Plant Manager (Vehicle Assembly)

THE OPPORTUNITY

Our client, America’s Vehicle Brand, has requested us to search for a seasoned Plant Manager for their iconic Louisville, KY Truck Plant. The Plant Managers is critical to the success of the Company and their ability to deliver innovative, high-quality products that their customers want and need. The plant leader is a highly visible member of the local community and responsible for leading a team of area managers within one of our client’s 40 manufacturing plants in vehicle operations, powertrain, or stamping operations.

The Team

The Plant Manager will report to a regional Director of Manufacturing and lead the Plants’ Executive Leadership Teams. The Plant Manager will lead a team of functional manufacturing leaders (operating committee members) and have oversight for approximately 8000 team members.

What you’ll be able to do

The Plant Manager is the “CEO” of the plant, has holistic understanding of manufacturing and business operations. These leaders take full accountability of plant operations delivering on cost and quality. In addition to the domain expertise required (business, data, and technical acumen along with manufacturing proficiency).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Will include demonstrating the following Company Operating System Behaviors (Excellence, Focus, and Collaboration) and Servant Leadership qualities:

Excellence

• Creates a culture of proactive safety ensuring our most valuable asset, our team members, get home safely every day.
• Leverages data and insights to drive lean improvements that deliver on quality and cost targets.
• Continually seeks opportunities and inspire others to improve processes and outcomes, leveraging KPIs and the PDCA model.
• Holds self and others accountable for excellence and adherence to operational and behavioral expectations.
• Effectively collaborates with Area Managers, Process Coaches and Hourly Employees to set standards and lead by example at all levels of the organization.
• Develops “leaders as teachers” and prioritizes ongoing development and evaluation of employee performance to continually create high performing teams that deliver results for the Company.
• Leads implementation of the Company Production System aligned with lean principles and behaviors to drive structured problem solving at all levels of the organization.
• Leads transformation and change management efforts to advance the company’s competitiveness.
• Addresses risk, concerns, and recognizes achievements of their team.

Focus

• Serves as a positive change agent driving results and leveraging relationships to get things done.
• Establishes and operationalizes a local vision and mission through clear goal setting and communication through structured operational cadences.
• Ensures operational stability by implementing disciplined processes and standards, meeting jobs per hour, rolled -throughput-yield, quality, and other key metrics.
• Strong problem solver who can lead effectively under pressure and crisis manage when necessary.
• Leads costs reductions and manages plant resources responsibly and for the betterment of the plant operations and profitability.

Collaboration

• Creates a servant leadership culture by demonstrating self-awareness and a deep understanding of employee's aspirations, strengths, and well-being, evidenced by employee engagement scores, regular impactful check-ins, and effective time spent on the plant floor.
• Leverages staffs to build an inclusive culture allowing for diverse viewpoints and mutual respect.
• Fosters collaboration on best practices, standardized work, and building networks across functional areas.
• Builds strong relationships with employees, Employee Resource Groups, the union, suppliers, and cross- functional teams in order to bring the full force of Company’s capability to create value.
• Consistently demonstrates empathy by going to Gemba, engaging regularly with employees on the plant floor to listen and problem solve.
• Role models authenticity and inspires through charismatic communication and leading by example.
• Brings a high level of energy and effort to all tasks.

FUNCTIONAL & TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE, MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS WE SEEK:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or technical field.
• 15 years of progressive responsibilities and experience in operations leadership in a high-volume, high-precision, complex manufacturing environment and experience overseeing an operation of 800 employees.
• Lean / Six Sigma certification or demonstrated equivalent experience applying lean manufacturing principles and standardized work.
• Extensive experience in high-volume, complex, manufacturing environments ideally with machining and assembly in a tight tolerance environment.
• Hands on leader who has strong relationship buildings skills and experience interfacing in an environment with hourly and salaried employees. Ability to drive cultural transformation.
• Deep understanding of managing a Profit and Loss statement, demonstrating strong financial acumen.
• Aspiration for continued career growth and new challenges.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS

• A master’s degree or equivalent experience in an engineering or a technical field.
• Experience partnering with the union during a negotiation / contract renewal.
• Experience in engine or powertrain manufacturing.
• Deep manufacturing engineering technical capabilities