Manager, Configuration Management (Onsite)

As the Manager, Configuration Management at Axon, your main responsibilities include overseeing the change process development, managing the Bill of Materials (BOM) during new product introductions, and ensuring cross-functional collaboration among engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams. You'll also be responsible for providing training, guiding your team in executing various change types, and continuously improving configuration management processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

To qualify for the Manager, Configuration Management role at Axon, you should have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related discipline and a minimum of 3 years of leadership experience in configuration management or a related field. Additionally, experience in a fast-paced hardware manufacturing environment and strong communication skills are essential. Familiarity with tools like Arena PLM and SolidWorks is preferred but not mandatory.

At Axon, teamwork is a core value. As a Manager, Configuration Management, you will lead by example, fostering effective communication and collaboration across various departments including R&D, Product Management, and Quality. You will coordinate with these teams to ensure seamless execution of change management processes, driving stakeholder alignment, and promoting a culture of shared responsibility and continuous improvement.

Axon offers a variety of benefits to support its employees, including competitive salaries, a 401k with employer match, paid time off, parental leave, and comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans. Additional offerings include fitness programs, emotional and mental wellness support, and ongoing learning and development opportunities, ensuring that employees have the resources they need to thrive both professionally and personally.

A typical day for a Manager, Configuration Management at Axon involves reviewing submitted change orders, collaborating with various departments to implement changes, conducting team meetings to provide feedback and coaching, and analyzing the performance of configuration management processes. You will also work on process improvement initiatives and engage with cross-functional teams to ensure all changes are efficiently managed, leading to the timely launch of life-saving technologies.

In your response, focus on specific configuration management processes you've worked with, such as change orders or BOM management. Highlight your role in process development, efficiency improvements, and any challenges you faced. It's essential to demonstrate your understanding and how your experience aligns with Axon's standards.

Speak to your experience in working with engineering, quality, and supply chain teams. Share examples where you facilitated discussions, gathered input from different stakeholders, and synthesized that input to drive decisions. Emphasize your communication skills and your commitment to ensuring all relevant parties are aligned and informed throughout the process.

Mention specific tools such as Arena PLM, JIRA, or any similar software. Discuss how you've utilized these tools to manage change orders or track BOMs, emphasizing your comfort with technology and any specific achievements that illustrate your proficiency.

Illustrate a specific challenge involving a significant change or a discrepancy in documentation. Explain how you approached the problem, collaborated with others to find a solution, and what the outcome was. Show how you learned from the experience and improved your processes moving forward.

Discuss your approach to prioritization, such as using project management tools or methods to assess urgency and importance. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed competing deadlines and ensured all changes were implemented systematically without compromising quality.

Explain how you monitor team performance through regular feedback, setting clear objectives, and utilizing performance metrics. Discuss how you foster a culture of continuous improvement within your team, encouraging open dialogue about challenges and successes.

Emphasize the importance of thoroughness and attention to detail in your work. Describe any checklists, reviews, or audits you perform to ensure documentation is accurate and up-to-date, and mention how you handle any discrepancies that may arise.

Highlight a specific instance where you identified an inefficiency within a process and took action to enhance it. Explain the steps you took, how you engaged team members, and what the impact of your changes was on overall efficiency and team dynamics.

Explain that effective communication is critical in configuration management as it ensures clarity around changes, expectations, and responsibilities. Provide examples of how you've facilitated communication among teams to ensure everyone is on the same page, ultimately leading to smoother implementation processes.

Share your passion for seeing the direct impact of your work on the successful launch of products and the safety of communities. Discuss how being part of a mission-driven company like Axon aligns with your personal values and fuels your motivation to excel in configuration management.