New Product Launch Technician II

La-Z-Boy•Dayton, TN

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Manages the new product and engineering program launch and verification process with a focus on communicating the design’s quality and aesthetic expectations, verifying the accuracy of design information, reducing post-launch engineering changes by identifying issues upfront, and leading the initial training at the manufacturing facilities.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED with 2-4 years of relevant experience or equivalent
Must be fully trained in upholstery, framing, sub-upholstery, assembly, and packaging process.
Full knowledge and understanding of La-Z-Boy’s manufacturing standards and tolerances.
5 years’ experience in upholstery cell operations or equivalent design time at R&D.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, upholstery notes, prints, assembly instructions.
Ability to write reports and correspondence, create presentations, and speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw a valid conclusion from the given premises.
Operational knowledge of essential computer programs including Microsoft Office (Project, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook), E1, and Agile.
Ability to travel up to 25%, sometimes with little advanced notice.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Quality Engineering
Knowledge of FMEA, DFM, DFA, and lean production
Experience with Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), and product quality auditing
Experience in cost reduction initiatives in a design/manufacturing environment
Experience with Solidworks or similar CAD software
Experience with Visio software
Experience in the creation of VSWIs or other visual work instructions.
Proficiency in Spanish Language

Responsibilities

Review new product/engineering program information sheet and provide kick-off questions
Review design iterations for DFMA best practices
Actively participates in new product and engineering management reviews, acting as the voice of upholstery manufacturing
Actively participates in DFM builds, FMEA, and project team program reviews
Recommend data-driven design modifications
Coordinate the delivery of new program verification and engineering pilot build parts from the Innovation Center, internal plant locations, supply centers, and external suppliers to the planned build location
Verify the accuracy of design and engineering information such as upholstery notes, prints, and the Bill of Materials
Check all applicable wood, poly, fiber bags, and sewn sets against manufacturing requirements
Work with engineering to ensure new metal and plastic components and assemblies meet specifications
Ensure new program verification and engineering pilot units are scheduled and batched for the build
Build all new program verification units, and participate in engineering pilot builds
Schedule manufacturing safety reviews with the plant EHS Team during the new program verification and engineering pilot builds
Capture, report, and problem solve issues during the new program verification, engineering pilot, and new program/engineering launch meetings
Lead new product and engineering program review meeting with the manufacturing plant leadership team
Creation of applicable VSWIs
Train the trainers and cell team members on the first production units, explaining quality expectations to ensure they are understood
Assist in training as new products and engineering programs are introduced in additional cell locations
Assist safe launch with LPA & OOB Audits