisition and at regular intervals throughout the New Product Introduction.
• Availability of equipment and human resource and identification of capacity constraints and options for their mitigation
• Equipment and tool investments required
• Troubleshooting and problem resolution.
• Providing information such as equipment and tools that need to be purchased, material usages, cycle times, manning levels, project quality documents to other KA departments to enable them to perform their New Business Acquisition and New Product Introduction responsibilities effectively such that KA provides the optimized solution to any issue or opportunity.  Outside of the operations organization the Launch Manager would be expected to work directly and frequently with:
• Program Manager
• Key Account Manager
• Purchasing
• Design Engineering and laboratory
• Financial controllers and accounting
• Supplier Quality
• Interacting with people outside the company, such as but not limited to customers and suppliers of materials, parts, tools, and equipment.  The Launch Manager can be expected to engage in external communications regarding but not limited to project timing, installation plans, technical proposals, and customer project audits.  Written, verbal and presenting skills are expected to be used by the Launch Manager in support of New Business Acquisition and New Product Introduction both internally and externally.
• Ensuring that the operations organization is consulting with colleagues in similar disciplines in other KA locations to ensure global best practices are being considered and where possible implemented.  Furthermore, the Launch Manager should ensure that investments in new production equipment for New Product Introduction are consistent with the product and technology roadmaps and the approved project mandate.
• Ensuring that project tools such as, but not limited to Control Plans, PFMEA’s, Work Instructions that are the responsibility of the operations organization are appropriately resourced and prepared.
• Ensuring that the operations organization remains within the project budgets provided and that during New Product Introduction financial forecasts and alternative options for the program manager are provided for consideration.
• Arranging production of parts for program build events using off-line and mass-production processes according to appropriate New Product Introduction milestones.
• Coordinating the operations organization to implement design changes or product enhancements during New Product Introduction, ensuring that BOM and inventory are appropriately managed to minimize cost and inventory.