Plant Manager; Automotive - JIT

Position: Plant Manager (Automotive - JIT)
Location: Elkton

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

• 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.

Union & Labor Relations

• 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.

Production & Operations Management

• 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.

Safety & Environmental Compliance

• 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.

Quality Assurance

• 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.

Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing

• 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.

Maintenance & Equipment Management

• 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.

Financial & Business Management

• 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.

Customer & Supplier Relations

• 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.

Experience

• 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.

Skills & Competencies

• 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.

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