Production Readiness Support Leader

As the Production Readiness Support Leader, you will lead and coordinate all manufacturing readiness activities supporting new product launches, product transfers, engineering changes, and industrialization events. You will be responsible for ensuring that production processes, materials, equipment, capacity, and cross-functional teams are fully prepared to meet launch milestones and customer requirements. This role serves as a key interface between Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, Program Management, and Customers to ensure successful and timely production launches.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the Production Readiness team, establishing priorities and allocating resources to support launch and industrialization activities.
• Coordinate manufacturing readiness for prototype builds, Production Validation (PV), PPAP, Run at Rate (R@R), and Start of Production (SOP) events.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration to ensure production capacity, tooling, equipment, materials, and manufacturing processes are ready to support launch requirements.
• Manage and resolve escalations related to production readiness constraints, capacity limitations, engineering changes, and material availability.
• Lead launch reviews and readiness meetings with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, PC&L, Purchasing, Program Management, Customer teams, and other stakeholders.
• Develop, maintain, and manage launch schedules, readiness trackers, engineering change records, and industrialization databases.
• Partner with PC&L to monitor material readiness, critical component availability, and mitigation plans for supply chain risks.
• Ensure completion of APQP, PPAP, Run at Rate activities, customer requirements, regulatory requirements, process documentation, and manufacturing approvals prior to launch.
• Track, communicate, and drive closure of launch-related action plans, risks, and open issues.
• Participate in engineering change reviews and ensure proper implementation through established change management processes and systems.
• Prepare and communicate launch status reports, KPIs, readiness assessments, and risk updates to leadership teams.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on launch execution, manufacturing readiness, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with IATF 16949 requirements, automotive core tools, customer-specific requirements, and internal quality standards.

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience within the automotive manufacturing industry.
• Minimum 3 years of experience supporting product launches, APQP, industrialization, manufacturing engineering, program management, or production readiness activities.
• Advanced knowledge of automotive launch processes, industrialization methodologies, APQP, PPAP, and Automotive Core Tools including PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, and MSA.
• Experience working with OEM customer requirements including Ford, GM, Stellantis, Volkswagen, Nissan, Toyota, or similar customers.
• Strong understanding of IATF 16949, VDA requirements, and manufacturing quality systems.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex launch projects from prototype through SOP.
• Knowledge of production planning, manufacturing process development, capacity planning, Lean Manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience managing Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), Engineering Change Notices (ECNs), and change management processes.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, preferably SAP, and launch management or manufacturing readiness tracking tools.
• Strong project management, risk assessment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders, manage escalations, and drive accountability across multiple functions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Spanish.
• Advanced English proficiency with the ability to lead customer meetings, executive reviews, negotiations, and presentations with global teams.
• Preferred experience in Program Management, launch risk management, pre-SOP activities, production ramp-up, and launch KPI management.

You grow at Aptiv.

Aptiv's winning culture is global by design. We bring together diverse perspectives, cultures, and business contexts to solve our customers' toughest challenges. In this environment, every individual can grow, lead, and make an impact, regardless of background, because inclusion fuels how we innovate and win. 

You make an impact at Aptiv.

One of the strengths of humanity is our drive to progress, to improve, to achieve more tomorrow than we did yesterday. People need solutions they can trust when it matters most. At Aptiv, you are building those solutions every day.

You have support at Aptiv.

We ensure you have the resources and support you need to take care of your family, your physical health, and your mental health with a competitive benefits package.

• Savings Fund
• Pension Plan
• Christmas Bonus
• Attendance Bonus
• Vacation Premium
• Medical Expenses
• Life Insurance
• Social security (IMSS, INFONAVIT, Retirement)
• Recognition for innovation and excellence
• Opportunities to give back to the community

At Aptiv, we deliver innovative solutions that people trust when it matters most.

Progress is never static. It is about reaching further, exploring new possibilities, and enabling mobility. Aptiv empowers customers to create solutions people rely on—advancing safety and autonomy in Automotive and Commercial Vehicles, enabling mission-critical performance in Aerospace & Defense, and powering intelligent systems across Energy, Enterprise, and Telecommunications. We also drive precision and efficiency in Industrials & Robotics and support life-critical innovation in Medical technologies.

Guided by our winning culture and values to Think & Act Like Owners, as One Team, and Play to Win, we turn commitment into results and achieve more together.

Join Us to Deliver Innovative Solutions That People Trust!

#LI-FY1

Privacy Notice - Active Candidates: https://www.aptiv.com/privacy-notice-active-candidates

Aptiv is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.