Eaton in Gummersbach is a manufacturer of a wide range of key components and automated assemblies, Equipment Design (Tools & Machinery), and has a Breaktor manufacturing footprint for our Industrial Control and Power Distribution division. The plant in Gummersbach has nearly 100 years of product knowledge and experience, employing around 170 highly qualified skilled employees.

The Launch Manager acts as key interface between the manufacturing plant team and the program management, product development and customer teams. Coordinates all plant activities to achieve program deliverables and to ensure successful launches of assigned projects and continuously managing the expectations of internal and external customers.

• Plans and ensures execution of plant deliverables in line with all requirements (e.g. TS 16949, MESH, PRO Launch…)
• Holds contractors and plant launch team accountable for performance to scope & timing to achieve all program launch targets - time, quality & manufacturing feasibility.
• Leads team(s) in identifying, quantifying and mitigating risk.
• Responsible to deliver the Process Sign-off and the Production Release
• Executes launch team leadership across the assigned project(s). Seeks team input to promote rapid resolution to issues; Establishes objectives and goals and provides direction to project teams in areas of customer concerns, potential changes in scope and risk assessment.
• Drive launch team to encourage ownership and take responsibility for each functional area. Manage organization and leadership of team(s) in a matrix environment. Direct, motivate and provide leadership for the project team.
• Meets delivery requirements, while also driving plant APQP activities (advanced Quality Planning, PPAP, PFMEA, Control plan, etc.)
• Provides input and direction to the project team(s) in areas of customer concerns, potential changes in scope and risk assessment.
• Direct overall performance on the project(s) assuring that the “Triple Constraint” of Cost/Scope/Schedule is met and resources necessary to achieve this constraint are appropriately identified and communicated. Coordinate all activities to meet project milestones for equipment installation and process validation (PV Build deliverables, Run-at-Rate, PV Parts, assemblies, raw material supply changes and deadlines, Safe Launch Phase…).
• Develops sample and prototype manufacturing schedules with the plant scheduling department and support development
• Manages customer visits, events and deliverables associated with the launch of a new product/process
• Initiates feasibility commitments for new programs, develops investment and timing requirements,
• Develop, in conjunction with other functional areas, the program cost targets (e.g. piece cost, capital investment, project start up requirements). Estimating, budgeting, and controlling cost for all project activities such that project is completed within budget.
• Monitors overall performance during all phases of the project(s) and develops and implements corrective action and recovery plans as required. Create start-up plan, maintain timeline, Manufacturing Readiness and open issues list to ensure the program achieves customer milestones, internal deliverables, and engineering deadlines and plant start-up in line program timeline.
• Manage scrap, eliminate wastes, rejection and demonstrated proactive quality approach. Engage in problem solving, lead team & apply methodology to successfully get to root cause and corrective planning.
• To oversee the planning of raw material supply deadlines to meet samples and launch commitments
• Manage the customer relationship, maintaining customer satisfaction, yet assuring that scope is managed appropriately and contract changes are secured where appropriate. Manages effective communications. Improves organization responsiveness to customer requirements. Manages customer expectations and commitments internal to the business.
• Provides regular project updates of current situation relating to contractual milestones and high-risk areas. Can clearly articulate, communicate both verbally and electronically to all levels of the organization.
• Ensures standard program management processes are utilized and adequate to support the project execution and teams; Connects the local, plant organization with Divisional Program Management Office (PMO), ensures effective information flow.

• Engineering degree in mechanical engineering, electronics and others
• Minimum 5 years experiences in project delivery

Skills:

• Fluent English and German knowledge (preferred)
• Project management experience with multi-discipline teams
• Ability to use Lean and Six Sigma methodology
• MS Project experience
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels (present project statuses to different levels of the organization and support project team members to assess critical path of the projects)
• Experience in automotive manufacturing environment
• Good interpersonal skills and team orientation
• Good analytical skills
• Taking ownership; drive & determination to get the job done to the highest standards
• Able to work alone and in team as well
• Self-confidence and assertive
• Results orientated
• Advanced problem-solving skills
• Use/ implements effective project tracking process

• Being part of a company that has been in business for more than 100 years, is well known in the industry, and has a major impact on the energy industry
• Work in a company that is commitment to Inclusion & Diversity and Sustainability
• Collective agreement of the metal, electrical and electronics industry
• Pension Plan and Wellness activities
• Annual mentoring program, Eaton University, a reward, and recognition system
• Ongoing Learning and Career Development Opportunities in a global company. Build your career and apply internally for our open positions worldwide
• Strong, agile and diverse team locally and globally
• Strong processes and state-of-the-art systems and tools
• Structured employee development processes, open feedback culture with development plans