Equipment Planner

Overview

The Assembly Equipment Planner is responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing equipment and tooling projects across assembly areas to support new model introductions, engineering changes, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role serves as the key liaison between process engineering, production, maintenance, and suppliers, ensuring all assembly equipment is designed, procured, installed, and commissioned on time, within budget, and in compliance with safety and quality standards.

Responsibilities

Project Planning and Coordination

• Develop equipment concepts, layouts, and specifications for new or modified assembly equipment and tooling.
• Create project timelines, cost estimates, and resource plans to support program milestones and launch schedules.
• Coordinate equipment planning activities across all assembly areas, including Chassis, Powertrain, Marriage, and Final Assembly.
• Track project progress, manage risks, and ensure timely completion of all equipment deliverables.
• Support engineering change coordination meetings, feasibility studies, and cost analyses for potential projects.
• Serve as the primary contact for equipment suppliers throughout design, build, and installation phases.
• Monitor supplier progress, ensuring adherence to timing, budget, and specification requirements.

Equipment Implementation and Launch Support

• Lead equipment readiness activities, including design reviews, installation tracking, and buyoff coordination.
• Verify equipment functionality and readiness during pre-production, pilot, and launch phases.
• Support machine and process capability studies to ensure equipment meets performance and quality standards.
• Track and close punch list items, ensuring all equipment is fully accepted and handed over to production.

Documentation, Reporting, and Communication

• Develop and maintain comprehensive equipment tracking databases, project scorecards, and status reports.
• Prepare and present project updates in cross-functional and management meetings.
• Ensure all technical and safety documentation is completed and stored according to plant standards.
• Document lessons learned and contribute to continuous improvement of the equipment planning process.
• Identify and support implementation of process or equipment improvements to enhance performance, maintainability, and ergonomics.
• Ensure all activities comply with safety, environmental, and quality requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering (or related field).
• 3+ years of experience in equipment planning, project management, or manufacturing engineering within an assembly environment.
• Strong understanding of assembly processes, automation systems, and production equipment lifecycle management.
• Knowledge and understanding of equipment in Vision Systems, automation, robotic cells, gluing equipment, filling equipment, fastening technology, handling devices, conveyors and controls technology
• Proficient in CAD tools, MS Project (or similar scheduling tools), DIALOG, RPlan, SAP, ECM, SWAN.
• Proven ability to coordinate complex projects involving multiple departments and suppliers.
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams under tight deadlines.