Director, Supplier Industrialization (Interiors)

We are seeking an experienced Director of Global Interior & Safety Components – Supplier Industrialization to lead end-to-end (cradle-to-grave) commodity industrialization for interior systems and safety-critical components across the global supply base—from sourcing decisions and process design through launch, steady-state production, warranty performance, and product end-of-life transitions. This role is accountable for ensuring suppliers deliver capable processes, compliant product, and robust production systems—on time and at scale—while driving continuous improvement in quality, cost, delivery, and field performance. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in automotive supplier industrialization, interiors and restraint/safety commodities, and cross-functional leadership across engineering, purchasing, quality, manufacturing, and service/warranty organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Own cradle-to-grave global commodity leadership for Interior & Safety components (e.g., IP/console/trim, seats, airbags, belts, steering wheel, sensors/modules), including strategy, supplier selection support, industrialization, launch readiness, and ongoing production/warranty performance.
• Lead cross-functional industrialization reviews from sourcing through SOP: DFM/DFA, process flow, PFMEA, control plan, line layout/capacity, and automation strategy.
• Establish and govern global industrialization standards for supplier process capability (Cp/Cpk), measurement systems (MSA/gage R&R), traceability, EOL testing, and special characteristics management.
• Drive APQP execution and PPAP approval for interior and safety components, ensuring alignment to program timing, regulatory/functional requirements, and customer-quality expectations.
• Lead supplier process and product validation: run-at-rate, production trial builds, capability studies, DV/PV support, and change control (ECR/ECO) to enable zero-surprise launches.
• Build and lead a high-performing global team (supplier industrialization/launch engineers), including regional coverage models, technical coaching, and escalation management.
• Own supplier launch risk management and recovery plans: issue triage, containment, root cause (8D), corrective/preventive actions, and readiness tracking through gated milestones.
• Own warranty and field quality performance for assigned commodities: establish KPIs, lead supplier containment and root cause (8D), drive corrective actions and design/process changes, and ensure lessons learned are fed back into APQP standards and future programs.
• Partner with Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, Quality, and Logistics to optimize cost, lead time, and manufacturability; drive continuous improvement across the supply base during steady-state production, including warranty/field issue prevention and response.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or similar); Master’s degree preferred.
• Significant experience leading supplier industrialization and launch for automotive Interior and/or Safety components, including global supplier footprints.
• Demonstrated people leadership at the manager/director level, including building teams, setting strategy, and driving execution through cross-functional organizations.
• Expert knowledge of APQP/PPAP, PFMEA/DFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, run-at-rate, and process validation methodologies; strong structured problem solving.
• Strong working knowledge of interior manufacturing processes (injection molding, foams, textiles/leather, painting/coatings, assembly) and/or safety component manufacturing and validation (restraint systems, critical testing, traceability, EOL).
• Proven ability to manage supplier readiness metrics, program timing, and executive-level escalations while balancing quality, cost, and delivery.
• Experience leading warranty/field quality investigations and supplier corrective actions for interior and/or safety components, including cross-functional coordination with service, plant, and engineering teams.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills; comfortable operating in a global, fast-paced environment with frequent supplier and plant engagement (domestic/international travel as needed).