NPI (New Product Introduction) Project Launch Manager

Main Duties &Responsibilities
The NPI Launch Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating the planning, implementation, and delivery of our products into production including process updates, logistics &warehousing, supply chain, production transfers and customer acceptance. Working effectively across all functions in the business and with key customers and suppliers to define, manage and implement projects to ensure operational and launch success. Delivering for Operations to allow smooth transition into revenue generation ensuring all launch critical activities are completed to provide total customer satisfaction.
This role also has a specific requirement for the candidate to have previous experience of managing the transition of an engineering design into mass production within an APQP environment as well as regular interfacing with factory teams to ensure on time delivery of product to clients
Reporting, Location & Travel
The NPI Launch Manager reports directly to the Director of Project Management. The role will be based at our production site in Tianjin, China, with an occasional requirement for other national/international travel to support project delivery.
Key Responsibilities
Responsibilities
include, although are not limited to the following:
· Leadership to coordinate multiple complex projects to allow product launch on time, to quality and with cost to allow profitable operations.
· Works closely with all Protean Project Managers, Tianjin site leadership and Supply Chain Managers to coordinate and manage Operations NPI activities and deliverables, NPI build scheduling, line set-up, support and communications as required.
· Act as the single Operations contact point on all NPI programs.
· Using Microsoft Project to develop project plans, schedules, build plans, resource allocation plans, and budgets.
· Monitoring project progress by conducting regular status review meetings and ad-hoc discussions with project support personnel.
· Working with Protean Departments to prevent or resolve issues and ensure that NPI Launch goals are met.
· Regularly reporting project progress and issues to Protean Management and Company Shareholders.
· In working with the Supply Chain Managers, support the procurement and/or build of prototype, pilot, and first production material, supplier audits and PPAP reviews.
· Working with third party suppliers to track new product availability, qualifications, pre-production deliveries and manufacturing tooling.
· Provide project planning and coordination for product transfers, line set-up, pilot builds, qualification, and production ramp start.
· In working with Supply Chain Management, facilitate implementation planning and impact assessments of ECR’s into production. Coordinate feedback to ECR process and Change Management on readiness, materials lead time, inventory consumption, and production implementation.
· Working with product business development and engineering project managers, facilitate and co-ordinate production scheduling plans and Marketing Launch activities.
· Assisting in the development of operations responses to customer RFI / RFQ / Proposals.
· Support process development and provide training to other members of Protean.
Relevant Skills & Behaviours
Successful candidates should be able to demonstrate the following relevant skills and competencies:
· Project and Risk Management
· Leadership and team management
· Clear and effective communication
· Process design, deployment and optimisation
· Negotiation
· Working knowledge of Microsoft Project
· Flexibility and adaptability
· Expertise with common IT systems
Relevant Knowledge & Experience
Candidates should assess their suitability against the following essential and/or desirable relevant knowledge and experience:
Essential:
· Demonstrable experience of NPI / operations project management within an Engineering or Automotive Tier 1 supplier
· 10 ~ 15 years’ experience in similar NPI /product development environments
· Leadership of multi-disciplined teams
· Demonstrable full Product Life Management experience
· Broad engineering knowledge and understanding
· Fluent English language Writing and Speaking Skills
· Degree or equivalent in relevant engineering discipline
Desirable:
· APM or equivalent qualification
· Practical Six Sigma knowledge and understanding
· Knowledge of Engineering Quality practices
· Knowledge of Confluence and Jira software tools