Project Launch Manager

Valeo is a tech global company, designing breakthrough solutions to reinvent the mobility. We are an automotive supplier partner to automakers and new mobility actors worldwide. Our vision? Invent a greener and more secured mobility, thanks to solutions focusing on intuitive driving and reducing CO2 emissions. We are leader on our businesses, and recognized as one of the largest global innovative companies.

Are you looking for a challenging role where you can fully leverage your automotive experience and directly impact the success of new projects?

We are seeking an experienced colleague to join our manufacturing plant in Rakovník as a Project Launch Manager.

Your main mission will be managing new project launches from the development phase into series production within the plant. You will serve as the key link connecting our international R&D center, the local manufacturing plant, and the customer. If you enjoy managing projects, coordinating teams, and ensuring that production launches run smoothly, on time, and to the required quality standards, this role is the perfect fit for you.

What will you be responsible for?

Project Launch & Ramp-Up Management:

• Taking responsibility for the project launch phase at the plant level in terms of quality, costs, and timeline.
• Ensuring the planning and execution of key milestones (FDPR, customer Run at Rate, validation) for both assembly lines and supplied components.
• Validating the availability of production capacities and site investments, taking full accountability for a smooth production ramp-up.

Quality & Process Standards:

• Taking ownership of the plant QRQC methodology starting from the OTOP preparation phase (Off Tool Off Process = serial conditions).
• Ensuring adherence to process standards, logistics management, and lean manufacturing principles.
• Managing local component acceptance, customer process validations, and the timely delivery and approval of PPAP documentation, including the management of requested engineering changes.
• Tracking non-quality costs and defining action plans for their minimization.

Team Leadership & Budget:

• Functionally managing project team members within the manufacturing plant (industrialization, process engineering, logistics, quality, purchasing), setting their objectives, and evaluating their performance.
• Ensuring the proper allocation and efficient utilization of project resources.
• Taking accountability for managing and maintaining the project budget.
• Regularly reporting project development status and proposing alternative scenarios to hit project milestones whenever risks arise.

Communication & Corporate Culture:

• Acting as the main local point of contact for the customer regarding project launch topics as well as engineering changes during the serial production phase.
• Building a bridge between the R&D development team and the Rakovník production plant.
• Promoting and overseeing compliance with company standards, the code of ethics, and EHS (environmental, health, and safety) guidelines.

What do we expect from you?

• Proven experience in the automotive industry, ideally within Project Management, Industrialization, or Engineering.
• Strong knowledge of automotive standards and quality/launch management tools (PPAP, PFMEA, APQP, QRQC, Run at Rate).
• Advanced English language skills for daily communication with international R&D centers and customers.
• Ability to effectively lead a cross-functional matrix team without direct line authority, motivate colleagues, and resolve conflicts.
• Financial acumen to manage budgets, evaluate production capacities, and monitor cost indicators.
• Ability to react quickly to changes, identify potential risks and threats, propose alternative solutions, and drive tasks to successful completion.
• Willingness to travel (in-country and international business trips based on specific project needs).

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Join Us !
Being part of our team, you will join:
- one of the largest global innovative companies, with more than 20,000 engineers working in Research & Development
- a multi-cultural environment that values diversity and international collaboration
- more than 100,000 colleagues in 31 countries... which make a lot of opportunity for career growth
- a business highly committed to limiting the environmental impact if its activities and ranked by Corporate Knights as the number one company in the automotive sector in terms of sustainable development

More information on Valeo: https://www.valeo.com