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About Us!
Napoleon® is an ISO9001 - 2008 registered company and operates with 1,200,000 + square feet of manufacturing space and over 1000 Associates. Corporate Headquarters are in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. We have a dealer and distributor base throughout North America, Europe and Asia. We are North America's largest privately owned manufacturer of quality wood and gas fireplaces (inserts and stoves), gourmet gas and charcoal grills, outdoor living products, and heating and cooling products. We are a fast-paced, growing company who is recognized in the industry for quality, innovation, performance and design.
Wolf Steel Ltd. currently has the following opportunity available:
Title: Project Launch Manager
Reports to: Vice President Hearth R&D
Based at: Wolf Steel Ltd., #9
Job Purpose:
To manage the successful and on time production launch of new and/or improved products by close collaboration with the assigned R&D project coordinator and the cross functional team; including championing and executing product/process change notices.
Using project & program management skills and methodologies (Stage Gate, CN), the Project Launch Manager leads the cross-functional team through the launch phase of the program, assuming responsibility from process verification and throughout mass production. The primary focus is on successful introduction of new products and products changes with the production team, (quality, operations, purchasing, manufacturing engineering etc.), ensuring detailed implementation planning has been completed, timing is feasible, parts and resource availability are confirmed, readiness reviews are completed and that best practices are consistently applied.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
• Responsible for overall planning, scheduling, reporting and managing of the master launch schedule(s) for all Hearth products to ensure launch timing is communicated and feasible for all departments and functions. Where applicable coordinates directly with production sites outside Barrie, in the USA and China
• Actively participates in the engineering production runs and design reviews for new products in order to understand the product design, status and potential challenges
• Provides direct support to the R&D project coordinator(s) for the process run including "hands-on" participation in the physical build. Actively participates in the post build review, PPET review and all design reviews after Gate 2 sign off
• Ensures products are launched on time by thoroughly analyzing launch process, ensure system readiness and resource and component availability
• Forecasts new product availability dates and communicates any changes in plan
• Responsible for planning and managing all required tasks with cross function that are necessary to achieve flawless launch including but not limited to; ensuring parts are set-up correctly in ERP system, open issues from process build are addressed prior to production, long lead time parts, PPAP's and 1st offs are coordinated with purchasing and quality, cost implosions are complete and accurate, all Stage Gate 3 and 4 tasks are complete etc.
• Plans and executes the production run in direct collaboration with the operations team and with support of the project coordinator(s)
• Provides direct support to production, (team leader etc.) during the production run and summarizes success compared to target
• Records and actions all opportunities for improvement using the appropriate tool (CN, CI, CAR etc.)
• Ensures all deliverables from the production run are complete, (e.g. first off, post run review etc.)
• Hearth R&D lead for overall department open issues list and works with Hearth R&D admin and all stakeholders to ensure accuracy, consistency and timely completion of activities
• Works with Hearth R&D admin to analyze trends and suggest corrective action to improve efficiency
• Track and actively manage Engineering Change Notices CN's, working with appropriate resources to determine technical feasibility and feasibility of financial business case
• Plans, schedules and monitors the necessary actions required to implement the change, including but not limited to minimization of scrap, build out plans, effectivity date, communication of change etc.
• Works in collaboration with the R&D admin to record and analyze the effectiveness of the change process and provide recommendations to management for improvements
• Hearth R&D department champion for implementation and continuous improvement of the stage gate process and future new business processes
• Create and review project and sub-project timelines to plan, analyze and manage on time launches / project completion and identify risks or conflicts
• Champion for department project schedule template for manufactured, purchased and pass through products
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing engineering to ensure products are evaluated for suitability for hard tooling prior to production freeze and provide support to introduce hard tooled part at an appropriate time after launch via the CN process
• Collaborate closely with purchasing and quality in the process of selecting suppliers, specifically with a view to ensure feasible launch schedules are maintained, orders are places, PQV, PPAP and other requirements are completed at the appropriate time
• Where necessary work directly with suppliers/venders to develop recovery plans and countermeasures
Education and Experience:
• Minimum education required: 3 year College Diploma in Engineering, (or directly related subject). An Engineering Degree is preferred
• Minimum of five (5) years of applicable work experience in an engineering or production environment with a minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated project / program management experience required
• Certificate or Diploma in Project Management/registered PMP is considered an asset
• Broad understanding of design, manufacturing and assembly processes with experience in metal stamping and/or fabrication
• Understanding of Hearth products would be advantageous
• Demonstrated ability to achieve results through negotiating, influencing and aligning individuals and cross functional departments
• Some domestic and international travel required
The Napoleon Group of Companies is committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain Associates with disabilities. This includes providing accessibility across all stages of the employment cycle. Accommodation is available upon request.
We thank you for your interest in The Napoleon Group of Companies and for participating in our competition. Only those candidates selected for consideration will be contacted.
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