HEAD OF LAUNCH & CHANGE MANAGEMENT

HELLA; Irapuato; Remote; MXN 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

FORVIA HELLA in IRAPUATO, GUANAJUATO is seeking a Head of Launch & Change Management to lead industrialization, launches and changes for both new and serial production projects. The role requires strategic oversight and strong cross-functional leadership within a global automotive context.

The position focuses on managing quotations, CAPEX planning, customer negotiations and ensuring milestones, timing and KPI achievement across Operations, Engineering, Quality and Supply Chain.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree is required.
• 10+ years of experience in industrialization, launch management or program management in automotive.
• Previous leadership in Launch & Change Management or similar role.
• Experience handling customer escalations and leading cross-functional teams.
• Advanced English skills.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, Lean Manufacturing and SAP.
• Experience with plastic injection molding and/or electronic manufacturing processes.
• Strong negotiation, conflict management and strategic leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Define the plant industrialization strategy with the Plant Manager.
• Lead all product launches and engineering changes for new and serial production projects.
• Manage quotations, CAPEX planning and customer negotiations.
• Ensure achievement of milestones, timing and financial KPIs.
• Drive cross-functional coordination between Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and customers.
• Develop and lead a team of Team Leaders and Project Managers.
• Manage customer escalations and ensure project execution from acquisition through SOP and series production.

Skills

Launch management

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Customer escalation handling

Strategic leadership

Negotiation

Conflict management

English proficiency

SAP knowledge

Lean manufacturing

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

SAP

APQP

PPAP

Job description

HEAD OF LAUNCH & CHANGE MANAGEMENT

Location IRAPUATO, GUANAJUATO

FORVIA HELLA is a listed international automotive supplier. As a company of the FORVIA Group, FORVIA HELLA stands for high-performance lighting technology and vehicle electronics and, with the Lifecycle Solutions Business Group, also covers a broad service and product portfolio for the spareparts and workshop business as well as for manufacturers of special vehicles. With currently around 34,000 employees at over 125 locations, the company is active worldwide and generated adjusted sales of €8.0 billion in the fiscal year 2025.

YOUR TASKS

• Define the plant industrialization strategy together with the Plant Manager.
• Lead all product launches and engineering changes for new and serial production projects.
• Manage quotations, CAPEX planning and customer negotiations.
• Ensure achievement of project milestones, timing and financial KPIs.
• Drive cross-functional coordination between Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and customers.
• Develop and lead a team of Team Leaders and Project Managers.
• Manage customer escalations and ensure successful project execution from acquisition through SOP and series production.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

• Engineering degree required.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in industrialization, launch management or program management within the automotive industry.
• Previous leadership experience in Launch & Change Management or a comparable role.
• Strong experience handling customer escalations and leading cross-functional teams.
• Advanced English skills.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, Lean Manufacturing and SAP.
• Experience with plastic injection molding and/or electronic manufacturing processes.
• Strong negotiation, conflict management and strategic leadership skills.

FORVIA HELLA stands for the variety of all employees. Inclusion and diversity are firmly anchored in our company culture. We are continuously looking for new team players and welcome applications from all interested parties, regardless of their ethical and social background, age, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation or identity.

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