Launch Manager

American Axle & Mfg., Inc.; Newton (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Dauch Corporation is seeking a Launch Manager to lead time, budget, and activity planning for new automotive programs in Newton, NC. This onsite role requires proactive leadership, strong risk management, and excellence in delivering launches that meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets.

The successful candidate will drive cross-functional collaboration, manage plant launch teams, coordinate with suppliers and customers, and implement improved program management practices to ensure

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years of progressive experience in program/project management or launch management within the automotive manufacturing industry.
• Experience leading new launch programs and working with automotive Tier 1 or OEM environments.
• Ability to diagnose launch issues using structured problem solving tools.
• Experience with change control processes and budget/cost analyses.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in engineering, management, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Disseminates information within assigned work teams.
• Maintains contact with suppliers and customers across Dauch sites.
• Provides interface from plants to Corporate/Regional Program Management.
• Monitors timing on plant launch activities.
• Leads PLT to successful launches and drives cross-functional collaboration.
• Assists in implementing new Program Management practices and procedures.
• Drives cost-out through negotiation and productivity initiatives.
• Tracks timing and reports variances to baseline.
• Organizes build events and coordinates cross-functional resources.

Skills

Problem solving mindset

Change control management

Budget control & cost analysis

Automotive Tier 1 / OEM experience

7-10+ years program/project management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

Launch Manager

Job Description Summary

Dauch is looking for a Launch Manager to join our team in Newton, NC. This is a fully onsite role. The Launch Manager manages overall project timing milestones, budget and required activities to support new programs. The ideal candidate is a proactive leader who thrives in a fast-paced automotive environment, effectively manages risk, drives cross-functional collaboration, and consistently delivers flawless product launches that meet customer expectations for safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

Job Description:

• Disseminates information within assigned work teams.
• Maintains constant contact with others outside the work group at all Dauch sites, including suppliers and customers.
• Provides informational interface from all Dauch plants to Corporate/Regional Program Management.
• Monitors adherence to timing on all plant related launch activities.
• Participates in all reviews with key suppliers.
• Leads the plant level Program Launch Teams PLT to a successful launch by stimulating interaction between functional groups and challenging team members to contribute proactively to the program's success, providing tools that promote controlled and measurable progress toward program goals.
• Assists in the implementation of new Program Management practices and procedures.
• Assists Product Engineering in managing plant prototype delivery through rallying additional Dauch resources.
• Drives responsible groups to drive cost out through negotiation and productivity for the benefit of the program and Dauch overall.
• Maintains constant contact with others inside the work group.
• Tracks timing; analyzes and reports variances to baseline and prepares exception reports.
• Organizes build events, coordinates cross functional resources to ensure participation and proper coverage.
• Actively supports Regional Program Managers in the planning and execution of the program.
• Tracks product engineering design and/or manufacturing process changes to ensure proper implementation during startup.
• Leads implementation of product and process changes in the plant.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for launch related activities both internally and with the customer.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 7-10+ years of progressive experience in program project management or launch management within the automotive manufacturing industry, as well as experience leading new launch programs.
• Automotive Tier 1 or OEM experience.
• Problem solving mindset; ability to utilize problem solving tools to diagnose and analyze launch issues within the plant.
• Change control management skills.
• Budget control and cost analysis skills and experience.

About Dauch:

Dauch Corporation is a premier Driveline and Metal Forming supplier serving the global automotive industry with a powertrain-agnostic product portfolio that supports electric, hybrid, and internal combustion vehicles. The company is headquartered in Detroit, MI, with operations that span 24 countries and more than 175 locations. Formed through the acquisition of Dowlais Group plc and its subsidiaries - GKN Automotive and GKN Powder Metallurgy, Dauch unites deep engineering roots with global manufacturing capabilities and an entrepreneurial spirit to move mobility forward. Visit www.dauch.com to learn more.

Dauch will not discriminate against any Associate or applicant for employment because of age, race, color, gender, religion, weight, height, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, or other characteristic protected by law. Dauch will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that Associates are treated equally during employment, without regard to their age, race, color, gender, religion, weight, height, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, or other characteristic protected by law. For the Disabled Job Seeker: We offer reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled individuals who are applicants for employment. To request assistance or accommodations, please e-mail [e-mail]. Dauch is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.