JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsible for specific tasks or technical issues as assigned to meet current and future needs for cost reduction. Not only develops and provides resolution to current cost issues of existing products through BU, but leads cost reduction focus.  Completes technical assessment of cost reduction ideas, cost estimates, and develops implementation plans, and follows through on implementation execution.

Provides technical direction to designers and support personnel in BU. Leads solutions to resolve technical issues in assigned area of design responsibility and works with team to ensure time and cost objectives are met. Elevates as appropriate when organizational roadblocks or challenges arise. Utilizes best practice. Capable of communicating effectively with program team, suppliers, and support personnel. Basic understanding of engineering and costing fundamentals and follows BOS procedures.

Specific Functions—Technical Responsibilities:

• The VAVE Manager applies best practices in creating cost reduction ideas through brainstorming and other idea generation activities to generate creative solution to current design issues.
• Leads cross-functional reviews to identify, prioritize and implement cost reduction projects which will improve the profitability of the business unit.
• Ensures that robust engineering practices are followed on cost reduction projects that are implemented in the business.
• Applies best practices. This can include but is not limited to PDfSS, drawing standards, FEA, GD&T, root cause analysis, DVP, DFMEA, hand calculations and use of carry-over and core technology.
• Executes robust design/design changes to provide the highest quality and cost improvement in the build and assembly of prototype parts with agreed to process.
• The VAVE Manager develops and leads technical solutions that support business objectives (cost, performance, timing, weight, and investment).
• Technically supports suppliers in product development and drawing creation and data for costing.
• Performs design studies to ensure highest quality product assembly and performance.
• Uses the right tool/technology for providing cost reduction solutions to program/product issues.
• Is aware of advancing technology and implements as appropriate. Executes other assignments as directed.

Specific Functions—Administrative Responsibilities:

• The VAVE Manager writes 1-pager summaries, maintains master tracker, CI Trac reporting, etc to properly document customer or initiated changes or issues.
• Provides and ensures input to support personnel to ensure accurate input of design change records and drawings.
• Provides and ensures marked up drawings or models through designers to facilitate accurate costing and quoting exercises.
• Leads/facilitates brainstorming sessions to generate and/or implement cost reduction projects.
• Leads & manages cross over commodity applications for cost reduction projects.

Performance Measures:

• Continual ideation to provide continuous pipeline of ideas
• Timely resolution and execution of cost reduction changes.
• Execution of deliverables to support program timing and cost objectives.
• Leading cross commodity BU activities.
• Support and execution of BOS procedures and process discipline.
• Effective balance of conflicting requirements and risks.

PRIMARY LOCATION

Central Tech Unit Plymouth MI