Launch Manager

Dauch is looking for a Launch Manager to join our team in Newton, NC. This is a fully onsite role.

About the role

The Launch Manager manages overall project timing milestones, budget, and required activities to support new programs. The ideal candidate is a proactive leader who thrives in a fast-paced automotive environment, effectively manages risk, drives cross-functional collaboration, and consistently delivers flawless product launches that meet customer expectations for safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

Responsibilities

• Disseminates information within assigned work teams.
• Maintains constant contact with others outside the work group at all Dauch sites, including suppliers and customers.
• Provides informational interface from all Dauch plants to Corporate/Regional Program Management.
• Monitors adherence to timing on all plant-related launch activities.
• Participates in all reviews with key suppliers.
• Leads the plant-level Program Launch Teams (PLT) to a successful launch by stimulating interaction between functional groups and challenging team members to contribute proactively to the program’s success, providing tools that promote controlled and measurable progress toward program goals.
• Assists in the implementation of new Program Management practices and procedures.
• Assists Product Engineering in managing plant prototype delivery through rallying additional Dauch resources.
• Drives responsible groups to reduce cost through negotiation and productivity for the benefit of the program and Dauch overall.
• Maintains constant contact with others inside the work group.
• Tracks timing; analyzes and reports variances to baseline and prepares exception reports.
• Organizes build events, coordinates cross-functional resources to ensure participation and proper coverage.
• Actively supports Regional Program Managers in the planning and execution of the program.
• Tracks product engineering design and/or manufacturing process changes to ensure proper implementation during startup.
• Leads implementation of product and process changes in the plant.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for launch-related activities both internally and with the customer.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 7-10+ years of progressive experience in program project management or launch management within the automotive manufacturing industry, as well as experience leading new launch programs.
• Automotive Tier 1 or OEM experience.
• Problem-solving mindset; ability to utilize problem-solving tools to diagnose and analyze launch issues within the plant.
• Change control management skills.
• Budget control and cost analysis skills and experience.

About Dauch

Dauch Corporation is a premier Driveline and Metal Forming supplier serving the global automotive industry with a powertrain-agnostic product portfolio that supports electric, hybrid, and internal combustion vehicles. The company is headquartered in Detroit, MI, with operations that span 24 countries and more than 175 locations. Formed through the acquisition of Dowlais Group plc and its subsidiaries—GKN Automotive and GKN Powder Metallurgy—Dauch unites deep engineering roots with global manufacturing capabilities and an entrepreneurial spirit to move mobility forward. Visit www.dauch.com to learn more.