Project Manager - TG

Job Summary:

This position is responsible for implementing and achieving project objectives, directing and coordinating project activities, and leading cross-functional teams responsible for specific functions and phases of assigned projects. This position ensures projects are executed in accordance with customer requirements and project targets for timing, cost, and quality. In addition, this position provides engineering support for product development activities, including technical reviews, design coordination, prototype development, validation, and customer engineering discussions. This includes all phases of projects from business award through start of mass production.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Support business awarding activities through technical presentations and customer discussions. Includes preparing technical materials with product/design engineers and contributing to proposal and quotation activities to ensure a smooth transition from business award to project execution.
2. Communicate with external and internal customers, including plant organizations. Plan and implement engineering projects, including defining the project objectives and scope, activities, milestones, and resource requirements based on customer requirements.
3. Develop and maintain a timeline for the complete project, organizing the main tasks of all departments.
4. Track project performance against schedule, budget, and phase review objectives, reporting status to the supervisor on a regular basis and to executive staff as needed.
5. Develop and implement recovery plans to address schedule delays and other unforeseen issues impacting project objectives.
6. Coordinate preparation and delivery of project deliverables, design documents, drawings, and related engineering deliverables.
7. Review product designs, customer drawings, and new component requirements with product design engineers to ensure compliance with company standards, customer contract requirements, and related specifications.
8. Coordinate cross-functional activities related to technical development, project scheduling, and resolution of engineering design and test issues.
9. Communicate with customers to provide project status reports and ensure customer requirements are met.
10. Lead and coordinate project engineers in performing the above responsibilities.
11. Plan, direct, and support prototype build and sample preparation activities, including coordination of materials and resources, to meet customer and internal requirements.
12. Provide manufacturing and engineering teams, including headquarters and global manufacturing locations, with technical information required for prototyping, tooling, evaluation, and production preparation.
13. Coordinate and support procurement of materials required for prototype builds, sample preparation, and evaluation activities.
14. Support the creation, review, and release of engineering drawings, including 2D drawings derived from 3D CAD data, as required for project execution.
15. Coordinate and support product validation, new component evaluation, and testing activities, including durability, vibration, and component testing.
16. Coordinate PPAP activities and customer-required documentation with quality teams and related organizations.
17. Support continuous improvement of wire harness design quality through design reviews, workability improvements, and VA/VE activities.
18. Support customer vehicle builds and launch activities to ensure successful project implementation.
19. Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of project management tools, methodologies, and procedures.
2. Strong leadership, influencing, and conflict resolution skills.
3. Project planning and scheduling skills, including Gantt chart development and maintenance.
4. General knowledge of operations, including scheduling, procurement, manufacturing, test engineering, and quality systems. 
5. General knowledge of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and some knowledge of chemistry.
6. Basic understanding of wire harness design and manufacturing process. 
7. Demonstrates initiative and the ability to work independently and efficiently with minimal supervision or guidance.
8. Able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
9. Strong presentation skills. 
10. Strong attention to detail and follow-through skills. 
11. Must have a valid driver’s license.
12. Must be able to travel domestically and internationally as required.
13. Proficiency in both Japanese and English (written and verbal communication) is required

Education and Experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field required.
2. 3 years’ experience in the automotive industry. 
3. Minimum of 3 years of project management experience.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, 

1. the employee is regularly required to talk and hear 
2. the employee frequently is required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms 
3. specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus
4. the position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 25 pounds.

Benefits:

American Furukawa, Inc. provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability coverage, flexible spending accounts (FSA), employee assistance programs (EAP), and paid time off (PTO).