Manager Launch

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) is the global leader in automotive interiors. YFAI is redefining how people relax, work and play in their vehicle interiors today and decades from now. Headquartered in Shanghai, the company has 114 manufacturing plants and technical centers in 20 countries and more than 33,000 employees globally. They design, develop and manufacture interior components for all automakers. Established in 2015, Yanfeng Automotive Interiors is a joint venture between Yanfeng Automotive Trim Systems Co., Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Huayu Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. (HASCO), the component group of SAIC Motor Corporation Limited (SAIC Motor), and Adient, the global leader in automotive seating. For more information, please visit www.YFAI.com.

Main Responsibilities

• Responsible for assuring new launches achieve zero safety and quality incidents, zero delivery issues, 100% on target to our financial commitments and 90 days into production. 
• Facilitate hand off of new product/equipment/processes ("launch") from launch team to plant leadership team through the use of the following processes, procedures, work instructions and forms: Launch Glide path, Launch Readiness Reviews, R@R's, Process Sign-Off1, Process Sing-Off 2 and Launch performance report.
• Utilize the Launch Glide path to systematically drive actions and accountability to required tasks and deliverables to the predetermined program timeline. Report Launch Glide path status to launch team, Plant staff and NA leadership team through Launch Performance Reports.
• Drive / coordinate the schedule for preproduction builds, power builds, and burst builds, prepare the plant for successful first time Run at Rate.
• Lead 3 Launch Readiness Reviews in phase 4. Document open issues, actions, owners and dates. Align with Program Manager on what meeting (Launch or Plant glide path/ PSO) will track and follow through on all open issues. Drive open issues to closure to accommodate successful launch.
• Facilitate Run at Rate event(s) 90 days prior to SOP. Internal and external events to validate overall plant readiness to perform to expectation (safety, quality, delivery, financial) at or Before SOP. 
• Facilitate Red Flag review with leadership team if a successful Run at Rate is not achieved 90 days prior to SOP. Identify open issues, actions, owners and dates to review with leadership. Follow up required until closed and Run at Rate is successful.
• Lead Process sign off reviews (1 & 2) with the plants prior to SOP. Utilize the Process Sign-Off procedure and documentation to drive weekly meetings within the plant and its staff. Slowly transitioning from the Launch team meeting to an internal plant meeting, led by the Launch Manager.  Identify open issues, actions, owners and dates to be reviewed / updated / closed weekly.
• Manage the launch cost budget with the Launch team and the plant to ensure appropriate and timely spending of predetermined funds. If deviation is required, elevate to program and plant leadership for direction. Ensure Launch costs budgets are forecasted by plant for current and future years.
• Ensure that Monthly Management Operations Review data is compiled and reported to plant leadership team and NA launch Director (data to include, Top issues, action plans and timing).
• Ensure 100% conformance to the plant assigning / utilizing "Launch Core Teams". Ensure plant core team is aligned to launch core team for appropriate handoff. Guide and mentor the Core Team members to meet all Launch Objectives and ensure a Successful Launch.
• Ensure Plant Leadership team is trained in Launch process and their role in the Launch process.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assures plant has all support needed from internal organization to launch plant/product successfully. Must eliminate any "roadblocks" which may hinder plant achieving goals.
• Launch Managers must be prepared to coordinate multiple launches simultaneously.         
• Provide Plant Manager and Regional Launch Manager feedback on new staffing decision and performance of plant staff personnel as necessary.
• Assist Plant Materials team in completing customer specific capacity data sheets. Utilizing corporate capacity planning data, transpose into customer required documentation.
• Initiate "Red Flag" process when launch is missing key launch deliverables, such as quality or timing elements.
• Other duties as assigned

Essential Common Requirements

• Quality System: Understand, apply and meet all function-related Quality requirements. 
• Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS): Understand, apply and meet all function-related EHS requirements.
• Product Safety: Understand, apply and meet all function-related Product Safety requirements.
• Compliance: Understand, apply and meet all function-related Compliance requirements.
• Information Security: Understand, apply and meet all function-related IT / Information Security and confidentiality of YFAI information requirements.
• Must comply with all company policies and procedures. 
• Employee must have the ability to work additional hours and / or overtime as needed or assigned to complete job duties on time.
• Ability to multitask, interact politely and professionally with customers, suppliers and vendors, and work cooperatively with employees at all levels.
• Ability to maintain predictable and regular attendance, arrive to designated location on time, or be at assigned location ready to work for assignment (plant, corporate office, or remote).

Required Education Level

Bachelor's Level Degree in Engineering, Business or Similar

Required Qualifications

3-5 Minimum Years of Experience within the field. 

• Must have new product launch experience in a functional discipline or operational leadership experience in a plant.
• Must have solid problem-solving skills (preferably Problem-Solving tool knowledge: KT, Six Sigma, 8D, etc).
• Must be able and willing to travel and work at customer sites, including industrial manufacturing plants which might require climbing, lifting, or working in confined spaces.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred experience with program or project management. General understanding of timelines, timeline software.
• Preferred experience with interiors manufacturing processes (I.e., Injection Molding, Vacuum forming, Slush, Airbag scoring).
• Preferred experience with materials and logistics (I.e., ERP, QAD).

Physical Ability Requirements

Stationary Position (Sitting or Standing):                            Frequently

Movement (Walking):                                                           Constantly

Carry Weight (Lifting up to 40 lbs):                                     Frequently

Communication (Seeing/Talking/Hearing):                         Constantly

Use Hands/Fingers (Operate computer, printer, phone):    Frequently