Manager, Trim Engineering

Adient; Plymouth (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Adient Plymouth, MI, seeks an experienced Trim Engineering Manager to lead the trim design and processes for a seating business unit. You will provide technical direction to trim engineers and technicians, oversee design reviews, DFMEAs, and ensure alignment with cost, time, and quality targets.

You will coordinate with global programs and CS groups, champion best practices, manage the trim budget, and mentor staff.

Qualifications

• Leads trim product development and design reviews.
• Deep knowledge of trim patterns and interface with foam.
• Experience with DFMEA and cost/timing objectives.

Responsibilities

• Leads trim product development for a seating business unit.
• Leads trim design reviews and open issues meetings.
• Ensures trim best practices and processes are applied.
• Reviews DFMEAs and ensures action plans for high risks.
• Designs trim patterns aligned with interfaces and guidelines.
• Coaches 2D pattern design using Optitex and Lectra.
• Provides engineering solutions based on data and BEP.
• Develops and implements trim design solutions meeting quality and cost targets.
• Supports manufacturing feasibility and trims data approvals in TPDM/PLM.
• Manages resource plans to meet program deliverables.

Skills

Technical leadership

Trim design

DFMEA

TPDM/PLM

Cost & timing targets

Team coaching

Optitex

Lectra

Tools

Optitex 2D CAD

Lectra

PLM systems

Job description

The Trim Engineering Manager manages the trim design and processes for a seating business unit. Provides technical leadership, develops the technical skills and knowledge and provides technical direction to the trim engineers and technicians on the team. Develops and provides resolution to customer trim technical issues through continuous interaction. Provides front line technical customer interface for trim, phases 1-6.

Provides technical directions to trim engineers, technicians and support personnel. Approves all trim technical issues and works with team to ensure time, cost objectives and product performance are met. Understands and identifies the resource requirements to meet program/product objectives. Manage trim resources to maximize utilization, identifying the right resource for the task to meet program deliverables. Promotes and facilitates the use of best practices. Develops and manages the trim engineering budget. Capable of communicating effectively with all management levels.

Provides support for global programs (as required) by leveraging lessons learned and experience accumulated during development. Facilitates and provides feedback for manufacturing feasibility if the program is manufactured in this region. Capable of communicating and building relationships with global teams for global programs.

Specific Functions - Technical Responsibilities:

• Leads trim product development for a seating business unit.
• Leads trim design reviews and open issues meetings.
• Ensures trim best practices and processes are applied appropriately.
• Reviews and ensures that DFMEAs are completed/updated prior to release of tooling. Ensures that all high RPNs have been designed out or have a corrective action plan.
• Designs trim patterns aligned with the trim, foam interface template and follows Design for Assembly guidelines.
• Maintains strong working knowledge of trim cover construction process.
• Coaches principles of 2D pattern design using manual patterns, Optitex 2D CAD tools and Lectra as appropriate.
• Provides engineering solutions based on data driven problem solving and application of the Basic Engineering Process (BEP).
• Develops and implements trim design solutions that meet quality, cost and craftsmanship objectives.
• Provides/influences complete seat and foam engineering input/direction to jointly achieve flawless seat appearance and craftsmanship.
• Supports complete seat build events.
• Recommends solutions to process issues within the sew and JIT facilities. Supports creation of manufacturing ODS documentation.
• Maintains strong working knowledge of equipment used in trim cover creation (NC cutter, sewing machines etc.).
• Approves release of trim data in TPDM and PLM, including all required documentation, drawings, etc. Approves trim changes and deviations in TPDM and PLM.
• Reviews cost, performance, timing and investment versus customer targets with their core team members (PM, AFM). Ensure that the product meets internal and external targets and specifications. Ensures that a complete corrective action plan is in place (and agreed to with the core SDT) when the product is not conforming to expectations (including timing).

Specific Functions - Administrative Responsibilities:

• Plans and executions all PLUS trim engineering deliverables for on time gate exits (cost, ED&D, requirements, manufacturability, EBOM, drawings, etc.)
• Negotiates directly with the customer to resolve trim issues.
• Provides clear direction from the voice of the customer to internal engineering groups.
• Manages issue resolution, aligned to the Adient PLUS & customer timelines. Integrates design development with all CS groups (foam, materials, metals, mechanisms, plastics, comfort and SMTEs).
• Supports the Director of Engineering and Platform Director in resolving customer and business unit trim issues and helps drive the integration of the SDT into the product development process.
• Coordinates activities with Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, etc. to support successful program execution and launch readiness.
• Uses and applies all Adient standards and systems (PLUS, Lean, CPP, PLM, BEP).
• Possesses working knowledge of trim design tools (Optitex, Lectra, etc.)
• Develops and meets the approved trim budget. Ensures proper PDx documents are developed and approved prior to the commencement of development and spending. Ensures customer trim scope changes are documented, budgeted and approved prior to commencement of activity. Plans resources appropriately to meet deliverables.
• Manages and implements all Adient strategic direction/initiatives and systems including: PDfSS, Six Sigma, Kepner Tregoe, PLUS, offshore design, trim SMTE, etc.
• Manages and implements the required training of trim engineers, technicians and support personnel for all trim technical skill requirements.
• Teaches and coaches others in the use of BEP and creation/review of A3s, A4s, tactical plans and issues lists.
• Drives improvements through lessons learned analysis and communicates across the trim organization.
• Manages and implements career planning and personal development of staff.
• Ensures annual performance reviews are completed on time.

Please Note:

• Complete seat experience will also be considered if a candidate does not have soft trim experience.