Automotive Plant Leader: Lean, Quality & Profit

Zaddy Solutions; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Zaddy Solutions is seeking a Plant General Manager to lead a complex automotive manufacturing operation. You will oversee production, quality, safety, and continuous improvement while delivering strong financial results and customer satisfaction.

The role requires hands-on leadership, a proven track record in automotive plants, and expertise in Lean, APQP/PPAP, and cost control. You will build high-performing teams and drive strategic initiatives across the plant.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 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, including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, and structured problem-solving.
• Strong background in Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence methodologies.
• Proven experience leading new product and new program launches within an automotive environment.
• Strong understanding of plant-level financial management, budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and P&L responsibility.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, motivate, and retain high-performing teams.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-accountability automotive environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing quality, safety, delivery, productivity, and cost systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for plant operations, including production, quality, engineering, maintenance, materials, safety, delivery, and cost performance.
• Develop and execute operational strategies that support company objectives, customer requirements, and long-term business growth.
• Ensure the plant consistently meets or exceeds quality, delivery, productivity, cost, and customer satisfaction objectives.
• Maintain accountability for compliance with ISO standards, customer-specific requirements, and applicable quality systems.
• Drive a culture of quality, customer focus, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Lead and implement continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, problem-solving, standard work, waste reduction, and other operational excellence methodologies.
• Analyze manufacturing processes and plant performance metrics to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity, quality, throughput, cost, and profitability.
• Establish and maintain KPIs and management systems to monitor plant performance and 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, including cost control, labor efficiency, scrap, overtime, inventory, and productivity.

Skills

Plant leadership

P&L ownership

Lean Manufacturing

Quality systems

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

APQP/PPAP

Job description

Zaddy Solutions is seeking a Plant General Manager to lead a complex automotive manufacturing operation. You will oversee production, quality, safety, and continuous improvement while delivering strong financial results and customer satisfaction.

The role requires hands-on leadership, a proven track record in automotive plants, and expertise in Lean, APQP/PPAP, and cost control. You will build high-performing teams and drive strategic initiatives across the plant.