Product Development Manager

Adient Aerospace is a Joint Venture between Adient and Boeing. Boeing brings a deep knowledge of Aerospace, and Adient is the world’s leader in automotive seating. At Adient Aerospace, it is our mission to deliver innovative seating design through precise operational excellence, resulting in a superior customer experience. We bring the right pieces together, in precisely the right way, at precisely the right time.

Adient Aerospace is looking for a Product Development Manager to join our team in Huntington Beach, California. This is not a remote role and must be based in Huntington Beach, CA. We look for highly proficient individuals who are collaborative, value diversity, enjoy working as a team, and share our passion to succeed. We invest in our employees with opportunities for professional development and we offer competitive benefits.

Are you the right piece to complete our puzzle?

JOB SUMMARY

The Product Development Manager is responsible for partnering with Engineering, Supply Chain, Production, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Suppliers, the SLT and staff to drive cost reduction, set up new production lines and focus on Design to Costs and Design for Manufacturability. 

SUMMARY OF JOB DUTIES - Essential Functions (Other duties and projects may be assigned or requested.)

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

• Work closely with Sourcing, Design and Merchandising, on understanding brand strategy, fabric/product development and initiatives related to product innovation and technology
• Responsible for all phases of product development cycle from the initial concept and design of the product through technical design, sourcing, costing, production
• Support process improvement throughout the development and production phases
• Drive cross functional execution of strategic development projects associated with new product design and technologies
• Support successful execution of design and development phase, including design evolution, oversight of the prototype hardware build within the supply base and validation testing
• Act as a driving force to progress new products and re-alignment initiatives for the cross-border range and enhance the product development process
• Collaborate with IPT (integrated product team) to better understand unmet customer needs and identify product development opportunities
• Analyze assigned product development projects, usually complex in nature, to determine what must be done to solve the problems in question
• Work with project technical leads to resolve technical challenges and conducts schedule and risk trade studies
• Support product development and business unit strategic planning projects
• Work with key stakeholders to develop new product development cost reduction strategic plan and budget proposal
• Coordinate with IPT’s Lead in creating the product road map
• Listen to and understand customer feedback and respond to product suggestions affecting design and cost
• Contribute to product pricing strategies
• Work with a cross-functional team to determine the product's business model
• Create visual management tools to communicate real-time project health and status
• Define the marketing and PR strategies for the product
• Remain abreast of the latest industry trends and technology
• Meet with clients and other key stakeholders
• Coordinate with suppliers to evaluate initial capabilities, ongoing performance, and cost savings opportunities
• Support the sales team by providing product information and demos
• Research and suggest optimized product development and refinements for existing products and review legacy part commonality
• Leverage product data, market and competitive analysis, and achieve a comprehensive understanding of business and user needs, deliver integrated data analytics services and capabilities to solve highly technical, complex real-world problems.
• Perform other duties as required

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS – Education, Knowledge, and Experience

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Engineering or a related field is required

Experience:

• 5 years of direct experience in product management or a related field

Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills required
• Exceptional analytical and conceptual thinking skills
• Deep knowledge of project management
• Ability to influence stakeholders and work closely with them to determine acceptable solutions
• Experience in Stakeholder communications and presentation
• High level of comfort with technology and its development
• Excellent planning, organizational, problem-solving, time management, and communication skills
• Excellent documentation skills along with in-depth knowledge of product strategy
• Experience creating detailed reports and presentations to senior executives and key stakeholders

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Experience with any part of the Product Development Life Cycle
• Experience with aircraft parts, structures and/or components
• Technical/Engineering background desired; highly technical, collaborative, detail oriented, reliable, strives to deliver the highest quality products
• Reporting to the Sr. Director of Program Management, the successful candidate will be highly collaborative, technically savvy, and passionate about delivering value
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively at all levels within the company to influence stakeholders and gain consensus for product strategy and milestones
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced and entrepreneurial environment with a high degree of autonomy and accountability

Other:

• Extended or irregular hours may be required. 
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.   
• Adient Aerospace is an “at-will” employer; employment is at the mutual consent of both the employee and the employer, and may be terminated at will for any reason, with or without cause, at any time during employment with the Company.  
• As business conditions warrant a change in the operating necessities of the Company, all employees are expected to react productively, handle other essential tasks assigned now or in the future.   
• Tasks may vary slightly based on products produced at a division. 
• Up to 25% travel may be required 

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES

• PMP Certification preferred

SUPERVISION PROVIDED TO THE POSITION 

• Direction is provided for assignments in terms of desired outcome (goals), timing and budget.  Work is reviewed or measured in terms of meeting organizational objectives and schedules

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY 

• Works under general supervision, and no instructions are needed for routine work.  Independently determines and develops approaches to solutions

PROBLEM SOLVING 

• Develop and provide solutions to complex problems based on established precedents and are consistent with organization objectives.

LANGUAGE SKILLS 

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing. 

BENEFITS / COMPENSATION 
Adient Aerospace offers competitive wages and benefits to recognize employees for their work. Actual salaries will vary depending on experience and geographic location. 

Salary Range Transparency: $135,000 - $155,000 annually, depending on candidate qualifications

Featured Benefits: 

• Up to 10% bonus potential (for bonus eligible positions) 
• Generous 401(K) matching with immediate eligibility and vesting
• 3 weeks of Paid Time Off 
• 12 paid holidays 
• Affordable health care plans for yourself and your family 
• And so much more! 

Other Perks: 

• On-site gym 
• Free electric car charging stations
• Potential for growth within organization 
• Supportive workplace environment with a team-oriented culture

Salary : $135,000 - $155,000