Senior Trim Engineering Manager

Trillium Professional has a direct hire opportunity in Plymouth, MI for a Senior Trim Engineering Manager.

Relocation assistance is available for the right candidate. Annual salary is $170,000 per year.

The Senior Trim Engineering Manager manages the trim design and processes for a seating business unit. They provide technical leadership, develop technical skills and knowledge, and give direction to the trim engineers and technicians on the team. The manager delivers customer support for trim, phases 1-6, and works to ensure time, cost objectives and product performance are met. They manage trim resources, budget, and best practices and communicate effectively with all management levels.

The role also supports global programs, manufacturing feasibility and relationship building with global teams.

• Lead trim product development for a seating business unit.
• Lead trim design reviews and open issues meetings.
• Ensure trim best practices and processes are applied appropriately.
• Review DFMEAs and ensure high RPNs are designed out or have a corrective action plan.
• Design trim patterns aligned with the trim, foam interface template and follow Design for Assembly guidelines.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of trim cover construction processes.
• Coach and apply principles of two-dimensional pattern design using manual patterns, Optitex 2D CAD tools and Lectra as appropriate.
• Provide engineering solutions based on data-driven problem solving and the Basic Engineering Process (BEP).
• Implement trim design solutions that meet quality, cost and craftsmanship objectives.
• Influence seat and foam engineering input for flawless seat appearance and craftsmanship.
• Support complete seat build events.
• Recommend solutions to process issues within sew and JIT facilities and support the creation of manufacturing ODS documentation.
• Maintain knowledge of equipment used in trim cover creation (NC cutter, sewing machines, etc.).
• Approve release of trim data in TPDM and PLM, including all required documentation and drawings.
• Approve trim changes and deviations in TPDM and PLM.
• Review cost, performance, timing and investment versus customer targets with core team members (PM, AFM).
• Ensure a complete corrective action plan is in place and agreed on with the core SDT when the product is not conforming to expectations.

• Plan and execute all PLUS trim engineering deliverables for on-time gate exits (cost, ED&D, requirements, manufacturability, EBOM, drawings, etc.).
• Negotiate directly with the customer to resolve trim issues.
• Provide clear direction from the voice of the customer to internal engineering groups.
• Manage issue resolution aligned to customer timelines and integrate design development with all CS groups (foam, materials, metals, mechanisms, plastics, comfort and SMTEs).
• Support the Director of Engineering and Platform Director in resolving customer and business unit trim issues and drive integration of the SDT into product development.
• Coordinate activities with Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, etc. to support successful program execution and launch readiness.
• Use and apply all standards and systems (PLUS, Lean, CPP, PLM, BEP).
• Possess working knowledge of trim design tools (Optitex, Lectra, etc.).
• Develop and meet the approved trim budget; ensure proper PDx documents are developed and approved before spending; ensure customer trim scope changes are documented, budgeted and approved before activity; plan resources appropriately to meet deliverables.
• Manage and implement strategic initiatives and systems (PDfSS, Six Sigma, Kepner-Tregoe, PLUS, offshore design, trim SMTE, etc.).
• Manage and implement required training for trim engineers, technicians and support personnel for all trim technical skill requirements; teach and coach others in BEP and creation/review of A3s, A4s, tactical plans and issues lists.
• Drive improvements through lessons-learned analysis and communicate across the trim organization.
• Manage career planning and personal development of staff.
• Ensure annual performance reviews are completed on time.

Some global and regional travel is required. This position reports to the Director of Engineering.

• B.S. in Engineering.
• 10-15 years of trim product development experience.
• 5 years in a supervisory position in trim product development.

Trillium is an Equal Opportunity Employer.