Area Manager General Assembly - Artisan Innovation Center (PPO)

General Motors; Warren (MI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors Company is seeking a GA Area Manager for the Warren, MI plant. You will lead the General Assembly organization, driving safety, quality and performance while coordinating with ME, Maintenance, and program teams across multiple functions.

The role requires extensive manufacturing leadership experience, a strong technical background, and proven ability to navigate a unionized environment. Onsite work five days a week is expected to support GM Engineering and Manufacturing goals.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in manufacturing operations is required.
• 3+ years leading salaried organizations.
• Launch experience in manufacturing engineering (ME) or manufacturing operations (MO).
• Excellent organization, communication, problem-solving and decision-making.
• Solid GA manufacturing process knowledge (Torque, Assembly, Quality, Repair, etc.).
• Experience leading in a unionized environment with negotiation skills.
• Onsite work 5+ days per week and ability to respond to urgent needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the General Assembly organization at the Warren site, driving performance and shaping culture.
• Oversee safety, quality, schedule attainment, cost and people priorities across GA operations.
• Drive strategic operational planning and day-to-day Warren site operations.
• Own budgets, efficiency initiatives, and cost-optimization efforts.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Program management, ME, Maintenance, and other teams.

Skills

Manufacturing ops experience

People leadership

Launch experience in ME/MO

Organizational/communication/decision

GA manufacturing process knowledge

Union environment negotiation

Onsite availability 5+ days

Job description

Job Description

The Global Artisan Innovation Center (GAIC) unites the former Pre-Production Operations (PPO) for Vehicles in Warren, the Pre-Production Operations for Global Propulsion Systems (GPS) in Pontiac, their counterpart facilities in China, Brazil and South Korea as well as the Cadillac Artisan Center - Home of the Cadillac Celestiq - and Tooling Equipment International (TEI) in Livonia.

In this center of excellence, GM's Global Manufacturing Engineering (ME) Team is challenging the limits of what is possible and embracing agility to reimagine how to build next generations of Vehicles and Propulsion Systems. Working cross-functionally, we bring together our most talented Skilled Trades alongside ME Engineers, Product Engineering, Manufacturing Operations, Program Management and many other areas of expertise.

In this highly technical organization, we embrace new technologies like AI and Virtual Reality, build all GM Prototype Engines, Transmissions, Electric Drive Units, Pre-Production Cars and Trucks as well as hand build GM's most luxurious production vehicles like the highly bespoke Cadillac Celestiq and other GM curated Limited Edition vehicles.

Our diverse team combined with our flexible Machining, Tooling and Stamping (MTS) shop enables the Global Artisan Innovation Center to successfully compete with outside suppliers to support GM Engineering and GM Manufacturing with tasks, projects or builds that are not well-suited for high volume plants.

What You will Do

As GA Area Manager in the GAIC Vehicle plant in Warren, MI, you will lead our General Assembly organization located in Warren, MI - driving performance, expanding capability and shaping the culture of a highly skilled, highly technical organization that supports GM Engineering and GM Manufacturing.

Operational Excellence & Business Performance

• Develop and drive a safety-first culture throughout GA through SOT, SOP, Employee concern response, WPO compliance, Safety policy compliance, etc.
• Lead strategic operational planning and day-to-day operations across all of the General Assembly related operations at the Warren site.
• Delivery on all key performance metrics while ensuring safety, quality, schedule attainment, cost and people priorities are achieved consistently.
• Shape and execute business strategies that strengthen traditional workstreams and accelerate growth in new, non-traditional capabilities.
• Own financial performance including budgets, efficiency initiatives, contracts and cost-optimization efforts.
• Own and manage the GA L3/4/5 BPD, GMS and BIQ standards across GA operations.

Strategic Leadership & Capability Growth

• Support long-term capital planning, future work capacity analysis, estimate manpower and future facility needs backed by business-case development.
• Ensure all GA systems, processes, teams and equipment meet GAIC's high standards of operational readiness.
• Drive enterprise alignment by partnering cross-functionally with Program management, ME, Maintenance, GAIC Body, Electrical, PE teams, etc.
• Provide operational and technical leadership across the GA disciplines of pre-trim, trim, chassis, final, repair, sub-systems, fluids, quality and electrical.

People Leadership & Culture

• Lead a diverse, talented team of salaried employees and UAW Local 160 skilled trades with a focus on engagement, development and inclusion.
• Build a "Workplace of Choice" environment rooted in safety, trust, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Support career growth through coaching, development planning and capability-building initiatives.
• Set clear expectations and priorities while providing regular feedback, recognition and performance evaluation.
• Exhibit and champion GM's Winning Behaviors and drive change management for new methods, technologies and future-focused initiatives.
• Host and support outside and internal GM tours throughout GA .

Skills & Qualifications

Required

• 5 years or more of experience in manufacturing operations
• 3 years or more of experience leading salaried organizations.
• Launch experience in ME and/or MO.
• Exceptional organization, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Solid technical background across GA manufacturing processes (i.e. Torque, Assembly, Quality, Repair, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience leading in a unionized environment with strong skills in negotiation and relationship building.
• Ability to work onsite 5+ days per week and respond to urgent operational needs whenever they may occur.

Preferred

• 7 years or more of technical/manufacturing experience in different plants.
• 3 years of focused General Assembly experience
• Demonstrated experience driving cultural transformation and business expansion.
• Strong background in operational management.
• Experience partnering closely with UAW leadership and skilled trades.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in high-pressure, fast-changing environment.
• Proven success developing high