STA Launch Manager

Ford of Canada is seeking a STA Launch Manager at its Oakville Assembly Complex. This role involves managing STA Resident and Launch Engineers, prioritizing and allocating resources for current and new model launches.

The primary responsibilities for this position include:

• Facilitating support between suppliers and the Product Vehicle Team (PVT) and/or Manufacturing to resolve issues.
• Leading special-cause supplier teams on zero Months-in-Service (MIS) Balanced Single Agenda for Quality (BSAQ) projects.
• Supporting Global Quality goals by driving timely, accurate closure of Top Warranty issues.
• Participating in Variability Reduction Team (VRT) / Problem Resolution Team (PRT) forums and Vehicle Quality Reviews (VQR) / Product Commodity Team (PCT) reviews.
• Directing Resident Supplier representatives to ensure supplier responsiveness.
• Managing supplier actions in the Top Supplier Incoming Quality process, threshold Quality Reject (QR) cases, and dispute resolution per the escalation process.
• Driving fast containment of stop shipments and accurate root-cause assignment in BSAQ.
• Reviewing open Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) deliverables and Conformance Plans (5D), and driving their closure.
• Communicating major supplier quality launch issues to Supplier Technical Assistance (STA) management.
• Managing Phased Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) status and timing plans to ensure on-time approvals.
• Preparing standardized documents for Milestone Reviews, Special Attention Reviews (SAR), and OESAR/New Model Launch (NML) Assessments.
• Monitoring and escalating significant PPAP and launch risk issues.
• Managing program-specific Global Product Development System (GPDS) integrator requirements.
• Conducting Part Pedigree and Industrialization Readiness assessments.
• Supporting Ford Consumer Product Audit (FCPA), Voice of Customer Fleet (VOCF), and other reviews.
• Ensuring adherence to organizational and corporate policies and procedures.
• Prioritizing STA Resident Engineer training and providing performance feedback.
• Leading employee development in line with Human Resources policies and procedures.

The successful candidate will have:

• A Bachelor of Science in Engineering or a related field of study.
• 8+ years of progressive manufacturing/shop floor experience.
• 2+ years of experience leading vehicle/product launches or program management activities.
• 1+ year of experience in a formal supervisory, team lead, or mentorship capacity.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience presenting to and influencing senior executives.
• Experience managing multiple high-complexity initiatives simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute complex, cross-functional strategies.
• Leadership experience within Manufacturing, Maintenance, and/or Quality Operations.
• Advanced analytical and complex problem-solving skills.