Launch Director

We are looking for a experienced Launch Director to join us in our mission to contribute to a greener future. The role is a part of our excellent Factory Launch team based in Skellefteå. By joining us, you will be a key player in industrializing a product and contribute to building one of the first large scale European battery factories.

About the job:

As part of your scope as a Launch Director at Northvolt, you will 3ork closely with the project sponsor, cross-functional teams, and assigned launch managers to plan and develop scope, deliverables, required resources, work plan, and timing for new initiatives. Furthermore, you will manage program and project teams for optimal return-on-investment, and coordinate/delegate cross-project initiatives. Thirdly, you will develop and manage budgets for projects and be accountable for delivering against established business goals/objectives​.

The objectives of the role include delivering launch projects on time within cost and time, as well as developing and owning strategic product launch plans. Secondly, the aim is for you to be the factory operations interface to the Customer Program manager. You will need to ensure that process equipment and product Design meet manufacturability at a steady state. You will also need to ensure that equipment is installed, commissioned, qualified and ramped up as well as ensure that product and equipment modifications are integrated on time.

The person we are looking for is driven, caring and structured. You thrive by leading others and work towards common goals. You are used to a high paced work environment and got good time management skills. Qualities that we cherish are flexibility, sense of quality, friendliness, motivation to take on new challenges, grit and a sense of humor.

Northvolt is an equal opportunity employer. We're a diverse group of individuals, united by a common mission, who recognise that while our actions as individuals have a role to play in driving Northvolt towards its goals, we always seek to move forward as a team. We offer you an open and welcoming atmosphere where we win as a team – and fail as a team. Northvolt is growing at the speed of light and we are a strong believer in internal career development. For us it’s important to look at your skills and potential, please refrain form including your picture and age with your application to help us with this.

Apply with CV in english or your complete LinkedIn profile.

Full time employment, fixed salary.

Skills & Requirements

We believe that you have :

• A relevant university degree (B.Sc. / M.Sc. or similar). Engineering degree is preferred but not required.
• 10+ years working experience of relevant industrial experience of product launch, operational excellence and/or factory ramp-ups.
• Project management experience in a demanding industrial environment.
• Must have worked in multicultural environment.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Track record as Industrialization or Program Director driving complex project elements in design and execution.
• Experience of launching products

Bonus points for:

• Fluency in other languages (Japanese, Swedish, Chinese, French)
• Experience from a multi-cultural environment
• Perform machine and process capability studies and lead the team members on SPC and quality process release activities.
• Development and implementation of quality procedures and instructions
• Introduction and implementation of IATF 16949 audit
• Taking a part in internal audit and release process audit
• Performing manufacturing process audits
• Participation in product audits problem solving
• Embrace risk based thinking within the team. Report and mitigate safety relevant issues within the team in the appropriate system.
• Train production and process quality employees and support development of production documentation, e.g. SOPs
• Be part of equipment commissioning team and deliver acceptance testing and qualification milestones of new process equipment and installation of additional production lines

The person we are looking for is a team player, curious and eager to learn. A background within battery, materials testing, materials science and materials engineering is very good to have. Especially the ability to manage method development and experience with validation.

Education/Experience

• MSc degree in Chemistry/Manufacturing/Engineering
• 5+ years of relevant work experience in similar role within high volume assembly/production, e.g., pharma, mining, food, metallurgy
• Knowledge about FMEA, Control Plan, PPAP, SPC, MSA, Risk Management, Data analysis with statistical tools, drawings and special characteristics
• Knowledge of basic problem solving process, 8D, 5Why, Ishikawa, Pareto
• Knowledge of quality requirements and standards of the automotive industry (IATF 16949:2016, VDA standards)

Additional Skills (Desired, but not Required)

• Experience in crystallization or calcination process
• Certified six sigma professional green or black belt
• Internal auditor certification for ISO9001 or VDA6.3

Specific skills

• Excellent English written and oral skills, Swedish is a plus
• Highly organized and results driven
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office, experienced in using data analysis software, e.g. Minitab
• An eye for detail
• Expert in non-conformity management and 8D
• Exceptionally good problem-solving skills
• Ability to work under high pressure and tight deadlines, excellent time management
• Ability to work well with others in a team environment, as well as independently