Launch Manager

Inteva Products•Birmingham, AL

22h

About The Position

The Launch Manager will support the launch of a new manufacturing facility in the southwest Birmingham metropolitan area. The role leads operational launch activities to ensure plant readiness and successful program execution. It tracks launch readiness against customer deliverables, business case objectives, launch milestones, and key performance metrics, and establishes a regular review cadence. The manager ensures adherence to the PDP process for all launches, including MSD, OSD, and Zero-Defect Launch requirements; leads the Operations Engineering (LOE) function; and manages engineering changes throughout the launch. The role develops and mentors direct reports while strengthening lean manufacturing and continuous improvement capabilities. It coordinates plant resources and cross-functional teams, proactively manages risks, and leads Lean and Kaizen activities to optimize sequencing, material flow, productivity, quality, and operational performance. The Launch Manager also monitors plant equipment and process capacity to support launch volumes and customer requirements, and partners with plant leadership and cross-functional teams to resolve launch, operational, and customer-related issues.

Requirements

5–7 years of progressive manufacturing, operations, engineering, or launch management experience within the automotive industry.
Strong automotive manufacturing background, preferably within a Tier 1 sequencing, Just-in-Time (JIT), or Just-in-Sequence (JIS) facility.
Demonstrated experience leading new program, product, or facility launches from planning through production readiness and stabilization.
Experience coordinating cross-functional launch teams, including Operations, Engineering, Quality, Materials/Logistics, IT, Maintenance, and Human Resources.
Strong knowledge of JIT/JIS sequencing operations, material flow, production processes, Lean manufacturing, quality systems, and continuous improvement.
Experience developing and executing launch plans, timing, equipment readiness, process validation, staffing, training, and production ramp-up activities.
Working knowledge of manufacturing equipment, mechanical concepts, production technologies, and process layouts.
Strong leadership and project management skills, including the ability to manage launch milestones, identify risks, resolve issues, and drive accountability across functional teams.
Excellent problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to interface effectively with customers, suppliers, employees, and leadership.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and drive results in a fast-paced automotive environment, ensuring launch readiness and supporting a successful transition to steady-state production.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a Tier 1 sequencing, Just-in-Time (JIT), or Just-in-Sequence (JIS) facility.

Responsibilities

Lead operational launch activities to ensure plant readiness and successful program execution.
Track launch readiness against customer deliverables, business case objectives, launch milestones, and key performance metrics, and establish a regular review cadence.
Ensure adherence to the PDP process for all launches, including MSD, OSD, and Zero-Defect Launch requirements.
Lead the Operations Engineering (LOE) function and manage engineering changes throughout the launch.
Develop, coach, and mentor direct reports while strengthening lean manufacturing and continuous improvement capabilities.
Ensure program deliverables are achieved on schedule and proactively identify, communicate, and escalate risks requiring resolution.
Coordinate plant resources, including skilled trades, operators, engineering, floor space, equipment, CMM, and Kaizen support, to achieve launch objectives.
Lead Lean and Kaizen activities to optimize sequencing processes, material flow, productivity, quality, and operational performance.
Monitor and maintain plant equipment and process capacity to support launch volumes and customer requirements.
Partner with plant leadership and cross-functional teams to resolve launch, operational, and customer-related issues in a timely manner.