Come Innovate Motion with Us
Product Release Manager responsible for end-to-end release and quality of automotive products across plant projects. Acts as the single-point owner for phase reviews, customer-facing project phases, and ensures delivery of products that meet customer requirements and internal quality systems and Leads cross-functional teams to drive timely project milestones, control product quality risks, and close release gates for production readiness
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate Phase Reviews for all plant projects, ensuring timely completion of milestone gates and documentation.
- Own product release decision-making and sign-off activities, including readiness assessments for engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality.
- Drive customer interactions during project phases, manage expectations, present readiness status, and address customer concerns and feedback.
- Ensure delivery of project and product to intended quality by establishing and monitoring quality plans, control plans, FMEAs, validation protocols, and corrective actions.
- Collaborate with program management, manufacturing engineering, suppliers, and testing teams to resolve technical issues and risks affecting release or product quality.
- Implement, audit, and improve quality systems and processes to meet internal standards and customer-specific requirements.
- Track and report project KPIs related to release readiness, quality metrics, defect trends, and supplier performance.
- Lead root cause analysis and drive robust corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for late-phase issues, field returns, or launch defects.
- Facilitate cross-functional change control for product and process changes impacting release status.
- Mentor and coach engineering and quality teams on release processes, quality tools, and best practices.
Education and Experience
- Required: Bachelor of Engineering (B.E) or Master of Engineering (M.E) in Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, Industrial, or related engineering discipline.
- Experience: Minimum 15 years of relevant experience in an automotive OEM or Tier-1 supplier environment with demonstrable experience in product release, product quality, and quality systems.
- Proven track record managing plant projects, production launches, and customer-facing project phases.
Skills Required
- Technical Skills: Deep knowledge of automotive product development lifecycle, production launch processes, PFMEA, control plans, APQP, PPAP, MSA, SPC, and validation testing.
- Quality Systems: Strong experience with ISO/TS/IATF standards and customer-specific quality systems and audits.
- Project Management: Excellent program and milestone management skills, ability to plan and drive phase reviews and release gates.
- Customer Management: Strong communication and presentation skills for effective customer interaction during project phases.
- Problem Solving: Advanced root cause analysis capabilities using 8D, DMAIC, or equivalent methodologies.
- Leadership: Cross-functional leadership, stakeholder management, and experience leading reactive and preventive quality initiatives.
- Tools: Proficient with data analysis and quality tools, common PLM/ERP systems, and Microsoft Office suite.
- Behavioral: Results-oriented, detail-focused, assertive decision-making, and ability to work under launch pressure with a bias for delivery.
What we offer:
- Top-industry compensation and benefits package
- A unique opportunity to develop professionally; innovate & create
- Independent and interesting role where you contribute to driving business success
- A truly international work context
Come join our global, inclusive & diverse team
Our purpose is to improve the quality of life of everyone we touch through our innovative motion systems. We are a truly global team bound together by our shared values. Our culture is built on the diversity, knowledge, skills, creativity, and talents that each employee brings to the company. Our people are our company’s most valuable asset. We are committed to providing an inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace where employees of different backgrounds feel valued and respected, regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, or religious background. We are committed to inspiring our employees to grow, act with ownership, and find fulfillment and meaning in the work they do.
Come join our global, inclusive & diverse team
Our purpose is to improve the quality of life of everyone we touch through our innovative motion systems. We are a truly global team bound together by our shared values. Our culture is built on the diversity, knowledge, skills, creativity, and talents that each employee brings to the company. Our people are our company’s most valuable asset. We are committed to providing an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace where employees of different backgrounds feel valued and respected, regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity or religious background. We are committed to inspiring our employees to grow, act with ownership and find fulfilment and meaning in the work they do.