Launch Manager

Position Description

Serve as the primary leader responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing all new product introductions (NPI), product transfers, customer launches, engineering changes, and production readiness activities. Ensure the successful transition of new products from concept and development into full-scale production while meeting safety, quality, delivery, cost, and customer requirements. Lead cross-functional teams to drive accountability, mitigate operational and financial risks, manage project timelines to support the plant's growth strategy.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead all new product launch activities from concept approval through production ramp-up and stabilization.

• Coordinate cross-functional launch teams, facilitate readiness reviews, drive project accountability, and communicate status updates to leadership.

• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to validate processes, tooling, equipment installation, commissioning, and automated line designs

• Manage process validation, pilot production, and manufacturing readiness protocols to meet capacity, quality and throughput targets

• Coordinate regulatory and quality compliance activities including APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, SAFE Launch and customer approvals

• Track and resolve launch issues, corrective actions and quality concerns using factory and site acceptance testing frameworks

• Partner with Supply Chain and procurement to monitor supplier capacity, assess component metrics and mitigate material constraints

• Collaborate with HR and Operations to coordinate staffing plans, standardize training and workforce readiness for production personnel

• Develop risk mitigation registers, manage pot launch reviews for lesions learned and drive continuous improvement launch processes

• Manage full cycle leadership responsibilities for the department including interviewing , hiring, coaching, performance management and budgeting

• Perform other duties as assigned

Job Skills Requirements

• Expert in NPI/NPD methodologies, advanced quality planning frameworks, and managing complex manufacturing projects involving automated assembly and testing.
• Strong project manager skilled at interpreting data, assessing risks, and driving team accountability in fast-paced environments without direct authority.

Education

Bachelors Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering or or related field

Experience Requirements

• Require minimum of 7 years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, operations, program management, supply chain, quality, or product development. Including minimum of 3 years leading cross-functional projects, product launches, or new product introductions

• Prefer experience supporting high-volume manufacturing environments, battery manufacturing, electrification products, automotive, industrial equipment, energy storage, or advanced manufacturing

Physical & Environmental Requirements

Launch Manager