What are the responsibilities and job description for the Plant Manager (Automotive - JIT) position at OPTIMA ORGANIZATIONAL SOLUTIONS?
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead operations at our client's unionized, JIT automotive plant, specializing in metal stamping (door panels, pillars, structural components) and assembly processes. The Plant Manager will provide strategic leadership, ensure operational excellence, and drive a strong culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
This role demands a proven leader who can effectively manage a complex, fast-paced production environment and maintain positive, constructive labor relations while meeting demanding OEM delivery requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Organizational Management
Qualifications & Skills
Education
We are seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead operations at our client's unionized, JIT automotive plant, specializing in metal stamping (door panels, pillars, structural components) and assembly processes. The Plant Manager will provide strategic leadership, ensure operational excellence, and drive a strong culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
This role demands a proven leader who can effectively manage a complex, fast-paced production environment and maintain positive, constructive labor relations while meeting demanding OEM delivery requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Organizational Management
- Lead, coach, and develop production, maintenance, quality, and support teams to achieve plant goals and drive a high-performance culture.
- Foster transparent communication and a culture built on respect, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Provide leadership presence on the plant floor, engaging employees at all levels.
- Maintain a collaborative working relationship with union leadership and hourly workforce.
- Ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements and support fair and consistent application of policies.
- Lead resolution of labor issues, administer grievance procedures, and participate in contract negotiations as needed.
- Promote a productive, safe, and inclusive workplace environment.
- Oversee daily plant operations for metal stamping, welding, forming, and assembly lines.
- Ensure JIT delivery performance and customer satisfaction metrics are consistently achieved.
- Direct production scheduling, capacity planning, and workflow optimization to meet volume, cost, and quality targets.
- Ensure proper functioning of stamping presses, tooling, dies, and assembly equipment to maintain uptime and efficiency.
- Champion a safety-first culture and ensure adherence to OSHA, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee safety programs, training, audits, incident investigations, and corrective actions.
- Ensure proper handling of scrap, lubricants, metal coils, and other materials specific to stamping operations.
- Ensure all stamped and assembled products meet customer dimensional and cosmetic specifications.
- Oversee root cause analysis and corrective actions for quality issues (including die issues, weld integrity, or assembly defects).
- Maintain compliance with TS/IATF 16949 and customer-specific quality requirements.
- Drive operational excellence through lean tools such as 5S, Kaizen, SMED (Single-Minute Exchange of Die), and Value Stream Mapping.
- Lead initiatives to reduce scrap, improve changeover times, and increase equipment reliability.
- Implement automation or process improvements to enhance throughput and cost efficiency.
- Oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs for stamping presses, dies, welding cells, robotics, and assembly tools.
- Support die-maintenance strategies to extend tool life and maintain part quality.
- Ensure quick response and resolution to equipment downtime issues.
- Develop and manage the plant budget, including labor, materials, maintenance, and capital expenditures.
- Monitor performance metrics (OEE, scrap, labor utilization, downtime, inventory turns).
- Create action plans to improve cost performance, productivity, and overall profitability.
- Maintain strong relationships with OEM customers, ensuring timely communication and high service levels.
- Collaborate with supply chain teams to ensure steady, JIT material flow of coil steel, components, and packaging.
- Support supplier development and performance improvement when quality or delivery issues arise.
Qualifications & Skills
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related discipline required.
- Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
- Lean Six Sigma certification desirable.
- 7 years of progressive leadership experience in automotive or metal-stamping manufacturing.
- Demonstrated success managing a unionized production environment.
- Experience with metal stamping operations (presses, dies, tooling, weld cells) strongly preferred.
- Prior exposure to JIT/JIS delivery systems and high-volume automotive production.
- Strong leadership and team-building abilities.
- Deep understanding of stamping, forming, welding, and assembly processes.
- Excellent communication skills, including conflict resolution and negotiation with union partners.
- Data-driven decision-making and strong analysis skills.
- Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment and meet strict customer deadlines.
- Solid understanding of safety, quality, and regulatory standards.