Senior Manager, Morgan Program Industrialization

Senior Manager - Morgan Program Industrialization

J.B. Poindexter & Co., Inc. (JBPCO) is a privately held, diversified manufacturing company forecasting over $2.5B in annual revenues and employing over 8,000 team members.  The six operating subsidiaries, covering 60 locations, are engaged in the production of commercial truck bodies, step-vans, utility trucks, ambulances, electric and alternative fuel vehicles, and expandable foam plastic packaging.  For more information, visit https://www.jbpoindexter.com

Senior Manager - Morgan Program Industrialization will be leading large-scale industrialization footprint changes at Morgan with Sr Executives which will incorporate a new product design driving multiple Advanced Manufacturing projects to be executed at one time, potentially in different facilities across North America.  This position will have two direct reports (Program Lead’s) along with several matrixed staff supporting these new initiatives.  The new product industrialization life cycle includes, but is not limited to identifying automation opportunities, justifying, developing concepts, writing the scope of work, selecting the preferred vendor/integrator, business case development/presentation, design validation, ensuring the design & build follows JBPCO standards, and launching the solution at the plant.

Essential Job Functions:

• Works directly with the product development team to ensure the new design conforms to GD&T, DFM principles, DFEMA, PFEMA with an automation focus.
• Leads the development of Industrial solutions supporting the new product design and key manufacturing targets of the business unit to drive a lower product build cost.
• Lead and support manufacturing initiatives aimed at process improvements through the targeted implementation of automated processes that drive improvements in key corporate metrics for safety, quality, cost and throughput.
• Leads Concept-to-Commissioning process for automation systems, working with our internal manufacturing customers and the external system integrators.
• Help define better business processes that support the transformation and automation of JBPCO’s manufacturing footprint.
• Drives cross-functional engagement and stakeholder alignment to advance key projects, strategies, and initiatives, including the formulation, justification, and presentation of capital investment (CapEx) proposals and business cases that support organizational objectives.
• Leads engineering, and other staff regarding required manufacturing capabilities, production schedules, throughput ramp up plans, and other considerations to facilitate the new production processes.
• Leads cross-functional collaboration with subject matter experts to evaluate manufacturing requirements, develop innovative process solutions, assess project cost implications, and establish best-in-class manufacturing practices.
• Collaborate on the development and implementation of standardized work instructions, PFMEAs, and other control plans to ensure quality and consistency.
• Develop equipment specifications (RFQ) to meet manufacturing requirements, and negotiate for purchase of equipment, materials, or parts. Evaluate equipment according to specifications and quality standards through design reviews, and gated acceptance testing.
• Works with Business Units on production times, staffing requirements, and related costs to provide information for stakeholder decisions.
• Adheres to Quality policy by exceeding customer expectations, being customer focused and supporting continuous improvement activities.
• Adheres to JBPCO and industry safety policies and standards 100% of the time, including but not limited to, RIA, ANSI, ISO, IEEE, and NFPA.
• Execute internal concept development workshops with the manufacturing sites to define base project scope.  Output to include, base process, automation selection, man-machine charts, cardboard mockups, cost estimates
• Utilize project management skills to maintain an appropriate level of project control with respect to project budget, project timeline, resource allocation, document control, and issuance of purchase orders.
• Create and maintain the required level of control with all JBPCO documents, included but not limited to, solid models, drawings, procedures, and work instructions.
• Leads design reviews, build validation, FAT and SAT with the supplier ensuring the full representation of JBPCO is integrated into the process.
• Delivers comprehensive project updates to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, providing visibility into progress, risks, dependencies, and mitigation strategies to support informed decision-making
• Lead training efforts across the enterprise to enable manufacturing operations to be self-sufficient at running, maintaining, and modifying automation systems.
• Execute or assist vendors/integrators with standardized Task-Based Risk Assessment in accordance with A3 and JBPCO (ANSI/RIA TR R15.306).
• Work with maintenance on policies, procedures, and spare parts.
• Lead and train the Business Units on automation safety standards, mechanical and electrical.
• Coach and mentorship to direct and matrixed engineers to help build internal capabilities on project management across the enterprise.
• Partner with site-level engineers, operations leaders, and corporate stakeholders to deploy best practices, standards, and advanced technologies.
• Conduct process capability analysis, time studies, and value stream mapping to identify and eliminate waste.
• Stay current with project management standards and technical skills to support and serve JBPCO’s business units.

Qualifications:

• A self-starter with strong project leadership experience.
• Has experience successfully leading projects transforming a traditional low volume/high mix manual manufacturing environment over to Automation.
• Proven ability to lead various sizes of manufacturing projects and drive measurable improvement in cost, quality, safety, or delivery metrics.
• Previous experience managing / supervising engineers focused on leading manufacturing industrial projects
• Experience with various types of automation, automation vendors, and automation applications.

• Experience working in a high-volume, complex manufacturing environment and/or high-mix, low volume manufacturing environment.
• Ability to communicate, collaborate, and build rapport with personnel at all levels in a manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of manufacturing design elements/tools/systems, processes, and regulatory requirements.
• Understanding of design principles such as Data Analysis, DOE, FMEA, DFM/DFA.
• Must possess excellent automation/electrical/mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team as well as independently.
• Must have a passion and strong working knowledge for safety, workplace organization, and continuous improvement with a focus on Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Lean implementation.
• Proficient with computer systems and software packages such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook (email), Microsoft Project or Smartsheet, and JD Edwards.
• Optional: 3D CAD Competency (SolidWorks, Draftsite or similar software preferred).
• Optional: Visual Basic Programming, Ladder Logic, or other programming knowledge.

Education:

• BSME, BSIE, BSEE or equivalent.
• Ten years or more of directly related experience in a manufacturing engineering or advanced manufacturing role, preferably in a multi-site or complex manufacturing environment.  A minimum of five years must be in program/project leadership.
• Previous HR levels of responsibility directly building / leading teams
• Preferred: Certifications in PE, Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or relevant engineering credentials.

Travel Expectation:

• 50%
• Must have a valid driver’s license and passport.

JB Poindexter & Co., Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.