Automotive Launch Lead: Product Ramp-Up & Ops

Johnson Electric; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 105,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Global presence

Career advancement

Employee empowerment

Diverse projects

Job summary

Johnson Electric in Ancaster, Ontario is seeking a Launch Manager to lead planning, development, and execution of new product launches from concept to production start-up. You’ll manage cross-functional teams and drive capital equipment projects to meet quality, cost, timing, and safety goals.

This role requires 2–3 years in automotive manufacturing and project management, with hands-on experience in machining, automated assembly, and capital-equipment procurement.

Qualifications

• Two to three years of experience in automotive manufacturing and project or program management.
• Experience with machining, automated assembly, injection molding, or metal-stamping operations.
• Strong knowledge of APQP, PPAP, Run at Rate, capacity studies, and automotive quality requirements.
• Working knowledge of IATF 16949.
• Proficiency in GD&T and technical drawing interpretation.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes such as casting, machining, grinding, deburring, washing, and assembly.
• Experience with capital-equipment procurement, supplier management, and project implementation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of new product launches.
• Develop and maintain project timelines, milestones, deliverables, and launch-readiness plans.
• Coordinate safe-launch activities and production ramp-up requirements.
• Serve as Project Team Lead for major plant-launch activities.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Maintenance.
• Drive the implementation of new machining cells, assembly equipment, and automation systems.
• Ensure new manufacturing solutions meet quality, safety, capacity, and operational-efficiency requirements.
• Manage capital-equipment acquisition, including specifications, supplier selection, procurement, installation, and commissioning.
• Coordinate APQP activities, PPAP submissions, Run at Rate studies, capacity analyses, and customer deliverables.
• Lead equipment debugging, run-off, validation, and manufacturing-process implementation.
• Drive assigned projects through successful PPAP approval and customer acceptance.
• Monitor project costs, timing, risks, resources, and open actions.
• Develop and implement risk-mitigation and recovery strategies when required.
• Track machine utilization and identify capacity gaps and future equipment requirements.
• Support capital planning for new manufacturing equipment.
• Assist with Bill of Materials development, product-cost analysis, and project financial evaluations.
• Facilitate project meetings, document decisions, and track action items through completion.
• Manage production-line transfers between facilities while minimizing operational disruption.
• Maintain clear communication with customers, suppliers, leadership, and internal stakeholders.
• Promote internal customer satisfaction and continuous improvement throughout the launch process.
• Ensure compliance with Quality, Safety, and Environmental Management Systems.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

APQP/PPAP knowledge

GD&T interpretation

Manufacturing processes

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Microsoft Project

Job description

Johnson Electric in Ancaster, Ontario is seeking a Launch Manager to lead planning, development, and execution of new product launches from concept to production start-up. You’ll manage cross-functional teams and drive capital equipment projects to meet quality, cost, timing, and safety goals.

This role requires 2–3 years in automotive manufacturing and project management, with hands-on experience in machining, automated assembly, and capital-equipment procurement.