China Die & Press ME Technical and Global Die Project Management Lead

Job Description

This role is a local hire position and not an International Service Program (ISP) assignment; only candidates who are eligible to be hired locally in the job location will be considered.

Work Arrangement 

This role is categorized as on-site. This means the successful candidate is expected to be physically located at PATAC, collaborate with the JV, and report to GM ​in Shanghai, China full time.

The Role -

This role includes Die & Press Manufacturing Engineering technical leadership in China with Global Die Sourcing ownership for stamping, hemming and potential polymer dies executed in China. The position provides technical direction and coaching to China JVs and China ME teams, leads die and press strategy deployment, and acts as the single global technical owner for China‑sourced dies for GMSA program and future GMSA/global region programs.

The leader owns end‑to‑end die sourcing execution – from SE/DFM and process strategy through die build, tryout, FPR, MRDs and homeline support – ensuring robust quality, cost and delivery (QCD) while building a sustainable China die engineering capability and supplier base.

What You’ll Do -

1. Die & Press ME Technical Leadership in China (GM + JVs)

• Provide technical leadership and coaching for Die & Press ME across China (GM and JVs, with focus on SGMW):
• Support new and major programs in MPS studies, manufacturing strategy, budget and die/press peer reviews.
• Drive application of global die and press standards, GBOP, BOE/BOO/PCP/GDHS in China projects.
  Support JV Press ME on press capacity and productivity studies, layout/enabler development and peer reviews.
• Maintain an up‑to‑date view of China JV press shop layouts, enablers and productivity metrics (e.g., Harbour index) and recommend improvement actions.
• Lead benchmarking and best practice sharing for die/press ME among GMNA, SGM, SGMW and other JVs.

2. Global Die Sourcing Ownership (Global Program & Pipeline)

• Act as global technical owner for all stamping and hemming die sourcing in China for GMSA program and for future GMSA/global programs.
• Own end‑to‑end timing, risk visibility, mitigation and escalation from MMR through FPR, MRDs, Buyoff and homeline tryout.
• Ensure full compliance with Global SE/process/forming/safety/HSS standards and global GM tooling practices.
• Define and maintain RACI and gateway expectations (MMR, P2, FPR, MRDs, HLTO/HOME line tryout) for all stakeholders.

• Integrated Planning Across Regions, China ME and Suppliers

• Coordinate one integrated die sourcing and execution plan across:
• GMSA program and stamping,
• GM China ME and China Body/Stamping ME organizations,
• China die suppliers (Tier 1 and Tier 2) and key JV partners.
• Consolidate supplier schedules, critical paths and risk items into a single global view and drive countermeasures to protect QCD and VDP timing.
• Provide clear, data‑based reporting and recommendations to GM/GMSA leadership.

3. SE/DFM, Process Strategy and Technical Direction

• Lead SE/DFM, forming strategy and process sheets for all China‑sourced die lines, working with SE & Process Engineering, global SE/forming teams, and supplier design teams.
• Approve key formability and process decisions for HSS and Class‑A panels; ensure correct interpretation and closure of forming simulations (e.g., AutoForm or equivalent).
• Confirm process and die concepts ahead of VDP milestones (MMR, P2) and guide EOs through impact assessments and implementation.
• Coordinate with MSIE and plants to ensure press feasibility and capacity (press selection, tonnage, binder travel, automation, layout constraints) are embedded in die/process decisions.

• Die Execution, Tryout, FPR and Homeline Support

• Oversee pattern build, tryout, re‑work loops and final buyoff for all China‑sourced dies in scope.
• Direct execution teams and suppliers on open‑issue tracking, countermeasures and escalation.
• Approve tryout plans, measurement strategies, correction loops and buyoff criteria.
• Lead FPR preparation and final quality approval, and ensure robust technical support through MRDs and homeline tryout at Brazil and other plants.

4. Global / Regional Interface and Governance

• Serve as single point of contact between China JVs/China ME and global stamping architect, die/press centers and other ME organizations.
• Continuously update global partners on JV and China sourcing status, issues and best practices via councils, studio architect reviews, FA/BOP/PFMEA, BOE/BOO and other forums.
• Build effective linkage among planning, global ME, JVs and China ME to ensure aligned strategies and clear role definition.

• Team Leadership and Capability Build

• Lead the China stamping ME and die sourcing team (Global Lead + SE & Process Engineer + Execution Engineer + MSIE and broader ME community).
• Define clear responsibilities, standard work and interfaces for team members aligned with VDP timing and sourcing scope.
• Lead onboarding and capability‑build plans for new hires (project scope, HSS/Class‑A content, China Direct Sourcing strategy, supplier scorecards, templates and checklists).
• Provide mentoring and technical coaching for China ME and JV ME engineers in die and press domains.

5. Supplier Capability, Allocation and Strategy

• Drive supplier readiness checks, coaching and technical governance for China die suppliers (Tier 1 & Tier 2).
• Support die allocation in China for other GM regions as required, including capability and feasibility assessments of China tooling vendors.
• Benchmark supplier performance vs. global best practice and define actions to improve cost, quality and timing.
• Support long‑term China tooling and sourcing strategy, building a sustainable, competitive supplier base for future GMSA/global programs.

• Issue Resolution, BPD and Continuous Improvement

• Lead or support issue tracking and resolution for prioritized die/press topics in China and JVs with robust project management (plans, reviews, result validation).
• Fully engage in China ME BPD, acting as SME for relevant elements (e.g., “Get Product Right”), and drive deployment in die/press ME and die sourcing.
• Promote and deploy Innovation Marketplace ideas and other continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, cost and productivity.

6. Risk Management and Reporting

• Identify and manage key risks including late hiring vs. VDP, HSS/Class‑A capability gaps, team overload and regional role clarity.
• Define and implement mitigation actions (e.g., early requisitions, targeted talent sourcing, temporary support, capacity protection in workload & leveling).
• Maintain a disciplined weekly/monthly reporting cadence to leadership on status, risks, decisions and required support.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications) 

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years experience in global die sourcing project management, stamping die engineering, die execution and/or stamping / press ME, ideally including both OEM and tooling supplier interfaces.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Die engineering and design of BIW stamped sheet metal parts.
  • Sheet metal formability, especially HSS/advanced high‑strength steel and Class‑A outer panels.
  • Transfer and conventional press line configuration, integration and constraints.
• Proven experience leading complex, multi‑year die/tooling programs with aggressive QCD and timing targets.
• Demonstrated strength in project management, risk management and cross‑functional coordination across regions and organizations.
• High level of interpersonal skills; able to effectively influence and collaborate with global teams, JVs and suppliers.
• Fluent written and spoken English and Chinese.
• Ability to travel as required (China domestic and international).

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience as a technical lead or manager for die/stamping/press ME teams, including people development and coaching.
• Experience working with China JVs (e.g., SGMW, SGM) and/or other global OEM–JV environments.
• Familiarity with GMW and GM global tooling standards, GBOP, GMS and BPD processes.
• Advanced proficiency in Siemens NX, AutoForm or similar formability tools, with demonstrated authority in critical technical reviews.
• Background in supplier development, tooling vendor management, global sourcing or program management is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to present to and influence senior leadership, providing clear options and recommendations.

This role is categorized as onsite. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location on a full-time basis.

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