Senior Program Director, Bottom Freezer Refrigeration

At GE Appliances, a Haier company, we come together to make “good things, for life.” As the fastest-growing appliance company in the U.S., we’re powered by creators, thinkers and makers who believe that anything is possible and that there’s always a better way. We believe in the power of our people and in giving them the freedom to explore, discover and build good things, together.

The GE Appliances philosophy, backed by three simple commitments defines the way we work, invent, create, do business, and serve our communities: we come together, we always look for a better way, and we create possibilities.

Interested in joining us on our journey?

The Senior Program Director, Bottom Freezer Refrigeration will be responsible for ensuring integration of Supply Chain requirements into a comprehensive Bottom Freezer platform redesign as well as identifying opportunities for sharing best practices to improve existing operations. You will understand existing Bills of Process (BOPs) and document best practices within each process. You will facilitate cross-site exchanges to share best practices and assist in the implementation thereof. You will be a critical member of the team working to develop our next generation Bottom Freezer platform, translating the product plan into manufacturing technical specifications. You will utilize BOP insights to inform the new platform design as the voice of manufacturing on the Modular Architecture team. You will develop and manage a significant Cap Ex (facilities, equipment, and tooling) budget. You will work with a multi-site Technology/R&D team, Supply Chain teams, and Sourcing to ensure manufacturability, lean, and material flow objectives are fully integrated into the new platform design. You will help to establish labor content and factory cost targets and ensure compliance with those targets in the new platform design. You will also understand the evolving tariff landscape and factor that into our Supply Chain strategy. The Senior Program Director, Bottom Freezer reports to the Executive Director, Bottom Freezer.

Position

Senior Program Director, Bottom Freezer Refrigeration

Location

USA, Louisville, KY

How You'll Create Possibilities

Essential results-based duties:

Organizational Leadership

• Work to drive performance for all key operational metrics in support of product line key metrics Sales, EBIT, and Cash
• Own and manage driving overall profitability of product line performance through optimizing key supply chain operational metrics of VLOH & SCR
• You will be responsible for proactively seeking external industry trend knowledge and applying such to drive operational improvements into the organization
• Deliver on key Refrigeration Hoshin metrics, goals and objectives for Bottom Freezer products
• Provide cross-functional/site leadership of operations, technology and sourcing to drive world class manufacturing cost efficiency
• Build and maintain a strong working relationship with the Bottom Freezer refrigeration site (AP5, Mabe and Zhongde) to ensure alignment on business objectives.
• Own the development of the long term Factory Master Plans, ensuring world class operations, funding strategies and integration/optimization with NPI plans.
• Execute all product related initiatives most critically:
• Develop and Implement Modular Architecture Strategies Define and standardize modular design principles to enhance scalability, reusability, and manufacturability across product lines. Ensure seamless integration of modular components while optimizing cost, quality, and performance.
• Lead DFMA Initiatives Collaborate with design, engineering, and production teams to ensure products are designed for efficient manufacturing and assembly. Drive early engagement in product development to reduce complexity, improve assembly efficiency, and minimize material waste.
• Optimize Manufacturing Processes for Modular Components Evaluate and refine manufacturing and assembly processes to align with modular design strategies. Identify opportunities for automation, supply chain efficiencies, and cost reduction while maintaining high-quality standards.
• Drive Cross-Functional Collaboration & Continuous Improvement Act as a liaison between product development, supply chain, and production teams to ensure alignment on modular design and DFMA principles. Lead root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance manufacturability and reduce production costs
  
  
  

Standards and Compliance

• Oversee all programs/projects and provide an overall assessment of the program risk with respect to conforming to GE standards, processes, and initiatives in addition to ensuring the manufacturing plan for the program optimizes business objectives/metrics and factory deliverables (Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost).
• Provide feedback and recommendations for improvements when gaps are identified.
• Ensure all equipment executed in GEA factories comply with Industry and Governmental Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) standards.
• Work with functional leaders to ensure equipment & processes support business initiatives of Bill of Process (BoP), Lean Manufacturing, Ergonomic Design and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
  
  
  

Strategic Execution & Cross-functional Leadership:

