Launch Manager

Minth North America; East Tawas (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Minth North America in East Tawas, MI is seeking a Launch Manager to lead the introduction of new automotive products. You will coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure launches are on time, within budget, and meet customer quality requirements.

This role acts as the primary escalation point during the launch phase. Responsibilities include transfer of programs from Minth China, plant readiness, PPAP/APQP, FMEA, and cost control.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Mechanical, Automotive, or related field.
• 5-8 years of project management experience in automotive manufacturing.
• Experience introducing new projects to manufacturing plants.
• Automotive parts industry experience, battery enclosures/structural components.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, and control plans.
• Familiarity with TS16949/IATF16949 quality systems.
• English proficiency for daily communication with US plant team and customers.

Responsibilities

• Lead transfer of new programs from Minth China R&D/Program teams to the US plant.
• Organize cross-functional launch team to prepare for new program launch.
• Develop and maintain launch timelines aligned with milestones and plant readiness.
• Ensure completion of launch deliverables: APQP, PPAP, FMEA, control plans, and safe launch plans.
• Lead plant readiness, trial production, and process optimization.
• Serve as primary liaison between China program team and US plant operations, manage launch reviews and risks.
• Lead PPAP submission and obtain customer production approval; resolve quality issues.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional

APQP/PPAP

FMEA

Control plans

Quality systems

English language

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

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Launch Manager

Full Time Minth Tawas Manufacturing, East Tawas, MI, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 2952

Salary Range: $100,000.00 To $120,000.00 Annually

Our Engineering team is looking for a Launch Manager. We are looking for a dynamic and driven candidate who is interested in joining a fast-growing global company in the automotive sector.

The Launch Manager leads all activities related to the introduction of new automotive products and programs, ensuring launches are completed on time, within budget, and meet customer quality requirements. This position coordinates cross-functional teams and serves as the primary escalation point during the launch phase.

1. New Project Transfer & Launch Management

• Lead the transfer of new programs from Minth China R&D/Program teams to the US new plant
• Organize and lead cross-functional launch team (manufacturing engineering, quality, supply chain, production) to prepare for new program launch
• Develop and maintain comprehensive launch timelines aligned with customer milestones and plant readiness
• Ensure completion of all launch deliverables: APQP, PPAP, FMEA, control plans, and safe launch plans

2. Plant Readiness & Trial Production

• Lead plant-side process planning, line layout validation, and production trial runs
• Coordinate plant resources (personnel planning, material readiness, new equipment/ tooling/ fixture transfer, acceptance, and commissioning)
• Organize plant team training prior to launch and participate in production line acceptance
• Lead trial production builds, validate process parameters, optimize processes, and conduct capability studies

3. Cross-functional Coordination

• Serve as primary point of contact between China program team and US plant operations
• Lead regular launch review meetings, track open issues (LOP), elevate high-risk items to management
• Coordinate with supply chain to ensure component readiness for pilot and ramp-up builds

4. Quality & Customer Deliverables

• Lead PPAP submission and obtain customer production approval
• Drive resolution of quality issues and customer complaints during launch phase
• Ensure all customer-specific requirements are understood and met

5. Post-Launch Support & Ramp-Up

• Lead plant team to resolve launch issues and achieve production readiness metrics
• Support first 30-90 days of production to ensure stable quality and capacity ramp-up
• Document lessons learned and best practices for future launches
• Manage engineering changes post-launch

6. Cost & Budget Management

• Control project costs within budget, and achieve optimal profitability targets
• Track and report launch-related expenses

To be a qualified candidate, you must meet the following:

• Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Mechanical, Automotive, or related technical field
• Experience - minimum 5-8 years of project management experience in automotive manufacturing
• Must have experience in new project introduction to manufacturing plants (Required)
• Automotive parts industry experience, preferably with battery enclosures / structural components
• Strong understanding of automotive project development process (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, control plans)
• Familiar with TS16949/IATF16949 quality system
• Knowledge of relevant processes: aluminum extrusion, welding, machining, surface treatment, assembly
• Language: English proficiency required for daily communication with US plant team, customers, and Minth China

Key to being successful in this role:

• PMP certification
• Experience launching new plants or production lines (greenfield or brownfield)
• Experience with US OEM customers (Ford, GM, Stellantis, Tesla, etc.)

Why work for Minth? Here are the advantages of working at Minth.