Mgr Trim Engineering

adient; Plymouth (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Adient is seeking a Trim Engineering Manager to lead the trim design and processes for a seating business unit in Plymouth, MI. You will provide technical direction, resolve customer issues, and drive design for assembly while managing resources and budgets.

The role requires coordinating with global teams, reviewing DFMEAs, and ensuring all trims meet time, cost, and performance targets. You will mentor engineers and technicians and support manufacturing feasibility feedback.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in engineering teams tasked with design and development.
• Experience interfacing with customers to resolve technical issues and define requirements.
• Ability to manage BD budgets, resources and schedules in a manufacturing environment.

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 DFMEAs and ensures corrective actions for high risk items.
• Designs trim patterns aligned with interface templates and guidelines.
• Coaches 2D pattern design using Optitex and Lectra.
• Provides engineering solutions based on BEP and data analysis.
• Delivers trim design solutions meeting quality, cost and craftsmanship targets.
• Supports complete seat build events and manufacturing readiness.
• Maintains trim data releases in TPDM and PLM with documentation.

Skills

Technical leadership

Customer interaction

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Project direction

Tools

Optitex

Lectra

TPDM

PLM

BE P / BEP

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

SUMMARY

The Trim Engineering Manager manages the trim design and processes for a seating business unit, providing technical leadership, developing technical skills and giving direction to trim engineers and technicians. They resolve customer trim technical issues through continuous interaction and serve as the front‑line technical customer interface for trim phases 1‑6.

They provide technical directions to trim engineers, technicians and support personnel, approve all trim technical issues, and work with the team to ensure time, cost objectives and product performance are met. They understand and identify the resource requirements to meet program/product objectives, manage trim resources to maximize utilization and promote best practices. They manage the trim engineering budget and communicate effectively with all management levels.

They support global programs by leveraging lessons learned and experience gained during development, facilitate manufacturing feasibility feedback, and build relationships with global teams.

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). Ensures 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.

PRIMARY LOCATION

Central Tech Unit Plymouth MI