Assistant Plant Manager - Metals Industry - Automotive

Our client is a leading supplier of quality aluminum extrusions (from casting billet through customized extrusion to fabricating finished components) to a variety of markets – Including Automotive, Transportation, Building & Construction, Electrical & Machinery, Consumer Durables & Distribution.  

Our client is seeking an experienced & dynamic Senior Operations Mfg. Manager to join the Ohio-based team, with a demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced & dynamic work environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• The Asstistant Plant Manager/ Sr Manufacturing Operations Manager will play a critical role managing/ coordinating work w/ Operations, Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS), and Quality teams, Engineering, Reliability & Maintenance teams, reporting directly to the GM/ Plant Manager. 

• The Asstistant Plant Manager is responsible for formulating & administering operational plans that drive growth, ensure business objectives are met, and ultimately contribute to achieving operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

• Will oversee team of 30 direct/ indirect (Quality Supervisors, Quality Technicians, CMM Technicians); Quality team is responsible for Tensile Testing, AQPQ.

• Support plant leadership team (Fabrication Manager, Extrusion Manager & GM/ Plant Manager) whenever the need arises during vacations.

• Implement and manage quality systems – Need to have IATF Certification from a Tier 1 or Tier 2 supplier or come directly from Automotive

• This is a non-union site. The new hire must be comfortable working in a matrixed environment that requires a different leadership style and not as top down.

• Team Leadership: Directly manage and lead the Operations, Safety, and Quality teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Operational Planning: Collaborate with the General Manager to develop and implement operational plans that align with the company's growth opportunities and business objectives.

• Performance Monitoring: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the progress of operational activities, regularly assessing performance and identifying areas for improvement.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with the Engineering and Reliability and Maintenance teams to ensure seamless coordination between operational and maintenance activities, enhancing overall efficiency.

• Quality Assurance: Oversee the Quality team's efforts to maintain high standards of product/service quality, ensuring compliance with relevant industry regulations and guidelines.

• Safety Compliance: Lead the Safety team in developing and implementing safety protocols and procedures, ensuring a safe working environment for all employees and visitors.

• Risk Management: Identify potential operational risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, enhancing the organization's resilience and adaptability.
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• Process Optimization: Continuously evaluate operational processes, identifying opportunities to streamline workflows, reduce inefficiencies, and enhance productivity.
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• Customer Satisfaction: Collaborate w/ teams to ensure that operational activities align w/ customer expectations, to consistently delight customers & exceed their needs.

• Budget Oversight: Work within allocated budgets, monitoring expenditures, and optimizing resource allocation to maximize operational efficiency.

• Reporting: Provide regular reports and updates to the General Manager and senior leadership on operational performance, challenges, and opportunities.

Qualifications/ Requirements:

• Minimum 8 years progressive leadership track record w/ metals-based manufacturing operations (Automotive/ Aerospace preferred), leading minimum 150 ppl (capital project management, P&L & budgetary responsibilities preferred).

• Extrusion and/or aluminum rolling; 6000 series alloys is a major plus

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Operations Mgmt., Engineering, or related field; master’s preferred.

• Lean Six Sigma (Green belt, black belt); Nice to have - IATF Auditor, Toyota Production Systems; Alcoa Business Systems; etc.

• Excellent Organizational/ Analytical Skills & Data-driven Problem Solving - A3, 8D, DMAIC, SPC; proficiency using relevant software tools (e.g. - MS Office, Pivot tables, SPC interpretation, graphical analysis) for data analysis, reporting, and project management.

• Inspiring/ motivating team management leadership skills, w/ ability to influence & guide teams toward achieving operational excellence; strategically leading teams w/ long-range view while maintaining tactical oversight of current operations.

• Outstanding communication & interpersonal skills, w/ ability to effectively collaborate cross-functionally at all levels, formulating and executing operational plans that align w/ business objectives.

• Knowledge of safety regulations, quality management practices, and risk assessment methodologies.

• Must have Master Production Planning and S&OP planning experience; focused on scheduling shared loaded resources and inventory control (minimization).

• Should Have ability to be able to see the performance gaps and pivot; flex hiring or move people based on volumes and cost.

• Collaborative leadership leading tiered operations teams (10+) across shifts (24/7)

• Time management/ prioritization skills: Direct/ prioritize teams w/ clear & concise decision-making capability