Jr. Program Leader

ASSA ABLOY•Lake Forest, CA

About The Position

Support the Program Leader in the coordination of efforts between multiple plant and distribution centers in New Product Introduction projects. Assist with the planning and execution of all needed details for new product launches into manufacturing and distribution. Represent Manufacturing on New Product Introduction projects and work with those teams from concept stage until a working manufacturing and distribution system is delivered to the day-to-day business leaders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical or Electrical, or equivalent.
Minimum of five to seven (5-7) years in project management working with a high volume, consumer product manufacturing environment required.
Effective computer skills, interpersonal skills and communication skills are essential.
Must be familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Project.
Project management experience with automation/capital projects that utilized concurrent engineering.
Must be able to thrive in a team-based, matrix environment.
Ability to travel (sometimes on short notice) as required by various work assignments.

Nice To Haves

Masters work in Engineering or Business preferred.
Experience with modern factory management techniques (e.g. Demand Flow technology, Design of Experiments, Design for Assembly, etc.) preferred.

Responsibilities

Support all activities related to new product introductions throughout manufacturing and distribution.
Help develop detailed manufacturing plans for new products and execute those plans.
Integrate commercialization plans into manufacturing launch plans.
Work with Marketing to ensure detailed launch plans are developed in a timely manner.
Assure Design for Assembly/Manufacturability reviews are conducted and incorporated into the new product.
Support all operational, manufacturing engineering, material planning and control, and quality activities.
Support the Program Manager with the following:
Project Integration Management- Develop and execute detailed manufacturing project plans with the various plant and distribution centers. Manage changes that arise during the project.
Project Scope Management - Clarify the original expectations of each project with impacted plants. Obtain their buy-in. Assure that any changes to this scope are understood and accepted by all impacted groups.
Project Time Management - Develop and maintain an overall plan of all manufacturing activity. Monitor progress against this plan and drive any necessary contingency plans to meet project objectives.
Project Cost Management- Develop all needed manufacturing capital plans for a given project. Assure plant unit cost estimates are realistic and accurate. Track and control project to established budget and unit cost targets.
Project Quality Management- Coordinate with the Six Sigma Black Belts or Master Black Belts to assure they understand the scope of the project and have ownership over quality plans.
Project Communication Management - Keep entire manufacturing organization appraised of project status through concise reporting methods. Agree on project closure requirements with plant and drive project towards those ends.
Project Risk Management- Understand manufacturing capabilities and develop contingency plans against likely fault. Monitor project progress and implement contingency measures to control project timing, quality and cost to agreed levels.
Project Procurement Management- Work with plant and corporate engineers to specify needed manufacturing processes or equipment changes. Write Fixed Asset Requests (FARs), obtain needed funding and track spending versus budget. Assure parts logistics network is as simplified as possible. Assist Sourcing as requested in make-versus-buy analysis and supplier development.