Parts Readiness Lead Manager

The Parts Readiness Lead Manager is responsible for ensuring that all service parts required for domestic and international vehicle program launches in NA are ordered, shipped, received, and available in accordance with established launch milestones. This role leads the end-to-end parts readiness process, coordinates domestic and international Inventory Control Analysts, and serves as the primary escalation point for issues that may affect on-time parts availability. The position works cross-functionally with Purchasing, Parts Definition, Supply Chain, Packaging, and international teams to remove roadblocks, mitigate risk, and protect launch timing.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the parts readiness process for assigned domestic and international vehicle programs from initial planning through launch and post-launch stabilization.
• Ensure domestic and international Inventory Control Analysts place orders for all required launch parts in time to meet program milestones and customer availability targets.
• Establish and maintain program-level timing plans, part-ordering targets, readiness dashboards, risk logs, and recovery actions.
• Monitor launch-critical and all-parts availability, identify gaps early, and drive corrective actions to prevent shortages or late deliveries.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for Inventory Control Analysts when part definition, sourcing, supplier, packaging, logistics, system, or regional issues delay order placement or fulfillment.
• Remove roadblocks by coordinating timely decisions and actions across Purchasing, Parts Definition, Supply Chain, Engineering, suppliers, and international teams.
• Lead recurring cross-functional readiness reviews and communicate status, risks, decisions, owners, and due dates.
• Align domestic and international teams on program scope, launch timing, order quantities, shipment commitments, and inventory requirements.
• Escalate critical risks to leadership with clear business impact, containment plans, and recommended actions.
• Develop standardized processes, governance, and reporting to improve launch execution and visibility across regions.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that reduce late orders, shorten issue-resolution time, and improve on-time parts availability.
• Prepare and deliver concise executive updates on readiness performance, key risks, and recovery plans.

Key Competencies:

• Ownership and accountability
• Cross-functional leadership and influence
• Risk management and structured problem-solving
• Proactive escalation and rapid issue resolution
• Data-driven decision-making
• Global collaboration and cultural awareness
• Clear executive communication
• Customer-focused launch execution

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Program Management, Engineering, Logistics, Operations, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of program or project management experience, preferably supporting product or vehicle launches.
• Demonstrated experience in supply chain, inventory planning, material planning, logistics, purchasing, or related operations.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional and geographically dispersed teams.
• Proven ability to identify risks, resolve complex issues, remove roadblocks, and drive actions to completion.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple programs and priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present status and risks to leadership.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, PowerBI, and data-reporting or visualization tools.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Automotive, aftermarket, service-parts, or new-model launch experience.
• Experience working with domestic and international supply chains, suppliers, or regional operations.
• Knowledge of inventory control, forecasting, material requirements planning, supplier capacity, parts ordering, transportation, and warehouse receiving processes.
• Experience with Power BI, Qlik Sense, ERP, MRP, or inventory-management systems.
• Experience developing launch-readiness metrics, recovery plans, and executive-level reporting.