Plant and Production Manager

Req  | Kreuztal, Germany, ZF Friedrichshafen AG

Your tasks and responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee all plant operations, including EHS, Production, Quality, Logistics, Technical Management, and Lean Manufacturing, ensuring compliance, operational excellence, and sustainable business results.
• Ensure the effective deployment of people, equipment, infrastructure, and materials to achieve customer requirements, operational targets, and successful product launches.
• Develop, coach, and inspire the plant leadership team, fostering a high-performance culture focused on accountability, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
• Drive the achievement of key safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, and financial targets, ensuring alignment with operational and strategic objectives.
• Lead the implementation of the ZF Production System and continuous improvement initiatives, creating a culture of operational excellence and long-term competitiveness.
• Develop and execute the plant's operational and strategic plans, including resource and capacity planning.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, employee representatives, and key stakeholders.
• Ensure operational stability through effective performance management, daily reviews, and continuous support of plant operations.

Your Profile:

• Successfully completed university degree in engineering, economics, manufacturing or comparable area
• Multiple years solid working experience in Operations and relevant Functions
• Multiple years leadership experience incl. coaching/mentoring skills
• Experience in Project Management
• Lean Management, Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement
• Transformation competence and organizational development skills
• Coaching and Mentoring Skills as well as Business / Finance Management Acumen
• Results/Process/Problem Solving - Oriented as well as in Depth knowledge in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Production and Launch Readiness
• Fluent in English and German language

Your Mindset:

You are a strong and inspiring leader with a passion for operational excellence and continuous improvement. Combining strategic thinking with a hands‑on approach, you develop high-performing teams, drive sustainable business results and create a culture of accountability, collaboration and customer focus.