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Launch Manager (Automotive)
POSITION OVERVIEW
A leading Tier 2 automotive supplier is seeking a Launch Manager to lead new program introductions and engineering changes at its manufacturing plant in Mexico. This role will coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure programs achieve customer milestones, production readiness, quality expectations, and financial objectives.
The successful candidate will bring strong automotive launch experience, hands-on manufacturing knowledge, and the ability to drive accountability across Engineering, Quality, Production, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and Finance.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
KEY COMPETENCIES
A leading Tier 2 automotive supplier is seeking a Launch Manager to lead new program introductions and engineering changes at its manufacturing plant in Mexico. This role will coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure programs achieve customer milestones, production readiness, quality expectations, and financial objectives.
The successful candidate will bring strong automotive launch experience, hands-on manufacturing knowledge, and the ability to drive accountability across Engineering, Quality, Production, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and Finance.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead new automotive programs from initial planning and feasibility assessment through start of production and production stabilization.
- Develop and maintain integrated launch plans covering milestones, deliverables, resources, budgets, risks, and contingency actions.
- Serve as the plant’s primary launch contact for customers, corporate program teams, equipment suppliers, and other stakeholders.
- Coordinate Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities and ensure timely completion of required customer deliverables and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submissions.
- Drive manufacturing readiness, including tooling, equipment installation, process validation, capacity verification, staffing, training, material availability, and production documentation.
- Coordinate prototype builds, production trials, run-at-rate activities, and customer readiness reviews.
- Ensure alignment among process flows, PFMEAs, control plans, work instructions, inspection methods, and actual shop-floor practices.
- Work with Quality and Engineering to resolve launch issues through structured problem-solving, corrective actions, and effective escalation.
- Monitor launch performance against targets for quality, delivery, scrap, productivity, capacity, and cost.
- Manage program changes, ensuring their effects on timing, tooling, materials, capacity, and cost are evaluated and communicated.
- Partner with Supply Chain to confirm supplier readiness, component availability, packaging, logistics, and inventory plans.
- Track launch spending and support achievement of approved capital and program budgets.
- Lead regular launch reviews, communicate status to plant leadership, and escalate risks that could affect customer commitments.
- Establish a formal handover to Production, with clear ownership of remaining actions and documented lessons learned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or a related field.
- At least five years of experience in automotive manufacturing, including direct responsibility for new program launches, industrialization, or technical program management.
- Demonstrated success leading automotive programs through start of production and ramp-up.
- Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, MSA, SPC, and automotive customer-specific requirements.
- Familiarity with IATF 16949 quality management requirements and their application to launch activities.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, tooling, equipment validation, capacity planning, and production controls.
- Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams and managing customer expectations.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical requirements.
- Strong project management, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Professional proficiency in English and Spanish.
- Availability to travel to customer and supplier locations as required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with a Tier 1 or Tier 2 automotive supplier serving customers in Mexico and the United States.
- Experience managing multiple launches or engineering changes simultaneously.
- Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, error-proofing, and structured problem-solving methods such as 8D.
- Experience with ERP systems and project scheduling tools.
- Experience managing tooling transfers, production transfers, or significant capacity expansions.
KEY COMPETENCIES
- Cross-functional leadership and accountability.
- Customer communication and negotiation.
- Risk identification and timely escalation.
- Hands-on execution and attention to detail.
- Ability to prioritize and make decisions under pressure.