Launch Manager (Automotive)

POSITION OVERVIEW

A leading Tier 2 automotive supplier is seeking a Launch Manager to lead new program introductions and engineering changes at its manufacturing plant in Mexico. This role will coordinate cross‑functional teams to ensure programs achieve customer milestones, production readiness, quality expectations, and financial objectives.

The successful candidate will bring strong automotive launch experience, hands-on manufacturing knowledge, and the ability to drive accountability across Engineering, Quality, Production, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and Finance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead new automotive programs from initial planning and feasibility assessment through start of production and production stabilization.


• Develop and maintain integrated launch plans covering milestones, deliverables, resources, budgets, risks, and contingency actions.


• Serve as the plant’s primary launch contact for customers, corporate program teams, equipment suppliers, and other stakeholders.


• Coordinate Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities and ensure timely completion of required customer deliverables and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submissions.


• Drive manufacturing readiness, including tooling, equipment installation, process validation, capacity verification, staffing, training, material availability, and production documentation.


• Coordinate prototype builds, production trials, run-at-rate activities, and customer readiness reviews.


• Ensure alignment among process flows, PFMEAs, control plans, work instructions, inspection methods, and actual shop-floor practices.


• Work with Quality and Engineering to resolve launch issues through structured problem‑solving, corrective actions, and effective escalation.


• Monitor launch performance against targets for quality, delivery, scrap, productivity, capacity, and cost.


• Manage program changes, ensuring their effects on timing, tooling, materials, capacity, and cost are evaluated and communicated.


• Partner with Supply Chain to confirm supplier readiness, component availability, packaging, logistics, and inventory plans.


• Track launch spending and support achievement of approved capital and program budgets.


• Lead regular launch reviews, communicate status to plant leadership, and elevate risks that could affect customer commitments.


• Establish a formal handover to Production, with clear ownership of remaining actions and documented lessons learned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or a related field.


• At least five years of experience in automotive manufacturing, including direct responsibility for new program launches, industrialization, or technical program management.


• Demonstrated success leading automotive programs through start of production and ramp-up.


• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, MSA, SPC, and automotive customer‑specific requirements.


• Familiarity with IATF 16949 quality management requirements and their application to launch activities.


• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, tooling, equipment validation, capacity planning, and production controls.


• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams and managing customer expectations.


• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical requirements.


• Strong project management, analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.


• Professional proficiency in English and Spanish.


• Availability to travel to customer and supplier locations as required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with a Tier 1 or Tier 2 automotive supplier serving customers in Mexico and the United States.


• Experience managing multiple launches or engineering changes simultaneously.


• Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, error‑proofing, and structured problem‑solving methods such as 8D.


• Experience with ERP systems and project scheduling tools.


• Experience managing tooling transfers, production transfers, or significant capacity expansions.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Cross‑functional leadership and accountability.


• Customer communication and negotiation.


• Risk identification and timely escalation.


• Hands‑on execution and attention to detail.


• Ability to prioritize and make decisions under pressure.