• Develop and execute multi-year Hoshin Plan for the AME Bottom Freezer ME
• Prioritize program activity and resources to ensure on-time implementation and benefit yield; leverage financial metrics to manage risk to schedule, budget or program costs
• Work with Product Management and Product Development teams to align manufacturing resources to execute project.
• Provide manufacturing input to program scope with respect to capital equipment/tooling, factory layout, manufacturing processes, material flow, testing equipment as well as all resources required to execute the projects.
• Identify program risks and anticipate potential issues. Work proactively with cross-functional teams to develop contingency plans and options with a sense of urgency bringing stakeholders together quickly to drive issue resolution as needed.
• Identify, elevate and/or mitigate program risk items which could impact program delivery to product performance, cost and quality, program cost, factory readiness, regulatory or commercial requirements. Avert the commercial risks associated with not executing to the goals (share, margin loss and brand reputation).
• Effectively and proactively communicate program vision, strategy, and progress across all constituent communities, including Business Leadership.
• Manage overall program factory related budgets
• Compile and analyze data, prepare and present reports and program information for leadership reviews.
• Champion, promote and teach the use of lean tools and principles in all areas of the project. Facilitate/lead/promote the use of the Production Preparation Process (3P) while developing manufacturing equipment and processes. Utilize cross-functional participation to ensure that the equipment and processes are compatible with the entire value stream. Efforts should include right-sized equipment, workstation design, material presentation, standard work, and single piece flow.
• Champion, promote and teach Lean manufacturing principles including the use Appliance Production System within the factory process areas.
• Work with design team to ensure Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DFMA) is executed on all parts, assemblies, and processes.
  
  
  

What You'll Bring to Our Team

Position Requirements

• Significant experience managing capital equipment procurement projects: Including specification development, supplier selection, technical reviews, installation, and qualification of equipment
• Prior experience in a large-scale appliance manufacturing environment.
• Fluent in Lean manufacturing principles
• Ability to work in large cross-functional teams and at multiple levels in the organization (both salaried and shop floor operators / skilled trades team members)
• Ability to communicate effectively and be an agent for change (will be expected to provide report outs to executive leadership team)
• Good organizational, project management and presentation skills to interact with all levels within the organization and with suppliers and vendors
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of cross-functional deliverables and ability to drive decisions based on the overall benefit to the company
• Experience and thorough understanding of cross-functional NPI process
• Direct Management experience for highly skilled engineering teams
• Strong curiosity mindset and willingness to learn and grow technical capabilities of the organization through proven advanced manufacturing techniques
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, develop, grow, and maintain a skilled engineering team
  
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering discipline
• 15 years of experience with procurement, testing, installation of manufacturing and material flow
  
  
  

equipment and process improvement

• Extensive manufacturing project leadership experience demonstrated ability to build/manage a large technical team, manage program risk to meet technical & commercial requirements
• Prior experience working with refrigeration manufacturing sites/processes
• Experience working in the NPI process
• Demonstrated strength in cross functional and leadership level communications
• Results oriented, proven ability to deliver on commitments and follow through with strong influencing skills
• Must be open to significant travel to GEA, Haier, Supplier & Customer sites as needed
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Engineering, MBA or advanced degree
• Six Sigma and/or Lean certification
• Cross-functional leadership experience, particularly in commercial roles
• Previous experience in Appliances or a consumer products business
• Previous work experience working with sourced finished goods or JV suppliers
• Experience working with an agile software development team a plus
• Proficient in MS Office, MS Scheduler (or equivalent) and AutoCAD
  
  
  

Working Conditions:

• Working conditions are normal for an office and manufacturing environment
• These roles will require working in a manufacturing plant environment
• Working in this environment requires the use of safety equipment to include but not limited to; eye safety glasses, hearing protectors, work boots, and hardhats
• Work may require occasional weekend and/or evening work
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 30 lbs
• 40-50% travel required for domestic / international travel to plants/customer sites, etc
  
  
  

Our Culture

Our work is centered on our People and Culture as reflected in our Zero Distance philosophy and we recognize the importance of reaffirming our commitment to inclusion and diversity (I&D). This underscores our commitment to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, connected, and empowered to contribute, while positioning our organization to adapt seamlessly to the evolving needs of our workforce and communities.

This reflects our dedication to creating solutions that: Empower colleagues by fostering an environment where all voices are heard, valued, and encouraged to contribute. Strengthen communities where we live and work. Reinforce a culture of belonging, purpose, and engagement. Reflect the diversity of the communities we serve through our workforce, products, and practices.

By further embedding Zero Distance into our People and Culture framework, we will continue to build a deeply connected organization. We are cultivating a culture of engagement, belonging, and connection, because while attracting new talent remains a priority, retention is a cornerstone of our strategy.

GE Appliances is a trust-based organization. It is important we offer our employees the flexibility they need to do their best work while balancing the needs of the business and individuals. When you join GE Appliances, you will have the opportunity to work with your leader to create a flexible work arrangement that balances the needs of the individual, team, and organization.

GE Appliances is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

GE Appliances participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance or an accommodation to use our website or to apply, please send an e-mail to ask.recruiting@geappliances.com