Principal Advisor - Factory Product Interface

VW. Two letters. Endless opportunities. A bright future. 

Innovation. Sophistication. Optimization. This is our Passion. 

Worldwide, the Volkswagen Group has a long tradition of innovations. The Volkswagen Group with its headquarters in Wolfsburg is one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe. The Group comprises divers brands in several European countries: e.g. Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Scania or MAN. Here in the US, we are blending German engineering with American ingenuity.

With our battery activities we are ready to challenge the status quo. Our mission is to power the transformation towards electric mobility and renewable energy by building a local battery industry. And we believe that it is time for a new generation of batteries: Safer, more sustainable and more resilient. Batteries with positive power. Batteries for generations to come. We are shaping the battery future. And just as it needs a lot of different expertise to scale big projects, the battery future will be built by people with a wide range of skills and experience. We are chemists, project managers, battery experts, procurement specialists, IT professionals, sustainability experts, and more. Regardless of your background, if you are up for the challenge, join our mission and be part of the change.

Principal Advisor - Factory

Role Summary:

• Steer the collaboration within Operations and manage the interface with Product Management, Engineering and Purchasing.
• Requirements management and premises within the product project representing the Operations perspectives.
• Managing resources and ensuring efficient utilization of project management tools (e.g. project plan, risk management, change management, documentation and reporting).
• Assess the feasibility of new product or strategic collaboration projects from Operations view in alignment with all Operations functions.
• Working on several tasks while self-responsible working on the specification of costs, goals, deadlines and methods.
• Developing content for specified tasks with mostly existing, in-depth expert knowledge of the task areas.
• Independently preparing and coordinating decision papers, taking into account deadlines, costs and deviations in content.
• Developing and evaluating alternatives, taking into account departmental objectives (on time, on spec, on budget).
• Specify and secure the application of novel technologies under consideration of internal and external regulations.

Role Responsibilities:

• Full responsibility for the coordination of the interface between Operations, Development, Purchasing, Finance and Product Management.
• Responsibility for design for manufacturing and design to cost process within Operations.
• Setting up the SE-Team (simultaneous engineering) within Operations incl. definition of the governance for SE-Team structure.
• Responsible for reporting project status in Project meeting and to Headquarter.
• Setting up governance for operating process regarding change management within Operations and the interfaces.
• Change Manager for all releases of approved changes by Operations (incl. full evaluation on time, spec, budget) - Managing the Interface for Changes with Engineering, Prod. management.
• Initiation of change requests and preparation and presentation of decision papers. Coordinate with relevant Operations departments regarding the implementation of product requirements from Product Management, Reporting and leading Change management.
• Governance and standardization of Project Management within Operations in close alignment with Product Management.
• Furthermore: Special tasks within the scope of the job holder's knowledge.

Additional responsibilities

• Working closely with PowerCo SE on Ramp Up during ramp up of first Gigafactory SF.SZ-1.

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of professional experience in chemical industry, preferred in battery and/or automotive industry.

Education:

Required

• Bachelor in chemistry, chemical engineering, material sciences, or a comparable qualification.

Desired

• Master or Doctorate Degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, material sciences, or a comparable qualification.

Skills:

• Shares a real passion for our mission and vision of a carbonless future.
• Analytical and conceptual thinking – using logic and reason, creative and strategic.
• Able to lead Project (set the Project goal, costs, team, etc.).
• Communication skills – interpersonal, ability manage relationships internally (within team, with other teams) and externally (suppliers, teams of partnering companies).
• Experienced in process development and leading technical discussions between equipment planning and technical development.
• Organized, meticulous, and has clear written and verbal communication.
• Ability to successfully manage projects and meet deadlines amidst changing requirements and priorities.
• Integration – joining people, processes or systems.
• Embrace new challenges, learn new techniques, and surpass internal goals.
• Demonstrate flexibility and resourcefulness allowing smooth adaptation to a constantly evolving environment and work priorities.

Specialized Skills:

Required

• Communication and presentation skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills to anticipate challenges and identify solutions.
• Experience in developing strong working relationships across many layers of an organization and across cultural boundaries.
• Expert knowledge in lithium ion battery design and manufacturing processes.

Desired

• Knowledge in ramping up a new product into mass production.

Work Flexibility

• Day shift working time (engineering table place) – traveling time up to 70%.

In San Jose, California, the salary range for this role is $153,400 to $230,000, depending on education and experience. 

We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V.  We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.   

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.  Please contact us to request accommodation.   

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