Mgr, Test Fleet Operations East (Job Number: AUD001864)

Description

"Vorsprung durch Technik" or, "Progress through Technology" is our company ethos and is the core belief that drives the development of every Audi vehicle. It inspires the innovative solutions, revolutionary engineering and progressive design that have become synonymous with the Audi name. And it reminds us to challenge ourselves, rewrite the rules from time to time and always fuel our pioneering spirit. The spirit that sets us apart on the racetrack and the open road. In our relentless pursuit to become the number one premium car brand in America, we need employees who share in this spirit of challenging the status quo in everything that we do.

Role Summary:

• The Manager Operations East, monitors testing and development of pre-production & production vehicles at Allendale, NJ and Duette, FL stations, assuring SOP’s are met as defined within Audi AG product release protocols, including technical training to professional development. Necessary expansions of his business units (Allendale, NJ and Duette, FL), as well as providing a balanced budget at the end of a business year
• The Manager supports all efforts regarding Facility Management at the Allendale, NJ and Duette, FL test stations including Capital Invest & Tenant Management. Oversees governance (Environmental Health and Safety) compliance related 1^st line of defense tasks for          the US Testing Stations
• The Manager supports strategic station developments (Allendale, NJ and Duette, FL)
• The Manager’s supervision collectively works, implements, maintains the integrity, ethics and governance/ compliance systems while acting as an independent function  (multi-eye principle)
• The role reports directly to the Director, NAR Test Fleet and executes complex tasks that require a high level of independence and decision making capabilities

Role Responsibilities:

East Station Operations – (70%)

• Direct the East Test Stations (Allendale, NJ and Duette, FL) on a daily basis
• Maintain testing programs using external drivers to evaluate prototypes and ensure usability of collected information’s
• Conduct set-up of new verification and validation test cycles
• Conduct effective testing, reporting, repairing and updating of all US/A PT Test Fleet Vehicles
• Define capacity, services, repairs and updates; report requested results to all development concerns
• Reach decisions within the specified area of responsibility as well as delegate tasks/decisions to qualified employees, while retaining responsibility
• Oversee Management of all FieldGlass related topics from the initial Job Posting to Recruiting and weekly time sheet submissions; maintain the FieldGlass system as needed
• Assist in quotes for vendor bids, reviewing proposals, submitting business cases and SAFs along with the Financial Coordinator
• Assist in creating and approves documented work instructions and reviews respective  standards and instructions, evaluates effectiveness and develops new methodologies to optimize workflows and efficiencies on an ongoing basis
• Organize and expand testing needs to incorporate new technology structures
• Assist with preparing and conducting management drives for SOPs and prototype vehicles hosted in various US regions
• Oversees excellent facility working conditions and minimizes disruptive impact, as well as downtime for all engineering departments located in Allendale, NJ and Duette, FL
• Creates, maintains, reviews, and evaluates job descriptions and initiates hiring process
• Manages and administers performance and talent management process for all direct reports, set goals and objectives, provide constructive feedback and create development plans and assures necessary qualifications of team members for defined tasks
• Multi-eye review with Audi NAR Test Fleet Leadership Team across all test stations in regards to PMP evaluations, merit, bonus and HR related topics

NAR Test Fleet Station Management – (10%)

• Supports Allendale, NJ and Duette, FL related properties including communication with facility vendors
• Supports all Audi NAR Test Fleet stations to meet all safety requirements in conjunction with other VWGoA property facility reps or landlords, state and federal regulators
• Supports security & emergency response plans, crisis situation handling, personnel safety and specialty situation response (e.g. pandemics, natural disasters, etc.), as well as emergency response to local authorities (fire, police, OSHA, etc.)

Budgeting & Purchasing (10%)

• Maintain, track and quarterly reporting of allocated operational budget to Director NAR Test Fleet
• Adheres to company’s cost saving principles, makes effective cost related decisions and reports respective team’s financial summary to leadership team and financial coordinator on a as needed basis
• Assist the Financial Coordinator with vendor bids, reviewing applicants, submitting business cases and SAF requests
• Assist Director Audi NAR Test Fleet and Financial Coordinator with all budget related processes to ensure that budget goals are reached
• Assumes partial accountability for budget planning, executes spending, and meets expense budget goals

Governance and Compliance – (10%)

• Monitor compliance with relevant regulations, statutes, board directives, work instructions and process standards (including Golden Rules and Product Compliance), procedural/operating instructions, environmental and occupational safety regulations using appropriate management controls (multi-eye principle)
• Supports, maintains, and ensures methods and systems are implemented to identify, prevent, detect non-compliance with internal policies, applicable laws and regulations and that systems are monitored, effectively implemented, regularly tested and improved
• Responsible for station visitors in regards to technical assistance, equipment rental, test route definition, vehicle/part shipments, special fuels, etc
• Maintains in-depth knowledge of company policies and awareness of developments within Audi NAR Test Fleet on an ongoing basis
• Maintain and acquire general tools and supplies for Allendale, NJ and Duette, FL
• Interacts with VWGoA Legal Counsel and Human Resources to enact enforcement of company standards and policies as needed
• Supports implementations and maintenance of ERM standards and processes for Allendale, NJ and Duette, FL
• Supports risk mitigation efforts through diligent documentation and tactile application of VWGoA ERM tools, practices and policies
• Collaborates with leadership to evaluate effectiveness of risk measures and controls and             makes suggestions aimed at continuous improvements

Qualifications

Education – Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or equivalent technical experience

Skills:

• 10+ years in supervisory role of direct reports along with Staff Management skills
• 5+ years of experience in managing remote teams across the U.S.
• Strong station / building knowledge from construction phase to building maintenance and safety
• Ability to plan and coordinate learning objectives and strategies: Includes defining development plans to suit the various personnel at the remote locations
• Personnel and Human Resources: Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits
• Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership technique, and coordination of people and resources
• Analytical and conceptual thinking – using logic and reason, creative and strategic thinking
• Communication Skills: interpersonal, presentation, negotiation and facilitation
• Leadership and Influencing skills
• Advanced computer skills including MS Office Applications
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to relate to staff at all levels and collaborate with all levels of management and with different cultures
• Motivating, developing, and directing employees development or related field and contractors as they work, identifying the best people for the job, including setting performance standards, and monitoring performance
• Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
• Self-directed and strong ability to prioritize effectively
• Highly disciplined and organized with a strong attention to details
• Detailed VW/Audi Group vehicle knowledge

Specialized Skills – Required: 

• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership technique, and people and resource coordination
• Legal knowledge in vehicle operation and test requirements as well as environmental laws
• Basic knowledge of building operations including design phase, construction and buildout
• Ability to politically navigate across various cultures” to effectively support diverse customer base from VW Group companies worldwide

Work Flexibility:

• Flexible work schedule (including weekends) in order to accommodate the needs of all customers
• 24/7 availability (facility emergency contact), minimum 40 hours per week, maximum as needed to fulfill business requirements
• Travel up to 40%, work schedule dependent on job requirements and actual tasks
• Infrequent travel to international locations (1-2 times per year)