Manufacturing Launch Manager

Socket.dev; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) Plan

Paid Parental Leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Training & Development

Paid Holidays

Job summary

Reading Truck seeks a Manufacturing Launch Manager to plan, organize, and manage the Manufacturing Launch function, directing engineering and manufacturing processes from raw materials to finished product. The role emphasizes APQP compliance, PFEP/PPAP, and KPI-driven performance to maximize efficiency, quality, and cost effectiveness.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in manufacturing/engineering with sheet metal fabrication, automotive experience, and proven leadership across teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field (Engineering or Technology).
• 10+ years total experience in manufacturing/engineering with sheet metal fabrication; automotive a plus.
• 2+ years experience in manufacturing launch; APQP experience a plus.
• Experience leading teams of engineers, maintenance and facilities staff.
• Experience launching production of new or modified products and implementing automated processes.
• Experience with DFM, DFA, PFMEA, CP preferred.
• Experience with program/project management and lean manufacturing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day directions to Manufacturing Launch Management department.
• Drive APQP compliance and ensure deliverables meet program timelines.
• Support PFEP & PPAP; track KPI performance and recovery plans for launches.
• Lead VSM and Build Process activities with visual indicators of operating conditions.
• Maintain records for processes, equipment, tooling, gauges, jigs, and fixtures to optimize manufacturing.
• Improve manufacturing efficiency by planning workflow, space, and layout.
• Develop CAPEX requests for assembly and manufacturing projects.
• Collaborate with design, materials, supply chain, safety, quality and production teams.
• Collocate with vendors and sister units; participate in Gemba walks.
• Support lean initiatives and growth of safety, quality and productivity.
• Keep leadership updated on project metrics and progress; manage on-time delivery.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

APQP/launch experience

DFM/DFA/PFMEA/CP

Program/Project Management

Lean manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical field (Engineering or Technology)

Job description

How You Will Make an Impact

The Manufacturing Launch Manager will plan, organize and manage the Manufacturing Launch function providing engineering directions or recommendations for the Assembly and Manufacturing Processes, Operations and Production Launch. Focus will be on manufacturing systems, processes, standards, tooling, Launch KPIs, driving APQP compliance, supporting PFEP & PPAP, complete manufacturing process from raw material input to finish product output, all designed to attain maximum production efficiency, effectiveness, productivity, at high-quality standards in cost-effective manner and without compromising Production schedule, Safety & Quality.

The Nuts and Bolts

• Provide day-to-day directions to Manufacturing Launch Management department
• Drive APQP compliance, ensure all relevant deliverables are completed as per program or launch timeline
• Support PFEP & PPAP. Provide management reports that track Performance, Lauch Preparedness & Risks, Launch KPIs and Recovery plans for short-term or long-term goals and new/modified product launches.
• Lead the VSM and Build Process activities including creation of visual indicators of operating conditions
• Maintain records for production processes, equipment, tooling, gauges, jigs, and fixtures to optimize manufacturing processes, including safety, quality and efficiency by studying product requirements and applying knowledge of product design, fabrication, assembly, tooling, and materials
• Improve manufacturing efficiency by analyzing and planning workflow, space requirements, and equipment layout.
• Develop capital equipment requests (CAPEX’s) for assembly and manufacturing projects
• Design and analyze labor and space requirements, product design, quality requirements, workflow, layout of equipment and workspace to maximize efficiency, consistency and effectiveness of manufacturing and assembly operations and projects
• Collaborate with design, materials, supply chain, safety, quality and production teams
• Collocate with various Vendors, Supplier and our sister units.
• Actively participate in Gemba walks and provide support to the production teams
• Support and participate in lean initiatives by developing assembly and manufacturing processes to further improve continuous safety, product quality and productivity
• Keep the leadership regularly updated of the key metrics and progress of each project
• Perform other duties as required or directed by the management
• Responsible for estimating and executing projects with KPIs, within budget and on time

Required Credentials

• Bachelor's degree in technical field (Engineering or Technology)
• Ten plus (10+) years of total experience- in manufacturing or engineering & manufacturing combined in sheet metal fabrication industry. Automotive Experience is a plus
• Two plus (2+) years of experience in manufacturing launch. Experience in APQP is a plus
• Experience in leading (directly or indirectly) a team of Projects Engineers, Manufacturing and /or Industrial engineers, technical support engineers, Maintenance and Facilities support
• Experience in launching production of new or modified products and implementing automated processes
• Experience with DFM, DFA, PFMEA, CP and their applications is preferred
• Experience with Program / Project Management and Lean Manufacturing is preferred

How We Make an Impact

At Reading Truck, we have more than 65 years of industry leadership in the manufacture, distribution, and enhancement of work truck bodies. As the world’s largest upfitter of work trucks, we continue to experience rapid growth through our expanding network of more than 20 locations across North America. Take the next step in your career and come get paid to play with trucks!

Some of Our Total Rewards

We offer big company perks with small company culture:

• Comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision and Life
• 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tools Purchase Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Generous Footwear, Eyewear, and Safety Equipment Discount Program
• Paid Training and Development Programs

J.B. Poindexter & Co., Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

To learn more about Careers with Reading Truck visit our careers page https://www.readingtruck.com/about/careers/