Product Launch Program Director 1

General Overview

Functional Area:  SRV - Services
Career Stream:  LPM - Launch Program Management
Role:  Director 1
SAP Short Name:  DR1
Job Title:  Product Launch Program Director 1
Job Code:  DR1-SRV-PLA
Job Level:  Band 12
Profile-Holding:  Y
Direct/Indirect Indicator:  Indirect

Summary

Primary focus on managing product launch execution of customers multiple product line offerings within profit and schedule commitments. Relies on Design Launch Program Manager to execute development SOW to provide a design approved for production launch. Primary customer interface on launch status, activity, and issues and change management. Programs typically include complex multiple inter-related deliverables with one or more technical and/or operational challenges. Change agent for process improvements across organization in support of accelerating product launch. This job is the first Director level. Provides direct and/or indirect supervision to subordinate managers and employees performing highly specialized roles in a major function or division/department within medium to large sites. This includes long-term planning, objective setting, policy formation, interpretation and management while providing latitude and discretion to subordinates. Accountable for projects or programs on a multi-national or global basis. Work requires investigating and resolving a wide variety of highly unusual conditions that carry long-term implications. Requires developing new strategies, policies, practices, methods, programs or techniques and utilizing them to analyze and interpret difficult problems or situations and/or establishing new strategic direction that is site or multi-site specific. Participates with other senior managers to establish strategic plans and objectives. Has overall responsibility for planning, budgeting, implementing and maintaining costs, methods and employees in a functional area. Makes final decisions on administrative and operational matters in area of responsibility to ensure achievement of objectives. Erroneous decisions will have a serious impact on the overall success of functional, division, or company operations. Directs and controls the activities of a broad functional area through several department managers. Assigns objectives, reviews performance and approves employee compensation, coaches for improved performance. Regularly interacts with executives and/or major customers. Interactions normally involve controversial situations, customer negotiations, or influencing and persuading other senior level managers. May represent the organization in public speaking venues and/or community events.

Detailed Description

Performs following tasks with expertise. Recognized launch subject matter expert for peer review and consultation. Independently manage escalation through both company and customer cross functional areas with appropriate senior management visibility and support. Relies on manufacturing launch knowledge for judgment on team performance, estimation, and quality. Drives process improvements activities within group and/or globally.

Launch Management - Serves as the program/project interface between customer and Celestica internal groups, to coordinate manufacturing launch activities up to successful MRR sign-off. These would include interfaces with NPI, Test Development and Deployment, Manufacturing, Production Sourcing and Delivery, and Repair among others. Management relies on functional co-ordination within each group. Manages process checkpoint for acceptable design hand-off and NPI readiness Management of top level schedule milestones and management of inter-dependencies. Communicates progress and results to senior management and customers. Manages Launch risk assessment and mitigation strategies among various groups. Visibility and guidance on overall opportunity profitability – may include management of overall P&L.

Customer Satisfaction – Communicates regularly with customers to provide information, escalate issues and create and enhance a positive working relationship and ensure satisfaction. Receives and resolves customer issues. Solicits performance feedback and communicates information to internal teams and departments relative to customer status. Acts as a customer advocate driving prioritization of projects and responses to problems/issues and keep them informed of project status and plans to resolve problems or issues. Hosts regular (as needed) program tracking meetings with the customer to ensure ongoing communication and up-to-date progress/status reporting occurs. Interfaces with customers as necessary to, prioritize activities, communicate product status and resolve key issues. Excellent customer contact, negotiation and problem resolution skills.

Business Development – Works with sales, business development, finance and customer to understand the customers marketing requirements and business needs and develop proposals to meet those needs. Ability to drive significant new business independently through existing customers. Assists in examination of request-for-quote content and manufacturing and development response. Provides time estimates, documents and develops preliminary program timeline for customer quote. Oversees signs-offs and approvals on proposal response and assures that proposals accurately reflect customer requirements for design, costs and performance. Delivers presentations and communicates capabilities to potential customers. Interfaces with existing and potential customers. Plans and approves projects requiring considerable investment of resources. Directs technical content of business proposals. Works with customer to build confidence in company proposal and technical ability. Tends to engage on larger programs that have less certainty in product requirements.

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies

• In-depth knowledge of the product design and design processes.
• In-depth knowledge of the manufacturing process, schedules and scheduling requirements.
• In-depth knowledge of supply chain management processes, particularly around sourcing and tooling strategies.
• In-depth knowledge of the business issues associated with services and manufacturing.
• In-depth knowledge of product pricing, contracts and contract negotiations, and their impact to overall profitability
• Thorough understanding of business risks and price make up ( Value add and Materials )
• Excellent customer contact, negotiation and problem resolution skills.
• Good presentation, database management and computer skills.
• Ability to manage multiple, detailed projects to a successful end while working under tight time deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate with a wide variety of internal and external customers.
• Ability to effectively lead and motivate a diverse group of employees to achieve high production within tight time deadlines
• PMI Certification desirable.

Physical Demands

• Duties of this position are performed in a normal office environment.
• Duties may require extended periods of sitting and sustained visual concentration on a computer monitor or on numbers and other detailed data.
• Repetitive manual movements (e.g., data entry, using a computer mouse, using a calculator, etc.) are frequently required.
• Above demands are carried out within the local existing Health and Safety guidelines

Typical Experience

• Eleven to fourteen years relevant experience

Typical Education

• Bachelor's degree in related field, or consideration of an equivalent combination of education and experience. Advanced studies in Business/Operations/Technology are recommended.
• Educational requirements may vary by geography

Notes

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Job duties and the % of time identified for any function are subject to change at any time.