New Product Introduction Manager

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Drive all production launch activities for new or revised product(s) into the factory/factories. Clear target is to meet or exceed project/program timing milestones with a “non-event launch” mentality  
• Effectively manage the NPI team you are appointed to lead (potentially composed of Program Managers, Project Managers, Project Engineers, and Technicians). Set each team member of the group up for success provide guidance, coaching, and criticism (both positive/negative) as required to achieve group goals 
• Resource management for area of responsibility 
• Build performance plans for your respective team.  Able to performance manage individuals accordingly 
• Ensure that NPI processes and guidelines are followed in all doings 
• Iterate current; establish and develop new processes related to NPI operations as business needs change 
• Lead project status/decision making reviews at an executive level 
• Provide clear project direction and status to the support functions.  Able to facilitate key decision-making forums 
• Clear, frequent communication between peers and other work groups to ensure project performance is clear Provide updates on status, gaps to performance requirements, and action plans to achieve requirements within project timing and design/budget constraints 
• Interact, integrate, and drive results across cross-functional teams in engineering, supply chain, quality, production, and executive leadership 

Job Requirements

• Production Operations Knowledge: Has a firm understanding of how complex production lines operate including key items such as industrial workings between facilities/departments, line balance, OEE, error proofing, etc. 
• DFM (Design for manufacture): Experienced at assessing manufacturability and able to clearly articulate issues and propose resolutions.  A key indicator of success is driving this feedback upstream and achieving root cause resolution 
• Extremely knowledgeable of how material moves through the supply chain and throughout the factory.  This includes everything from placement of an order, receiving of material, pull of material to the line, consumption of the material and delivery of the final product.  Understanding of how to structure a configurable MBOM and associated order structure 
• Clear understanding of how the manufacturing validation process runs in relation to new products (methodology, validation plans, associated KPIs).  Able to facilitate continuous development and betterment of process 
• Able to develop and sustain resource management plans in regard to current and future planned tasks 
• Outstanding problem-solving skills; adverse in various problem-solving methodologies 
• Deep understanding of production line layout, flow and modeling 
• Ten plus (10+) years’ (Mgr.) experience in automotive, high tech, or other high volume/high complexity manufacturing in a similar capacity coupled with demonstration of exceptionable ability 
• Five plus (5+) years’ (Mgr.) experience directly managing people in engineering or similar project management capacities 
• Degree in Engineering, or equivalent experience