VAA Strategy and Planning Lead

Responsibilities

• Develop strategy and planning for third‑party Value Added Assembler (VAA) suppliers supporting new program launches.
• Help foster strong collaboration across GM teams and supplier partners.
• Support onboarding of third‑party VAA personnel into GM systems as needed.
• Build effective working relationships with plant teams, coworkers, and suppliers.
• Support Manufacturing Integration Managers (MIMs) with eSOR kickoffs and issue resolution.
• Author eSORs for programs within assigned plants.
• Provide VAA subject matter expertise and support technical reviews.
• Develop cost target estimates for VAA modules being sourced.
• Create and maintain VAA processes and documentation as needed.
• Develop and improve VAA standardized work, including TISs, RASICs, forms, and timelines.
• Support development and review of business cases as needed.
• Represent Vehicle Systems Manufacturing Engineering in interactions with VAAs.
• Provide VAA cost input to MPS studies, including target estimates, tooling and M&E costs, and trial part costs.
• Partner with CMEs to ensure VAA content and assembly requirements are included in design and PDT/CIT team activities.
• Support VAA Execution MEs in obtaining and delivering control drawings to VAAs.
• Support VAA Execution MEs in obtaining and delivering first‑release MPDs to VAAs.
• Ensure startup funding for VAA pre‑production activities, including training and system validation parts, is identified and provided to the IM and MIM for inclusion in MPS planning.
• Onboard appropriate VAA personnel into required GM systems and serve as sponsor as needed.
• Complete VAA RV checklist requirements for DSI and CSO gates.

• 5+ years of experience in an associated sub‑system, assembly plant and/or product environment, program management, assembly operations, or launch‑related work
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience in process and tooling
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong interpersonal, collaboration, and team‑building skills
• Strong presentation and communication skills
• Understanding of short lead time environments
• Ability to travel domestically up to 5% to GM plants and VAA supplier locations
• Preferred Qualifications:
  
  5+ years of experience in processing, tooling, M&E development, or launch management
• In‑depth knowledge of VAA commodities
• Assembly plant experience
• Industrial engineering experience
• Understanding of GVDP (Global Vehicle Development Process)
• Engineering degree