Purpose/Summary

　　            The Plant Program Manager’s (PPM) is the plant primary contact and responsible for leading the plant internal cross-functional team (CFT) toward a successful launch of new products, transferred products, or changes.  They lead the plant by setting up the plant internal CFT meetings, defining/driving the agenda, preparing meeting minutes and actions lists, following up on open tasks, driving progress to the process and closure of issues, report status to executive leadership when needed

　　Essential Duties/Responsibilities

　　New Launch Support

　　Support the Corporate Project Manager’s (CPM) Project CFT meetings, providing plant input into the planning, and execution, of the project launch.

　　Schedule Initial Flow meetings as required to provide updates to the CPM Project CFT and as needed drive activity within the plant to ensure launch readiness in each of the key areas – Manufacturing, Quality, & Logistics.

　　Set meeting agendas to make clear the meeting purpose, required inputs, outputs, and attendees.

　　Drive specific agendas.

　　Drive the team progress to plan and applicable processes.

　　Lead the meeting – drive responses and activity from all members, keep the meeting agenda and time, assign/drive agreement on tasks and due dates.

　　Prepare meeting minutes, including all relevant notes, actions, assigned owners, and follow up dates.

　　Distribute minutes/actions lists.

　　Use minutes/actions lists to drive follow up meetings and drive closure of open actions.

　　Escalate barriers to Functional Area Managers, and Plant Manager as needed to drive barrier/issue resolution.

　　Prepare all timelines for all plant internal activities required to launch a new project, and provide as needed to the CPM’s master timeline.

　　Pre-production builds tracking for off-tool, off-process builds, and prototype coordination support.

　　Coordinate ordering PV parts for Change Requests (CR) and launch activity relate to plant equipment, tooling trials, PPAP, and pre-production builds, until such time that all parts are on a Blanket Purchase Orders (PO), and BOMs loaded into EDI / parts can be ordered by PC through EDI.

　　CapEx – Assist in obtaining plant level signatures required for Capital Expenditures.

　　Other responsibilities as defined Akebono Quality Management System (QMS)

　　Transfer Projects

　　Same as responsibilities as for New Launch, but in addition, the PPM assumes the Project Leader role for transfers into the respective US plant prepares/owns the master timeline, master CFT leadership and master open issues list, and other responsibilities as defined in the QMS.

　　Change Management

　　The plant may designate a Change Manager who focuses on managing change within the plant.  This designate role has the same responsibilities as for New Launch, but in addition, the PPM assumes the Project Leader role for implementation of changes within the plant, prepares/owns the master timeline, master CFT leadership and master open issues list, and other responsibilities as defined in the QMS.  In addition:

　　Coordinate the orders for Process Validation (PV) parts for CRs.

　　Ensure the CR is properly filled out, all key information attached, and all information needed from the Plant side is input, then sign-off CRs on behalf of the plant as appropriate.

　　Initiate & drive CapEx process if required for CR.

　　Other responsibilities as defined in ABC QMS system.

　　Other

　　Primary contact at the plant – ensuring seamless communication, ensuring those needing information are put into contact with the right people inside the plant.

　　Support as needed:

　　Plant quotation, which is led by Sales/CPM with support from, PRC, Plant Finance Group

　　Post-SOP delivery issues, which is led by Production Control

　　0-Mileage Quality issues, which is led by the Plant Quality Engineering

　　Notify plant of customer visits associated with Launch Programs –

　　Launch Programs Capacity definition, reviews, etc.

　　Knowledgeable of:

　　Akebono and AIAG/Customer APQP process

　　Customer milestones and delivery requirements

　　Akebono products and all processes governing new launch, change management and transfers

　　Internal and external key project team members

　　Manage the On Time Delivery (OTD) of all material supply chain, capital equipment and tooling for product launch, including Process Sign-Off, Production Trial Run (PTR), and PPAP submission.

　　Education and/or Experience (minimum required for the position)

　　            Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Business (B. S.) from four-year college or university, with specialization in Program Management is preferred;  Minimum of 5 years job experience directly related to engineering, program management, manufacturing, material handling, and/or quality is required.  Familiarity with brake components and APQP processes are required.

　　Essential Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

　　Leadership – ability to influence others to a common goal.

　　Drives/facilitates collaboration.

　　High level of self-motivation, initiative, drive, and self-management.

　　Results oriented.  Urgency in addressing internal and external issues.

　　Strong at conflict resolution.

　　Clear and professional communication.

　　Approachable, non-confrontational.

　　Listens, is open, and seeks out win-win.

　　Excellent organization skills

　　Strong time management and multi-tasking skills

　　Culturally sensitive

　　Proper utilization of escalation

　　COMPUTER SKILLS

　　Ability to use Microsoft products including Office, TEAMS, Project and SharePoint  to communicate concepts, timing charts, etc.).  Intermediate level of proficiency in Microsoft Project preferred.

　　CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

　　Valid driver's license required.

　　SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

　　For lead PPM or Manager of Plant Program Management manage, train plant program managers, develop skills matrix, performance reviews, development, and general management responsibilities for PPM group.

　　For positions reporting to lead PPM or Manager of Plant Program Management, this job has no supervisory responsibilities.

　　PHYSICAL DEMANDS

　　The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

　　While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

　　WORK ENVIRONMENT

　　The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

　　While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts.  The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions and vibration.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

　　OTHER REQUIREMENTS Some travel to suppliers, various plants and Akebono R&D center.

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