Deputy Plant Manager – Manufacturing Engineering & Operations Head - Automotive

Deputy Plant Manager – Manufacturing Engineering & Operations Head - Automotive

Tier-1 Automotive Supplier | Largest North American Manufacturing Site | Growth & Transformation Environment

This position is based in the Corbin, Kentucky area, within commuting distance of London, Williamsburg, Barbourville, Somerset, Mount Vernon, Berea, Richmond and parts of the Knoxville metropolitan area. The role requires full-time on-site presence.

Our client is a well-established European Tier-1 automotive supplier and a global leader in acoustic and interior solutions for major OEMs. As the organization continues to expand its North American footprint, one of its most strategic manufacturing facilities is entering a new phase of development under the leadership of a recently appointed Plant General Manager.

Employing approximately 350 people, this site represents the group’s largest manufacturing operation across North America and Mexico. Significant investments, growth ambitions and organizational strengthening initiatives are creating an exciting environment for an experienced industrial leader looking to make a tangible impact.

To support this evolution, the company is seeking a Deputy Plant Manager who will become a key member of the plant leadership team and a trusted partner to the Plant General Manager.

This position goes well beyond a traditional operations management role.

While the successful candidate will contribute to the overall performance of the plant across production, supply chain, quality and operational execution, the primary expectation is to bring strong technical and industrial leadership to the organization. The Plant General Manager is specifically looking for a leader capable of combining operational vision with a deep understanding of manufacturing engineering, industrial processes, maintenance excellence, new product launches and continuous improvement.

The individual selected for this role will play an active part in strengthening the site’s industrial foundations, improving process capability, enhancing operational reliability and supporting the successful execution of future growth initiatives.

Acting as the Plant General Manager’s right hand, this person will help coordinate the major operational functions of the site while contributing directly to technical problem solving, industrial performance and long‑term manufacturing competitiveness.

This is a highly visible role requiring both strategic perspective and hands‑on engagement. The successful candidate will be expected to move comfortably between the shop floor, engineering discussions and leadership meetings, helping create alignment across functions and supporting a culture of accountability, technical excellence and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate combines a solid manufacturing engineering background with progressive leadership experience gained in complex industrial environments.

We are particularly interested in professionals who have built their careers around industrialization, manufacturing engineering, maintenance, process improvement, lean manufacturing and launch activities, while gradually expanding their responsibilities into broader plant operations.

Automotive experience is strongly preferred, although candidates coming from comparable high-volume manufacturing environments may also be considered.

Experience with thermoforming, thermocompression, polymer processing, plastics transformation, acoustic products, nonwoven materials, composite technologies or similar industrial processes would be highly relevant in the context of this facility, but not mandatory.

More importantly, we are looking for a leader who understands how to translate technical expertise into operational performance, who enjoys developing teams, and who is capable of supporting a growing organization through its next stage of evolution.

Opportunities to join a plant at this stage of its development are rare. The combination of a newly appointed Plant General Manager, a refreshed leadership structure, ambitious growth plans and the visibility associated with the group’s largest North American operation creates a particularly attractive platform for an experienced manufacturing leader.

For professionals who enjoy solving complex industrial challenges, developing people and contributing to the long‑term success of a manufacturing organization, this role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact while becoming an integral part of the site’s future leadership journey.