Final answer:
The role responsible for planning and coordinating staff activities in new product development and facility location is generally held by an engineering professional who blends technical knowledge with project management skills.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individual who plans and coordinates staff activities such as new product development and new facility location typically holds a position that requires a blend of technical knowledge and project management skills. This role is frequently associated with engineering staff, often requiring a Bachelor of Science in Engineering or a related field, in addition to experience in manufacturing techniques and process control. The responsibilities include working closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, sales, manufacturing, and development teams to ensure that products are designed efficiently and align with company and customer needs. A person in this role must be adept at coordinating the release of new products, estimating manufacturing costs, determining time standards, and recommending tooling and process requirements. They must maintain flexible scheduling, exhibit strong communication skills, solve problems systematically, and be capable of adapting to changing priorities.
For this multifaceted role, qualifications often include a solid understanding of engineering principles, familiarity with integrating designs into a production environment, and experience with LEAN Six Sigma implementation. This role may also involve travel to coordinate activities with different stakeholders and suppliers to achieve successful product launches and factory operations.