HEAD OF LAUNCH & CHANGE MANAGEMENT

FORVIA HELLA; Irapuato; On-site; MXN 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

FORVIA HELLA is seeking a senior leader for plant industrialization in Irapuato, Guanajuato. The role requires steering product launches from development through serial production, coordinating with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain, and leading a team of project managers and team leaders.

Strong negotiation and cross-functional leadership are essential, as is extensive experience in automotive industrialization.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree is required.
• At least 10 years in industrialization, launch management or program management in automotive.
• Leadership experience in Launch & Change Management or similar roles.
• Strong track record 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 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 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.

Skills

Launch management

Cross-functional leadership

Negotiation

Lean manufacturing

APQP/PPAP

English proficiency

Team leadership

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

SAP

Job description

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 spare parts 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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