Launch Manager

The Recruiting Hive; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Recruiting Hive client seeks an experienced Launch Manager to lead new product launches, engineering changes, and customer program transfers in an automotive plastic injection molding environment.

You will serve as primary liaison between customers and internal teams to ensure launches meet quality, cost, and timing targets, driving APQP/PPAP activities and readiness reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of automotive manufacturing experience.
• Minimum 3 years of project/launch management or operations leadership.
• Experience in plastic injection molding preferred.
• Strong knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, and IATF 16949.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Willing and able to travel as necessary.
• Proficient in CAD software and project management tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead all activities related to new product launches and transfers.
• Develop and maintain launch timelines and project plans.
• Coordinate APQP and PPAP activities.
• Lead cross-functional launch meetings and readiness reviews.
• Manage customer-specific launch requirements.
• Coordinate engineering changes and product transfers.
• Ensure manufacturing readiness including tooling, equipment, staffing, training.
• Support production trials, mold qualifications, and run-at-rate activities.
• Monitor launch budgets and capital expenditures.
• Conduct post-launch reviews and continuous improvement.

Skills

Launch management

Project management

Leadership

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

CAD software

Microsoft Office

PM tools

Job description

Our client is seeking an experienced LaunchManager to join the team. This position is responsible for leading and coordinating all aspects of new product launches, engineering changes, and customer program transfers within an automotive plastic injection molding manufacturing environment. This position serves as the primary liaison between customers and internal departments to ensure successful launches meeting quality, cost, and timing requirements.

Our client has been a leading source of plastics manufacturing, supplying the automotive industry for over 40 years. Through highly technical research and development, coupled with a diverse and knowledgeable Management Team and dedicated Associates, they have continued to grow each year. We provide customers with a wide range of full-service support from black-box design concepts to highly engineered composites, TPE’s and TPO’s as well as specialized extrusion and compression technologies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Lead all activities associated with new product launches and program transfers.
• Develop and maintain launch timelines and project plans.
• Coordinate APQP and PPAP activities.
• Lead cross-functional launch meetings and readiness reviews.
• Manage customer-specific launch requirements.
• Coordinate engineering changes and product transfers.
• Ensure manufacturing readiness including tooling, equipment, staffing, and training.
• Support production trials, mold qualifications, and run-at-rate activities. Monitor launch budgets and capital expenditures.
• Conduct post-launch reviews and continuous improvement activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of automotive manufacturing experience.
• Minimum 3 years of project management, launch management, engineering, or operations leadership experience.
• Experience in plastic injection molding preferred.
• Strong knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, and IATF 16949.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Willing and able to travel as necessary
• Proficient in CAD software, and project management tools

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Ability to stand, walk, sit, talk or hear. Ability to lift 5 - 50 pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. These conditions include:

• This position operates in an industrial manufacturing environment with uncontrolled temperatures.
• This role routinely involves standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• Will have some exposure to loud noise, hot and cold temperatures in manufacturing plants.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401k with company match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Flexible Spending Account
• Life Insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral Program
• Job Promotional Opportunities
• Climate controlled environment

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer - all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.