Launch Manager

Adient US LLC; West Point (GA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Adient US LLC in West Point, GA is seeking a Program Manager to drive new programs and plant projects, ensuring timely, cost-effective design changes. You will lead cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, and quality, coordinating trials, approvals, and implementations.

The role emphasizes PLUS-based program launches, VA/VE activities, and rigorous progress tracking to meet fiscal year objectives, with strong emphasis on documentation and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field is required.
• Experience in automotive or manufacturing change-management disciplines preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and coordinate cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Support plant safety programs and ensure integration of HSE, Engineering, and Operations in change implementation.
• Manage new programs based on the Program Launch System (PLUS).
• Support VA/VE activities by coordinating engineering, operations, and quality during trials and approvals.
• Develop and present make vs. buy proposals and track cost-reduction efforts.
• Create reports and tracking files to manage projects and provide management updates.

Skills

Project management

Change management

Program launch support

Cost reduction

Report generation

PLM Team Center

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

PLM Team Center

eLPA

5S audits

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary:

Support the plant and customer through effective management of new programs, plant projects and implementation of improvement and cost reduction suggestions. Assure design changes are implemented in a timely cost-effective manner.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support plant safety programs by ensuring that HSE, Engineering support, & Operations is involved with the change implementation into the manufacturing process.
• Complete eLPA & 5S audits as assigned.
• New program management based on the Program Launch System (PLUS) as detailed in the PLUS BOS documentation.
• Support VA/VE activities by ensuring that Engineering, Operations, and Quality is represented at all trials, approvals and implementation dates are achieved.
• Establish/evaluate internal integration plans by completing make vs. buy plans and present proposals.
• Facilitate and track material cost reduction activities
• Manage changes within profit plan parameters for fiscal year
• Follow and ensure BOS processes are followed to achieve launch and change management objectives and milestones
• Input feedback to warranty issues
• Feedback estimated EO implementation dates as well as actual dates and clean point VIN numbers to KMMG production control/ procurement and quality.
• Attend all weekly Adient Simultaneous Development Team (SDT) meetings for JIT, foam and trim where proposed changes are reviewed and promoted or rejected
• Review, approve and communicate deviations, change requests & change notices, utilizing the Adient PLM Team Center system.
• Create reports, presentations, and tracking files to properly manage projects, changes and provide management updates
• Coordinate & manage seat / part shipments per request of Adient engineering. This includes the following steps:

• Capture part number, qty, purpose, requestor & record in tracking spreadsheet
• Send information to plant Materials team so that consumed inventory can be accounted for
• Send information to plant Finance team to ensure expenses are recovered from Engineering via the IC3 process
• Procure shipping boxes needed for for shipment to Plymouth or Korea
• Conduct training and provide instructions for proper methods used to box and palletize seats for shipment to US and overseas locations

Qualification Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this position description are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly supervises hourly Master Builders as assigned for new program launch activities, trial builds, training, & materials disposition. Indirectly manages salaried team members cross-functionally to ensure adequate support is engaged with implementing Engineering changes, executing launch activities, and achieving improvements.

Education and Experience:

B.S. Degree in Engineering or a related field. Three to five years automotive experience. Preferable experience as a project manager encompassing manufacturing change-management disciplines

Language Skills:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, blueprints and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.

Other Skills and Abilities:

Must be computer literate and familiar with appropriate software programs. Ability to

create visual aids for communication purposes.

The job description outlined above is not intended to be a detailed list of job functions or responsibilities. It outlines the essential functions of the job. An individual may be required to perform other duties from time to time. The company reserves the right to amend, change or delete the contents of this description.

PRIMARY LOCATION

West Point Facility