Plant Program Manager

Purpose/Summary

The primary function is to lead and manage, with minimal input from the manager, the cross-functional APQP and launch team (90 days after SOP) in the framework of the ABC Quality Management System (QMS). The position will manage multiple programs, ensuring on-time delivery of all APQP, launch, and limited financial performance aspects associated with the project.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

Overall APQP and launch responsibility," in accordance with ABC QMS and official APQP guidelines. Main conduit between Akebono manufacturing plants, the corporate facilities (AEC) and the customer in regards to APQP, launch, and delivery activities. On-site at manufacturing location, on an as needed basis to ensure APQP and launch coordination.

Define, generate and manage component and sub-system timing and roll-up timing for Akebono plants, including components, suppliers and customer milestones

Lead cross-functional APQP meetings, including internal and external (customer and suppliers)

teams

Manage and track open issues as they affect the APQP process, milestones, and deliverables

Ensure "On-Time-Delivery" (OTD) and "In-Cost" (IC) of all key APQP elements, define recovery plan for late items or elements "outside of defined cost targets", and use appropriate escalation process

Provide Voice of Manufacturing to customer by leading all "Program Reviews" as defined by Akebono

APQP and ABC QMS.

Generate and present "Program Reviews" to Executive Management (according to standard format)

Manage all program elements of ABC QMS (to be reviewed upon request).

Provide Business input to all associated program Change requests - CRs (approve/reject authority)

until 90 days post SOP.

Coordinate customer builds and Work with manufacturing and engineering to define prototype strategy.

Manage the OTD of all material supply chain, capital equipment and tooling for product launch,

including Process Sign-Off, PTR, and PPAP submission

Manage the execution with plant PPM the Safe-Launch including manage/resolve any production delivery concerns

Perform other duties as assigned

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

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Business (B. S.) from four-year college or university and a minimum of greater than 5 years job program management or equivalent experience directly related to foundation brake and/or friction material engineering. Familiarity with the customer product development process is necessary.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

In order to manage programs successfully, apply leadership skills such as "Direction / Decision making / Team motivation / Communication / Role model for process adherence".

Ability to use conventional e-mail and engineering office software (Microsoft Office Products to communicate concepts, etc.) and MS Project for timing charts software preferred.

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.

Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Ability to represent Akebono Corporation interests in the customer's environment while maintaining a cooperative relationship with the customer.

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.

Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Supervisory Responsibilities

May be assigned to proxy for department manager/director as requested by manager/ director.

Physical Demands/Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands, 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 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

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.