Guardian Bikes
We’re scaling U.S. manufacturing and localizing safety-critical mechanical components. You will own the program plan, cadence, and cross-functional execution for these efforts—plus lead additional operational projects beyond NPI—while maintaining strict confidentiality over program details.
What you’ll do
Own the plan & cadence:
Build integrated master schedules, critical paths, and RAID logs; run weekly program reviews and executive snapshots; keep milestones green or escalate early with options. Drive cross-functional execution:
Orchestrate Design/Engineering, Supplier Development, Quality, Manufacturing/Operations, SIOP/Planning, Logistics, Finance, and Legal from sourcing through ramp. Stage-gate leadership (NPI & localization):
Business case → sourcing decision → tooling kickoff → pilot builds/PPAP → launch → ramp stabilization. Enforce entry/exit criteria and change control. Supplier & plant readiness:
Coordinate trials, FAT/SAT, capacity proofs, PPAP/FAI timing, control plans, and initial production lots; track yields, PPM, and run-at-rate. Cost/schedule governance:
Build bottoms-up timelines and budgets (tooling, capex, validation, logistics), manage variances, and lead fact-based trade-off decisions with should-cost/TCO inputs. Risk management:
Maintain quantified risk register; drive mitigation/contingency (dual-source, alternate routings, inventory buffers) for schedule, quality, and regulatory risks. Quality & compliance:
Align plans to internal specs and applicable standards (e.g., ISO/CPSC), schedule lab tests, and ensure 8D/NCR closures do not slip the critical path. Operational projects beyond NPI:
Lead additional initiatives (e.g., capacity debottlenecking, cost-down waves, ERP/PLM workflows, facility moves/line installs, logistics transitions) with the same rigor. Communications & confidentiality:
Publish crisp program visuals and one-page updates; gate external comms under NDA and control document access. What you’ll bring 7+ years
managing complex manufacturing or supplier-localization programs (consumer products, powersports/auto, or industrial preferred). Demonstrated success delivering
NPI and non-NPI ops projects
on time and within budget in a factory-centric environment. Fluency with
APQP/PPAP/FAI
, process qualification, capability metrics (Cp/Cpk), and production ramp KPIs (FPY, PPM, run-at-rate). Solid grasp of metal/mechanical processes (forging, machining, forming, welding, finishing) to challenge plans and de-risk timelines. Strong financial acumen: build/track project budgets, tooling amortization, capex gates, and NPV/IRR-style business cases. Tools: MS Project or equivalent (Smartsheet, Asana/Jira), advanced Excel/Sheets, PLM/ERP basics, and clear visual reporting. Exceptional stakeholder management, meeting facilitation, and crisp written communication; comfortable presenting to executives. Bachelor’s in Engineering or Operations/Industrial Management (or equivalent experience). Nice-to-haves Prior PMO leadership or portfolio management across concurrent programs. ISO 9001/IATF 16949 environments; familiarity with layered process audits. Experience transferring tools or re-qualifying suppliers domestically. How we’ll measure success (first 12 months) ≥95% milestone on-time
across assigned programs (with approved variance plans when needed). PPAP/FAI pass-rate ≥90%
on first submission for pilot/launch builds. Ramp stability:
sustained FPY and capacity at or above plan with
zero supply-caused line stops
. Budget adherence:
≤5% variance to approved project budgets/tooling timelines. Playbook uplift:
standardized dashboards, RAID process, and stage-gate templates rolled out across programs. Work setup On-site in Seymour, IN with regular supplier and plant travel. Hands-on time at the line and supplier floor is expected.
Build integrated master schedules, critical paths, and RAID logs; run weekly program reviews and executive snapshots; keep milestones green or escalate early with options. Drive cross-functional execution:
Orchestrate Design/Engineering, Supplier Development, Quality, Manufacturing/Operations, SIOP/Planning, Logistics, Finance, and Legal from sourcing through ramp. Stage-gate leadership (NPI & localization):
Business case → sourcing decision → tooling kickoff → pilot builds/PPAP → launch → ramp stabilization. Enforce entry/exit criteria and change control. Supplier & plant readiness:
Coordinate trials, FAT/SAT, capacity proofs, PPAP/FAI timing, control plans, and initial production lots; track yields, PPM, and run-at-rate. Cost/schedule governance:
Build bottoms-up timelines and budgets (tooling, capex, validation, logistics), manage variances, and lead fact-based trade-off decisions with should-cost/TCO inputs. Risk management:
Maintain quantified risk register; drive mitigation/contingency (dual-source, alternate routings, inventory buffers) for schedule, quality, and regulatory risks. Quality & compliance:
Align plans to internal specs and applicable standards (e.g., ISO/CPSC), schedule lab tests, and ensure 8D/NCR closures do not slip the critical path. Operational projects beyond NPI:
Lead additional initiatives (e.g., capacity debottlenecking, cost-down waves, ERP/PLM workflows, facility moves/line installs, logistics transitions) with the same rigor. Communications & confidentiality:
Publish crisp program visuals and one-page updates; gate external comms under NDA and control document access. What you’ll bring 7+ years
managing complex manufacturing or supplier-localization programs (consumer products, powersports/auto, or industrial preferred). Demonstrated success delivering
NPI and non-NPI ops projects
on time and within budget in a factory-centric environment. Fluency with
APQP/PPAP/FAI
, process qualification, capability metrics (Cp/Cpk), and production ramp KPIs (FPY, PPM, run-at-rate). Solid grasp of metal/mechanical processes (forging, machining, forming, welding, finishing) to challenge plans and de-risk timelines. Strong financial acumen: build/track project budgets, tooling amortization, capex gates, and NPV/IRR-style business cases. Tools: MS Project or equivalent (Smartsheet, Asana/Jira), advanced Excel/Sheets, PLM/ERP basics, and clear visual reporting. Exceptional stakeholder management, meeting facilitation, and crisp written communication; comfortable presenting to executives. Bachelor’s in Engineering or Operations/Industrial Management (or equivalent experience). Nice-to-haves Prior PMO leadership or portfolio management across concurrent programs. ISO 9001/IATF 16949 environments; familiarity with layered process audits. Experience transferring tools or re-qualifying suppliers domestically. How we’ll measure success (first 12 months) ≥95% milestone on-time
across assigned programs (with approved variance plans when needed). PPAP/FAI pass-rate ≥90%
on first submission for pilot/launch builds. Ramp stability:
sustained FPY and capacity at or above plan with
zero supply-caused line stops
. Budget adherence:
≤5% variance to approved project budgets/tooling timelines. Playbook uplift:
standardized dashboards, RAID process, and stage-gate templates rolled out across programs. Work setup On-site in Seymour, IN with regular supplier and plant travel. Hands-on time at the line and supplier floor is expected.