Automotive Launch Program Lead — Ramp & Readiness

Actalent; Sparta (TN); On-site; USD 72,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Onsite work environment

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Plant Launch Program Manager for our Sparta, TN site to lead automotive program launches and production ramp-ups. You will coordinate Run at Rate activities, pilot builds, and readiness validations, ensuring alignment across operations, engineering, quality, logistics, and purchasing.

The ideal candidate has strong program management experience in automotive manufacturing, knowledge of APQP/PPAP processes, and a proven ability to drive milestones and risk mitigation on a

Qualifications

• Experience in automotive manufacturing environments with plant-level program launches and ramp-ups.
• Strong program management skills for coordinating complex cross-functional activities.
• Experience working with manufacturing engineering teams in automotive settings.
• Hands-on launch support experience (R@R, pilot builds, readiness validations).
• Knowledge of APQP processes and PPAP deliverables in automotive manufacturing.
• Understanding of automotive quality standards and their impact on launch planning and production.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams across operations, engineering, quality, logistics, purchasing, and CI.
• Strong analytical skills to identify risks and track performance metrics.
• Excellent communication and reporting skills for dashboards and stakeholder updates.
• Ability to maintain focus on launch glidepaths, timing, and deliverables in fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and execute build events, including R@R validation and pilot builds.
• Lead plant-level launch execution to ensure ramp-up and target cycle times.
• Develop capacity ramp-up plans to align with demand at SOP and steady-state production.
• Drive accountability across functions to meet launch deliverables and timelines.
• Identify and mitigate launch barriers impacting readiness, quality, cost, or delivery.
• Lead Launch Readiness Review meetings with cross-functional teams and secure approvals.
• Monitor launch budget and cost, driving cost-effective solutions.
• Coordinate logistics readiness and ensure material flow aligns with gate requirements.
• Ensure compliance with program gate requirements for on-time delivery to line.
• Publish launch performance reports for up to three months post-SOP.
• Maintain launch dashboards and provide visibility into readiness and risks.
• Drive continuous improvement of launch processes and tools based on lessons learned.
• Collaborate with engineering and CI teams to integrate design and process improvements into launches.
• Coordinate with quality and manufacturing engineering on APQP/PPAP deliverables.

Skills

Automotive manufacturing experience

Program management

Manufacturing engineering teamwork

Launch support activities

APQP knowledge

PPAP knowledge

Quality standards

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical skills

Communication & reporting

Launch glidepaths

Job description

Actalent is seeking a Plant Launch Program Manager for our Sparta, TN site to lead automotive program launches and production ramp-ups. You will coordinate Run at Rate activities, pilot builds, and readiness validations, ensuring alignment across operations, engineering, quality, logistics, and purchasing.

The ideal candidate has strong program management experience in automotive manufacturing, knowledge of APQP/PPAP processes, and a proven ability to drive milestones and risk mitigation on a