Launch Manager

Dauch; North Carolina; On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Dauch is seeking a Launch Manager for the Alamance Manufacturing Facility in Mebane, NC. This fully onsite role oversees timing, budget and activities to support new programs, driving flawless launches that meet safety, quality, delivery and cost targets.

The ideal candidate brings 7–10+ years in automotive program/launch management, with strong cross-functional leadership and supply chain collaboration to deliver successful plant launches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 7–10+ years of progressive program/project management or launch management experience in automotive manufacturing.
• Automotive Tier 1 or OEM experience.
• Strong problem solving mindset with ability to diagnose and analyze launch issues.
• Experience with change control management.
• Budget control and cost analysis experience.

Responsibilities

• Disseminates information within assigned work teams.
• Maintains contact with suppliers and customers across Dauch sites.
• Interfaces with Corporate/Regional Program Management.
• Monitors timing on plant launch activities.
• Participates in reviews with key suppliers.
• Leads PLT to ensure a successful launch with cross-functional collaboration.
• Supports implementation of new Program Management practices.
• Assists Product Engineering with prototype delivery and resource mobilization.
• Drives cost-out through negotiation and productivity improvements.
• Tracks timing and reports variances to baseline.
• Organizes build events and coordinates cross-functional coverage.
• Supports Regional Program Managers in planning and execution.
• Tracks design/manufacturing changes to ensure proper startup implementation.
• Leads implementation of product/process changes in plant.
• Serves as primary contact for launch activities internally and with customers.
• All other duties as assigned.

Skills

Program management

Automotive experience

Problem solving

Change control

Budget & cost analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Job Description Summary

Dauch is looking for a Launch Manager to join our team in Mebane, NC at our Alamance Manufacturing Facility. This is a fully onsite role.

Job Posting Title

Launch Manager

Job Description Summary

The Launch Manager manages overall project timing milestones, budget and required activities to support new programmes.

The ideal candidate is a proactive leader who thrives in a fast-pace 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.