JOB DESCRIPTION
Provides front-line technical program and product interface for all phases of development and cost savings. Supports the design and processes for a specific cost savings project, program or product portfolio to meet current and future OEM needs. Provides technical leadership, develops technical skills, knowledge and provides technical support of the engineers and designers on the program team. Develops and provides solutions to customer technical issues for Value analysis and Value engineering.
Provides technical support to engineers, designers, and support personnel for the program's functional leadership. Supports and provides approval on technical issues and works with team to ensure time, cost objectives and product performance are met on time. Understands and identifies the resource requirements to meet program/product objectives for VAVE projects. Provides leadership to program resources to maximize utilization-identifying the right resource for the task-to meet program deliverables. Promotes and facilitates the use of best practices in engineering for Value Analysis and Value Engineering. Provides support regarding the program/product engineering budget as related to cost saving opportunities for Value Engineering and Value Analysis. Capable of communicating effectively with all management levels.
Provide support to global programs not designed in his region by leveraging lessons learned and experience accumulated during VAVE development, as well as cost savings opportunities across multiple OEM platforms. Supports the investigation provided for closed loop feedback regarding manufacturing feasibility. Provides savings potential and timing for construction of feasibility and Business Case assumptions as related to all Value Analysis and Value Engineering projects. Capable of communicating and building relationships with global SDT teams for global programs.
Specific Functions - Technical Responsibilities:
- Complete Seat & Structure product development and VAVE assessment for all NA OEM Tier 1 platforms.
- Lead program and product workshops, and support open issues meetings as required.
- Reviews DVPs prior to testing with appropriate Engineering Leadership for VAVE proposals. Ensures the DVP has gone through the appropriate channels to optimize the plan, ensuring the minimum number of prototypes are being tested and the best choice of reliability techniques are used to determine test duration, number of samples and types of tests. Specific DVP requirements that support VAVE cost savings proposals.
- Supports Program functional leadership to ensure FTA's & DFMEA's are completed/updated prior to release of tooling for VAVE projects. Reviews with the team that all high RPNs have been designed out or have a corrective action plan to address them.
- Supports Program Engineering Leadership that FEAs are reviewed prior to release of tooling to ensure that no design exceeds the yield strength of the specified materials regarding VAVE project proposals.
- Reviews cost, performance, timing, weight and investment versus customer targets with his/her core team members (PM, AFM) in support of VAVE Project Proposals. Supports that the product is meeting internal and external targets customer expectations. Supports Program Management with a complete corrective action plan is in place (and agreed to with the core SDT) when the product is not conforming to expectations (including timing).
Specific Functions - Administrative Responsibilities:*Plan and execute all VAVE deliverables for on-time gate exits supporting project management timelines for cost savings implementation (Cost Savings, Tooling, MFA, Suppliers, DVP&R)*Work directly with the customer business units to resolve issues for savings and implementation
- Provide clear direction from the voice of the customer to internal engineering activities
- Manage issue resolution with the program team, aligned to the Adient PLUS & customer timeline
- Integration of design development including all support groups (trim, foam, metals, mechanisms, plastics, comfort, and SMTE's)
- Use and apply all Adient standards and systems ( PLUS, Lean, CPP, EPIC, BEP) for VAVE projects
- Coordinate activities with Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, etc., to support successful program execution and launch readiness
- Develops and meets the agreed-to budget for cost savings projects. Investigates with program team that customer scope changes are documented, budgeted and approved prior to commencement of VAVE project activity.
- Supports development and career planning for personnel within the VAVE Engineering organization.
- Ensures annual performance reviews are completed on time.
- Supports the key Business Unit Leadership (Director Engineering, Program Management, Director Finance and Purchasing) in resolving customer and business issues and helps drive the integration of the SDT into the entire program/product development process.
Travel:
Some global and regional travel required
Reporting Relationship:
Director of VAVE Seating and Structures NA
Education Required:
B.S. in mechanical engineering and 10-15 years of experience or
M.S.in mechanical engineering and 5-10 years of experience.
Experience Required:
5 years in a supervisory position in a Product Development area.
Purchasing and Financial experience necessary.
PRIMARY LOCATION
Central Tech Unit Plymouth MI
Adient is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you are an individual with a disability and you need an accommodation during the application process please email talent-acquisition@adient.com.