Job Title
Global Fit Engineering Manager

Company/Organization
Yakima Products, Inc.

Job Description
General Description:

The Global Fit Manager will develop and lead the global Fit strategy and execution for all Yakima brands. The Global Fit Manager is responsible for leading the Yakima corporate efforts for fitting products to vehicles. These efforts include: fit process, fit creation, fit testing, fit prioritization and compiling / disseminating Fit data across the global market.

The Global Fit Manager is responsible for contributing to and leading a multidisciplinary team working on new and sustaining fit projects. The Global Fit Manager will be responsible for and direct Engineering and Fit Technicians using criteria established by the Product Managers. In addition the position will drive creation of the Product Specification and will partner with R&D, Kemflo, Global Brand, and other groups to ensure design feasibility, attainment of profit objectives, and project timelines.

Scope & Responsibilities:

•Manages a team of Fit Specialists who execute the global fit process, including hiring, performance management and training
•Must have technical expertise to analyze, evaluate and create a global fit process suitable for all RBUs. Fit Manager will have primary responsibility for actual engineering and development of fit process and vehicle fitting kits / systems.
•Working with key stakeholders (Product / Brand Managers) the Fit Manager will implement a structured vehicle fit process that will enable all vehicles determined as “target” to be fit in a time that meets market demands.
•Fit Manager will lead and manage efforts to follow and understand automotive industry trends, consumer needs and competitive environment.
•The Global Fit Manager is responsible for developing, maintaining and distributing technical information on new and existing Yakima Fit products.
•Working with the Marketing team, they are responsible for developing innovative methods to facilitate customer understanding and drive sales. In addition they will maintain a comprehensive list of all vehicles that Yakima currently fits, and should fit in the future. Fit Manager drives strategy and timelines to implement Fit needs of company.

Specific Duties:

•Consulting with all stakeholders (RBUs and Kemflo) Develop repeatable / rapid fitting process that is scalable across multiple markets. Develop tools and train RBUs in use as required. Ensure adherence to new process.
•Take ownership of and lead Global Fit process and interactions with Kemflo, Yakima AU, US, EU and other partners involved in Fit. Design, implement and ensure ongoing compliance. Monitor for continuous improvement.
•Engineer and develop fits kits and systems for target vehicles. Work with product team to bring designs through manufacture to market.
•Identify and quantify individual market needs. Resource and staff appropriately
•Lead development and management of Global process to determine, schedule and prioritize fit requirements. Schedule regular meetings with stakeholders to establish and confirm priorities and timing.
•Develop objective standards to ensure all Fits meet quantifiable standards of safety.
•Create annual budget and strategy objectives to meet corporate objectives. Manage to objectives and report status on quarterly basis.
•Work closely with P.D. through the critical stages of new product development to insure that new products meet Yakima’s fit standards of safety, durability and ease-of-use.
•Participate in the quality and warranty process to ensure that proper vehicle fit is considered in all product issues.
•Project Lead for the Fit section of FMS and Data Base projects.
•Manage, create and maintain a photo and physical library of products installed on vehicles for PD, Sales, CBM and the Marketing/Art department.
•Manage inventory of benchmark samples, historical and current product inventory for PD, Testing and Customer Service in the Fit warehouse.
•Organize product clinics for in house staff, outside sales and key accounts as needed.
•Supervise and train any new Fit Technicians that may be hired to enable him/her to effectively complete their determined job responsibilities.
•Responsible for all capital assets owned by Fit Team such as Fit Bay and fleet of Vans.
•Manage regional fit related regulatory constraints (TUV, GS, etc)

Qualifications:

•Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in Design/Mechanical Engineering or related field.
•Minimum ten (10) years of related engineering work experience required.
•Experience managing and leading at team preferred
•Engineering product development, process and quality experience.
•Proficiency in the use of Solidworks CAD and/or Creo software including Surfacing and analysis packages
•A thorough understanding of manufacturing processes, test methods and basic machine shop practices, including but not limited to injection molding, vacuum forming, metal fabrication, die casting and extrusions.
•Lean manufacturing experience, experience with off-shore manufacturers, mechanism design, and knowledge of outdoor products or equipment preferred.
•Experience using design tools such as QFD, FMEA and GD&T.
•Written and Oral Skills: English mandatory, Mandarin desired.
•Advanced level with P.C.’s: Microsoft Office Suite; Outlook; PowerPoint.
•Five (5) years experience in completing and managing projects with minimal oversight and against aggressive timelines.
•U.S. citizen or must possess valid INS Green Card.
•Must possess a valid/current passport and ability to travel internationally without restrictions.
•Must possess a valid driver’s license with no major violations within the last five (5) years.

Physical Requirements:

•Able to sit and work at a computer keyboard for extended periods of time.
•Able to perform general office and administrative duties: copying, filing, using a telephone, etc.
•Able to stoop, crouch, kneel, bend at the waist and reach on a daily basis.
•Able to safely lift, move, and carry objects of up to 80 pounds occasionally.
•Able to safely operate machinery in a Model Shop and Test Lab environment; such as hand drills, drill press, sanders, electric hoists and various hand tools.
•Able to use hands to handle or feel objects, tools or controls, and operate hand tools and machinery.
•Must have corrected vision to 20/30.
•Must not be color blind.
•Must be able to distinguish colors and tints.
•Requires close vision abilities.
•Must be able to work overtime and weekends as required.
•Able to speak and present information in small and large group settings.
•Must be able to travel up to 20% of time domestically and/or internationally via commercial carrier.

The complete job posting can be found at www.yakima.com

Compensation:

DOE
Comprehensive benefit package provided
EOE/M/F/D/V

How to Apply
To apply for this position please submit your resume and salary requirements to: FitEngMgr@Yakima.com