Head of Product and Process Industrialization (PPI)

The mission of the position is to plan, coordinate and control all product and process industrialization activities in order to meet budget and production targets (e.g. reduce scrap and waste, cycle times). Furthermore, the Head of PPI initiates and implements action plans for continuous improvement of all product and process industrialization relevant processes.

General Management & Strategy:

▪ manage and coordinate the product and process industrialization function of the plant/operations unit
▪ translate business/project/product specific requirements into tangible impacts on plant (e.g. invest, capacity, capability) and assess plant readiness
▪ contribute to strategic and operative planning of the plant/operations unit (e.g. with respect to investments, capacity and headcount planning)
▪ ensure the achievement of product and process industrialization targets according to internal and external customer expectations
▪ plan and implement investments for project/product specific tooling and devices (e.g. molds, mandrels, jigs, gauges) according to standards
▪ initiate and implement continuous improvement activities by applying CBS methods and training measures 
▪ interface to segment, BU or BA functions in order to gather local product and process industrialization requirements and demands and other feedback 
▪ participate in and/or steer global or local product and process industrialization related and cross-functional projects
▪ conduct employee dialogues, personnel development and coaching

Financial Management:

▪ prepare, review and manage the budget and forecast of product and process industrialization cost centers
▪ ensure timely submission of financial data to controlling
▪ implement and conduct activities according to the budget established
▪ ensure that the financial goals are met

Product Industrialization Management & Process Industrialization Management
▪ manage product specific ramp-up or change projects (e.g. team setup, interfacing to business/customer organization, project planning and control, etc.) for e.g. new products, new materials, new equipment or new/relocated production processes according to standards
▪ update product specific production specifications (i.e. production process characteristics and parameters) according to standards
▪ update product specific production flow chart, production control plan (in close cooperation with Quality) and work instructions (pre-series, series) according to standards provided by (central) R&D and application engineering
▪ perform product specific testing and start-up of production process and pre-series production (e.g. ensure run@rate) and handover to production (series) according to standards
▪ update of product specific process FMEA according to local conditions and standards
▪ support product specific customer releases (PPAP, e.g. for initial series process or after product or process changes incl. initial sample test report, etc.) according to standards (e.g. trigger matrix)

Product and Process Improvement:

▪ identify and implement product optimization potential (e.g. raw material replacement) in running articles in alignment with central (segment, BU) product development or similar function according to standards
▪ solve proactively quality issues regarding customer complaints and reject rate (in close cooperation with Quality) according to standards 
▪ identify and implement technical production processes optimization potential regarding quality, efficiency and capability (i.e. process parameters as e.g. extrusion speed, vulcanization time, cutting speed, etc.) according to standards

Training and Coaching:

▪ ensure the availability of qualified employees for the product and process industrialization function in cooperation with plant HR
▪ initiate and control the continuous qualification of product and process industrialization employees in cooperation with plant HR

Monitoring and Reporting:

▪ ensure product and process industrialization performance (KPI) monitoring and reporting (e.g. regarding cost, lead time, quality of product and process industrialization activities such as ramp-up projects)
▪ initiate and control measures to improve product and process industrialization performance

Standardization:

▪ ensure local implementation of central product and process industrialization standards
▪ provide feedback and input for further development of standards regarding product and process industrialization processes (e.g. definition of production parameters, production flow plans, production control plans and work instructions, etc.), product and process industrialization IT tools (e.g. FMEA software) to segment, BU or BA functions 

Rubber and plastics tooling, processing and production equipment

Product and process industrialization related technologies, systems, infrastructures, standards and processes

Products, systems and technologies (functionalities and applications) 

Quality management (including quality policies, systems and processes)

Local language & culture (intercultural sensitivity) 

Problem solving and decision making tools and techniquesLean production/CBS principles, methods and tools (e.g. production management system) 

Communication techniques (incl. presentation, change management, negotiation and conflict resolution techniques)

Leadership & management skills (incl. team-building, delegation, performance management and people development techniques)

Project management skills, tools and techniques

University degree, preferably in mechanical/manufacturing engineering, chemistry or related discipline (depending on plant size)

5 or more years of professional experience in various process engineering functions
cross functional experience e.g. in engineering, quality, production or CBS preferred

comprehensive experience in rubber, metal and plastic production processes and ramp-up projects

3 or more years in a leadership position, preferably in a technical team with functional and disciplinary responsibility for other individuals

experience in working with international teams on production topics and understanding of foreign cultures

proficient in minimum 2 languages, English is mandatory

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Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2021, Continental generated sales of €33.8 billion and currently employs more than 190,000 people in 58 countries and markets. On October 8, 2021, the company celebrated its 150th anniversary. 
The ContiTech group sector develops and manufactures, for example, cross-material, environmentally friendly and intelligent products and systems for the automotive industry, railway engineering, mining, agriculture and other key industries. Guided by the vision of “smart and sustainable solutions beyond rubber,” the group sector draws on its long-standing knowledge of the industry and materials to open up new business opportunities by combining various materials with electronic components and individual services.