New Product Launch Technician II at La-Z-Boy in Dayton, TN

New Product Launch Technician II

Location: Dayton, TN

Comfort starts with our 10,000+ team members across the globe, who are transforming the power of comfort every day. Our employees have the power to change lives, in our homes, work and communities. We foster an inclusive environment while honoring a legacy built on family, where everyone can be themselves.

If you are ready to join an industry leading organization where our people are the most important asset, and innovation propels us into the future, you’re ready to take your seat at La-Z-Boy Incorporated.

WE BELIEVE IN THE TRANSFORMATIONAL POWER OF COMFORT

Manages the new product and engineering program launch and verification process with a focus on communicating the design’s quality and aesthetic expectations, verifying the accuracy of design information, reducing post-launch engineering changes by identifying issues upfront, and leading the initial training at the manufacturing facilities.

Job Description:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (other duties as assigned):

• New Product/Engineering Program Design Development:
  • Review new product/engineering program information sheet and provide kick-off questions
  • Review design iterations for DFMA best practices
  • Actively participates in new product and engineering management reviews, acting as the voice of upholstery manufacturing
  • Actively participates in DFM builds, FMEA, and project team program reviews
  • Recommend data-driven design modifications

• New Product/Engineering Program Validation:
  • Coordinate the delivery of new program verification and engineering pilot build parts from the Innovation Center, internal plant locations, supply centers, and external suppliers to the planned build location
  • Verify the accuracy of design and engineering information such as upholstery notes, prints, and the Bill of Materials
  • Check all applicable wood, poly, fiber bags, and sewn sets against manufacturing requirements
  • Work with engineering to ensure new metal and plastic components and assemblies meet specifications
  • Ensure new program verification and engineering pilot units are scheduled and batched for the build
  • Build all new program verification units, and participate in engineering pilot builds
  • Schedule manufacturing safety reviews with the plant EHS Team during the new program verification and engineering pilot builds
  • Capture, report, and problem solve issues during the new program verification, engineering pilot, and new program/engineering launch meetings
  • Lead new product and engineering program review meeting with the manufacturing plant leadership team
  • Creation of applicable VSWIs

• New Product/Engineering Program Launch:
  • Train the trainers and cell team members on the first production units, explaining quality expectations to ensure they are understood
  • Assist in training as new products and engineering programs are introduced in additional cell locations
  • Assist safe launch with LPA & OOB Audits

SCOPE & IMPACT:

This role is a key position that executes various deliverables in the new product and engineering program design, validation, and launch processes. Any misses in the new product or engineering program launch process could cause delays in production, have a signification negative impact on the company’s ability to deliver on our brand promise, and could have a significant negative impact on the company’s overall profit margin.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• High School diploma or GED with 2-4 years of relevant experience or equivalent
• Must be fully trained in upholstery, framing, sub-upholstery, assembly, and packaging process.
• Full knowledge and understanding of La-Z-Boy’s manufacturing standards and tolerances.
• 5 years’ experience in upholstery cell operations or equivalent design time at R&D.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, upholstery notes, prints, assembly instructions.
• Ability to write reports and correspondence, create presentations, and speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw a valid conclusion from the given premises.
• Operational knowledge of essential computer programs including Microsoft Office (Project, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook), E1, and Agile.
• Ability to travel up to 25%, sometimes with little advanced notice.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Associate degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Quality Engineering
• Knowledge of FMEA, DFM, DFA, and lean production
• Experience with Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), and product quality auditing
• Experience in cost reduction initiatives in a design/manufacturing environment
• Experience with Solidworks or similar CAD software
• Experience with Visio software
• Experience in the creation of VSWIs or other visual work instructions.
• Proficiency in Spanish Language

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Operates in a manufacturing environment which is subject to noise, vibration, hazardous parts/vehicles, fumes/odors and dust. Often required to hear/listen, talk, stand, walk, climb stairs, climb ladders, balance, lift 50 lbs., bend, stoop, kneel/squat, crouch, crawl, and regularly use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, the ability to adjust focus, the ability to distinguish colors and pass a Munsell Color Test.

OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the incumbent for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Weekly Hours:

40

Benefit offerings to employees and their families include: Medical, Vision, Dental and Basic Life Insurance, available 401k retirement plan with company match of up to 6%. Paid time off includes: 9-11 paid holidays each year, two weeks’ prorated vacation as a new hire and either personal time (non-exempt only) or state mandated sick time.

More information can be found via: https://learn.bswift.com/la-z-boy

If this role requires travel / driving in order to perform the key responsibilities outlined above, candidates must be able to meet the qualifications noted in the company’s Driver Management Program to be considered for the role.

At La-Z-Boy Incorporated, we're an equal opportunity employer. We understand that our employees’ diverse backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and viewpoints add value to our ability to create and deliver the best possible service, quality products, and is of utmost importance as we work together to build comfort. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

We are committed to fostering an environment in which all employees feel valued, included, and empowered to do their best work and bring great ideas to the table. If you are a qualified individual that may need a change or adjustment to the application/interviewing/hiring process as a result of your disability, you may request a reasonable accommodations by emailing our recruiting team at recruiting@la-z-boy.com or by calling 734-242-1444.