CEO North America

IKIGAI Talent Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

IKIGAI Talent Group is partnering with an international industrial group to appoint a General Manager – North America. The role oversees an established organization and drives industrial and commercial development across the region.

You will lead Operations, Sales, people management and full P&L responsibility in a highly international environment. The successful candidate will work closely with European headquarters, coordinate with regional operations, and travel regularly across North

Qualifications

• Significant professional experience within the automotive industry.
• Strong background in operations, manufacturing and industrial management.
• Experience in sales, business development or key account management.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for North American performance, profitability and development.
• Own P&L, budget, business plan and KPIs for the region.
• Translate Group strategy into regional priorities and execution plans.
• Lead cross-functional teams across Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Engineering.
• Develop manufacturing capabilities and ensure alignment with European HQ.

Job description

Scope: United States & Mexico

The Opportunity

We are partnering with an established international industrial group with European headquarters and a strong presence in the automotive sector to appoint a General Manager – North America.

This executive will take overall responsibility for the company's North American business, leading an established multidisciplinary organization and overseeing its continued industrial and commercial development across the region.

This is a broad business leadership position combining Operations, Sales, People Management and full P&L responsibility.

We are looking for someone who understands industrial and manufacturing operations in depth but is equally comfortable being in front of customers, developing business and representing the company in the North American market.

The successful candidate will operate in a highly international environment, working closely with the Group's European headquarters and coordinating with different operations across the region.

Just as importantly, this person will be expected to remain close to the organization and its people. Leadership in this environment means being visible, accessible and involved — understanding what is happening in the business, maintaining open communication with employees and building relationships based on trust.

Key Responsibilities

Business & P&L Leadership

• Take overall responsibility for the performance, profitability and development of the North American business.
• Own the P&L, budget, business plan and key performance indicators for the region.
• Translate the Group's strategy into clear priorities and execution plans for the North American organization.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability, efficiency and sustainable business growth.
• Provide European headquarters with clear, transparent and reliable visibility of business performance, challenges and opportunities.
• Ensure strong alignment between regional priorities and the Group's overall strategy.

Operations & Manufacturing

• Lead the operational performance of the North American organization across relevant functions, including Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering and related areas.
• Oversee and support the development of the Group's manufacturing capabilities and operations across the region.
• Ensure strong coordination between the different North American operations and European headquarters.
• Drive continuous improvement across quality, delivery, cost, productivity and operational efficiency.
• Maintain a hands‑on understanding of day‑to‑day operations and proactively address operational challenges.
• Establish the appropriate structures, processes and KPIs to support the continued development of the business.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, quality, legal and Group standards.
• Take an active role in the commercial development of the North American business.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with key customers within the automotive industry.
• Identify new business opportunities and contribute directly to the growth of strategic accounts.
• Participate personally in relevant customer meetings, negotiations and commercial discussions.
• Work closely with Sales and Operations to ensure that commercial commitments are operationally sustainable and profitable.
• Develop a strong understanding of the market, customers and competitive environment.
• Represent the company externally with customers, partners and other relevant stakeholders.

People & Organization

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary organization across North America.
• Build a culture based on trust, accountability, transparency and collaboration.
• Maintain close contact with employees across different functions and levels of the organization.
• Develop the management team and create clear ownership and accountability throughout the business.
• Ensure employees understand the company's priorities, performance and direction.
• Support the organization through its next stage of development and growth.
• Act as a visible and accessible leader, rather than managing the organization exclusively from a corporate level.

Candidate Profile

We are looking for an experienced business leader with a strong combination of industrial operations and commercial experience.

The successful candidate will ideally bring:

• Significant professional experience within the automotive industry, preferably within an OEM, Tier 1, Tier 2 or automotive industrial supplier environment.
• Strong background in Operations, Manufacturing and/or Industrial Management.
• Meaningful experience in Sales, Business Development, Key Account Management or direct customer management.
• Previous leadership experience as a General Manager, Managing Director, Business Unit Director, VP/Director of Operations or similar senior leadership position.
• Experience managing a complete business unit or operation with full P&L responsibility.
• Strong understanding of automotive manufacturing environments, including quality, supply chain, production, customer requirements and operational performance.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams and developing managers.
• Ability to combine strategic thinking with hands‑on execution.
• Experience working within an international organization and collaborating effectively with an overseas headquarters.
• Exposure to multi‑site or international industrial operations would be highly valuable.
• Experience operating across different markets and cultures would be considered an advantage.
• Availability to travel regularly across North America and internationally when required.
• Fluent English and Spanish are essential.

Leadership Style

Experience alone will not define the right candidate.

We are particularly interested in leaders who are close to their people, humble, transparent and highly accountable.

The successful General Manager should be someone who:

• Is visible and approachable across the organization.
• Enjoys being close to employees and understands the reality of the operation firsthand.
• Leads with humility and credibility rather than hierarchy.
• Communicates openly and transparently, including when performance or circumstances are challenging.
• Creates trust while maintaining clear expectations and accountability.
• Has a strong business and customer mindset.
• Is equally comfortable discussing operational performance, meeting a strategic customer or working with Group leadership.
• Can move naturally between strategy and execution.
• Makes decisions and takes ownership.
• Develops people and empowers managers while remaining connected to the business.
• Can successfully navigate different cultures, markets and ways of working within an international organization.

The Challenge

The General Manager will play a key role in the next stage of the company's development in North America.

The position combines the leadership of an established business with the opportunity to support the continued development of the Group's industrial footprint, organization and commercial position across the region.

The successful candidate will have significant autonomy and visibility within the Group and will be expected to make a tangible impact on the performance and future development of the North American business.

It is therefore an opportunity for someone who wants to have real ownership of a business — its people, its customers, its growth and its operational performance.