Launch Champion

Summit Polymers is a leading, global supplier of automotive interior systems including consoles, door panels, and instrument panels. With over 50 years serving the industry, we deliver engineering and product excellence to our customers, on time, in budget, with the latest innovations.

JOIN A TEAM WHERE YOU’LL BE CHALLENGED AND VALUED.

A career with Summit Polymers means working with smart people in a culture that thrives on challenging, meaningful work. At Summit, we look for growth potential with every hire. We don’t just fill seats, we set people on career paths. We’re always on the lookout for smart people who are committed to continuous improvement, customer service and quality.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Launch Champion FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: General Manager

SUMMARY
Managerial and Technical position responsible for supporting new business through the KBPD process in accordance with Summit Polymer’s standards and TS16949 procedures. Supervises Advanced Manufacturing Engineer(s) and Advanced Quality Engineer(s) and coordinates the remaining plant resources and activities as they apply to new launch business.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Leads KBPD process in conjunction with Chief Engineers, Quality Managers, General Managers and other Summit Polymer and Customer personnel.
• Participates in mold design reviews to assure that tools will be robust in design and that they fit the established manufacturing design.
• Participates in part design reviews to assure the manufacturability of the design.
• Directs all activities of Advance Launch team members as they apply to each ‘new business’ project as well as all normal day-to-day supervisory duties.
• Directs development of molding, painting, assembly and other processes required by manufacturing.
• Initiates and oversees the Plant PDT and Open Issues Meetings
• Directs development of Manufacturing plans, PFMEA’s, secondary tooling, gages, Quality Control Plans, and all required quality documents and data sets.
• Directs timeline and work plan compliance to meet targets for both Quality and Cost.
• Assures delivery of complete PPAP packages for signature(s) of Plant Quality Manager(s).

At Launch:

• Responsible to coordinate all plant technical resources to assure successful new program launch.
• Develop and maintain launch action plans, open issues, standardized work development with frequent follow up with responsible persons and “go and see” approach to achieve goals
• Communication with regard to safety, quality, productivity, action plans/updates, standardized work plan changes, to all production personnel on all shifts and to maintain a “launch board” with quality bulletins, updates, etc.
• Participates in planning and the management of necessary bank builds and engineering changes, materials issues, as well as working with external tool shops as needed to achieve successful results.
• Manage “safe launch containment activity”, working with quality engineering to capture all non-conforming product and mislabeling.
• Coordinates and participates in training of production personnel, departmental managers, supervisors, technicians.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelors Degree in Engineering or equivalent experience, Minimum 3 – 5 years experience in injection molding processes, finishing processes, tooling, manufacturing and injection mold repair techniques, and PPAP.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Possesses the ability to gather and analyze information and make decisions from a limited number of choices.

• A minimum score of 50 on the Wonderlic Select Assessment (Traditional Score of 26 on the cognitive section).

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
This position typically does require up to 15% travel.

DISCLAIMER
The information contained in this job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor are they intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Agreement to complete all post-hire required training.