Launch Director

Main Responsibilities

• Provide regional leadership for the coordination, execution, and monitoring of launch activities across Asia, ensuring plant readiness for new product launches, mid-cycle enhancements, and other projects identified by Program Management through the effective use of Prodash and Plant Launch Dashboard (PLD) deliverables.
• Lead and coordinate multiple plant-level and cross-regional launch activities as directed by the APAC Executive Operations Director.
• Ensure full compliance with Adient Launch and Change processes in accordance with the Program Launch System (PLUS), reinforcing consistent execution, governance, and accountability.
• Contribute to regional financial and commercial planning during the early stages of each program, including Profit Plan, Outlook, TBL, quotation, and Capital Appropriation Request (CAR) activities, while ensuring alignment across Asia.
• Oversee new product launches from Phase 0 through Phase 5, driving flawless execution and readiness at each program stage.
• Deliver 0-0-100-100-90 performance targets and high-quality program deliverables at gate exit reviews and formal sign-offs, with prompt escalation of risks and issues when required.
• Ensure Program Launch Managers complete all required launch deliverables in Prodash, including the Plant Launch Dashboard (PLD) from Phase 2 through Phase 5, and review and approve PPA1 and PPA2 submissions across the Asia region.
• Optimize Launch Supplier Development Team (SDT) resources across Asia by assessing program risk against approved staffing models, and build regional capability through company talent-management tools, including LTR, performance management, skills assessments, individual development plans, coaching, and mentoring.
• Establish succession plans and strengthen the regional talent pipeline, including N+2 successors, through targeted development, training, and effective deployment of team capabilities across Asia.
• Actively participate in and contribute to Executive Program Reviews, providing clear updates on launch readiness, risks, countermeasures, and required decisions.
• Establish and maintain a monthly cadence of launch-readiness reviews across Asia, including on-site assessments and build events, and ensure timely escalation and resolution of critical roadblocks.
• Lead regional financial planning and budgeting for launch-related activities, including the preparation of Capital Appropriation Requests (CARs) and coordination of the approval process.
• Drive standardization and continuous improvement of launch processes across all plants in Asia.
• Comply with all applicable health, safety, and environmental requirements defined in work instructions and training, and actively support related initiatives and activities.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, business administration, operations management, or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years of progressive experience in operations and project or launch management, including significant multi-country or regional leadership responsibility.
• Strong knowledge of automotive manufacturing, logistics, and launch-management processes.
• Excellent interpersonal, stakeholder-management, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across functions, organizational levels, and multiple countries throughout Asia.
• Fluent command of English, with strong speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and risk-management capabilities.
• Sound understanding of financial analysis, commercial planning, and business-case development.
• Proven financial-planning and organizational skills, including experience with capital expenditure, project costs, and budgeting.