NPI Program Manager

REE Automotive (Nasdaq: REE) is changing the electric mobility and aims at becoming the standard for electric vehicles. REE’s disruptive corner technology enables a completely flat and modular chassis that supports mission-specific EVs from class 1 to class 6 for commercial vehicles and people movers.

REE is seeking a New Product Introduction Program Manager to support REE’s rapid growth and development activities globally. This role would report to the Program Lead and would be based in the USA - Detroit, Mi area

NPI PROGRAM MANAGER is responsible for managing the operations perimeter in its entirety as it relates to introducing major coordinated changes or packages into the factory or factories.

This requires the program manager to lead a cross-functional team to ensure engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain validation targets have been met for each change. The NPI Program Manager is ultimately responsible for the factory readiness and successful tactical implementation of the program into production and to the market.

Responsibilities:

• Drive all activities as relate to the operations perimeter for your program(s) into the factory/factories. Clear target is to meet or exceed program milestones as set forth by the company…..”non-event launch” mentality with each
• Participate in and lead various “cross functional” Program and Manufacturing Readiness forums. Provide clear updates on status and recovery plans as necessary at both working and executive level
• Oversee the complete manufacturing validation for the program….drive supply chain readiness and handover from launch planning to production planning; organize and oversee factory transition and startup; and follow-up on excess/obsolescence planning and post program/service introduction activities
• Plan, organize, and orchestrate all pre-launch build activities. Facilitate ramp management with operations teams
• Oversee the finalization and validation of the MBOM for the program
• Oversee the validation of all factory systems (MRP, ERP, MES, etc) in regards to launch preparation
• Steer overall program validation plan and manufacturing readiness criteria (KPIs)
• Organization and follow-up of open points/actions that are required to secure a non-event introduction of the program; ensure conveyed and well communicated as actionable items throughout the organization
• Interact, integrate, and drive results across cross-functional teams in engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, production, production control, sales, service, etc.
• Author weekly/as needed project status, summary, and issue resolution tracking reports
• Environment, health, and safety taken into account in all activities and manufacturing validations
  
  

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as required by for the success of REE. As a startup this can highly vary and is also one of the advantages of the environment.
• Support REE’s Culture of Organizational Excellence in all doings.
  
  

Requirements:

Production Operations Knowledge - Has a firm understanding of how complex production lines operate including key items such as industrial workings between facilities/departments, line balance, OEE, error proofing, etc.

Background in manufacturing/industrial engineering required, supply chain highly desired

Understanding of how the manufacturing validation process runs in relation to complex new products that stretch across various engineer teams and manufacturing centers/factories (methodology, validation plans, associated KPIs)

Great understanding of design for manufacture, process design, process validation, and assembly methods

Strong interpersonal skills dealing with all levels of an organization. Able to effectively and confidently communicate to senior and executive level leadership

Strong written and verbal communication skills. Well versed with common workplace software (word processor, spreadsheet, database, etc). Excellent organizational skills

Able to be a creative thinker and devise creative solutions to complicated problems

Excellent problem-solving skills; adverse in various problem solving methodologies

Team player; ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-cultural environment with cross-functional teams

Previous experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

Previous experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, etc)

Ability to read and interpret basic mechanical drawings or CAD models

Has a well versed understanding of production line layout, flow, and modelling. Should clearly understand the following:

job shops, batch and flow production

takt, touch and cycle time

bottle neck identification and methods for resolving

workstation organization and setup / lean manufacturing principles

statistical process control

designing single flow lines to build multiple products

Minimum of four (4) years’ of relevant experience in automotive, high tech, or other high volume/high complexity manufacturing in a similar capacity coupled with demonstration of exceptionable ability.

Able to provide clear direction and orchestrate team initiatives

Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or related technical field required (Master’s Degree in supporting field highly preferred)

Strong motivation to succeed

Willingness to travel as required (