Automotive Plant General Manager: Lean & Performance Leader

Aspire Talent Solutions; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Aspire Talent Solutions seeks a hands‑on Plant General Manager in Lexington, KY to lead a complex automotive manufacturing operation. You will direct production, quality, safety, delivery, cost, engineering, and continuous improvement to meet customer and company expectations.

The ideal candidate has proven plant leadership with P&L ownership, Lean/Six Sigma expertise, and the ability to build high-performing teams, drive root-cause problem solving, and deliver sustainable improvements in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a relevant field.
• Proven experience leading a complex manufacturing plant or major operation.
• Demonstrated track record of delivering improvements in quality, cost, delivery, safety, productivity, and profitability.
• Working knowledge of automotive quality and launch methodologies (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans).
• Strong Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement capabilities.
• Proven experience leading new product launches within an automotive environment.
• Strong plant-level financial management, budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and P&L responsibility.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, motivate, and retain high-performing teams.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced automotive environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for plant operations including production, quality, engineering, maintenance, safety, delivery, and cost performance.
• Develop and execute operational strategies that support objectives, customer requirements, and growth.
• Ensure the plant meets quality, delivery, productivity, cost, and customer satisfaction targets.
• Maintain accountability for ISO standards and customer-specific quality systems.
• Drive a culture of quality, customer focus, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, problem‑solving, and standard work.
• Analyze processes and metrics to improve efficiency, productivity, quality, throughput, cost, and profitability.
• Establish and monitor KPIs and management systems to drive accountability.
• Develop, monitor, and manage the plant's annual operating plan, budget, forecasts, and financial performance.
• Maintain accountability for monthly and annual plant P&L results.
• Ensure effective response to customer quality issues, warranty concerns, and delivery issues.
• Provide leadership for new product and program launches from launch through production.
• Ensure execution of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, control plans, and related customer requirements.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, sales, materials, and operations to ensure successful programs.
• Maintain a safe work environment and compliance with safety policies and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare for emergencies, supply disruptions, and other operational challenges.
• Lead, develop, and retain employees with a culture of trust and accountability.

Skills

Automotive manufacturing

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous improvement

P&L ownership

Quality systems

Problem solving

Team leadership

Budgeting/Forecasting

Strategic planning

ISO standards

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Aspire Talent Solutions seeks a hands‑on Plant General Manager in Lexington, KY to lead a complex automotive manufacturing operation. You will direct production, quality, safety, delivery, cost, engineering, and continuous improvement to meet customer and company expectations.

The ideal candidate has proven plant leadership with P&L ownership, Lean/Six Sigma expertise, and the ability to build high-performing teams, drive root-cause problem solving, and deliver sustainable improvements in