General Manager

Ellos HR Solutions; Kansas; On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Ellos HR Solutions is assisting a Tier 1 automotive supplier in Kansas City to fill a General Manager role. The GM will lead all plant operations, drive profitability, and set the strategic direction for the facility, while building a capable leadership team.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in senior manufacturing leadership, with Tier 1 automotive experience and a strong track record of Lean and continuous improvement across functions.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in a senior manufacturing leadership role.
• Tier 1 automotive manufacturing experience is REQUIRED.
• Proven P&L and financial leadership with budgeting/forecasting responsibility.
• Strong Lean Manufacturing, operational excellence, and continuous improvement focus.
• Proven ability to build and mentor a high-performance leadership team.

Responsibilities

• Lead all plant operations, profitability, and strategic growth.
• Develop and execute the long-term vision for the facility.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and develop the leadership team into a world-class organization.
• Partner with Human Resources to strengthen leadership and succession planning.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and capital planning; manage costs and margins.
• Drive customer relationships and executive-level communications with key clients.

Skills

P&L management

Budgeting

Profitability improvement

Strategic planning

Operational Excellence

Continuous Improvement

Customer relationship management

Executive leadership

Team development

Mentoring

Change management

Capital planning

Manufacturing KPI management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Bachelor’s Degree in Operations Management

Bachelor’s Degree in Business

MBA

Job description

Location:

Relocation Assistance: Provided for the right candidate

Employment Type: Full-Time | Executive Leadership

Lead a High-Performing Tier 1 Automotive Manufacturing Operation

Our client, a well-established Tier 1 automotive supplier , is seeking an exceptional General Manager to lead its manufacturing facility located in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

This is a confidential executive search for a dynamic manufacturing leader who combines outstanding operational leadership with exceptional financial acumen. The successful candidate will assume full responsibility for plant performance while leading the next phase of growth for the operation.

The facility manufactures precision metal components through advanced processes including:

• Laser Cutting
• Metal Bending & Forming
• Manual Welding
• Robotic Welding
• Fabrication & Assembly

The plant supplies some of North America’s most recognized manufacturers, including General Motors, John Deere, and Volvo Trucks.

This opportunity is ideal for a proven executive who enjoys building high-performing teams, driving operational excellence, and growing a profitable manufacturing business.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership

• Lead all aspects of plant operations, performance, profitability, and strategic growth.


• Develop and execute the long-term vision for the facility.


• Build a culture of accountability, engagement, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.


• Mentor and develop an emerging leadership team into a world-class manufacturing organization.


• Partner closely with Human Resources to strengthen leadership capabilities, succession planning, technical development, and employee engagement.

Financial Leadership (P&L Ownership)

• Maintain full accountability for the plant’s Profit & Loss.


• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and capital planning.


• Monitor labour, manufacturing costs, inventory, maintenance, scrap, productivity, and operating expenses.


• Drive profitability through continuous improvement initiatives and sound financial decision-making.


• Develop business strategies that improve margins while supporting sustainable growth.


• Evaluate capital investments and ensure maximum return on investment.

Manufacturing Operations

• Oversee all manufacturing functions including Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, Materials, Logistics and Continuous Improvement.


• Improve plant efficiency, productivity, quality, safety and on-time delivery.


• Drive Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence initiatives.


• Ensure effective production planning, preventive maintenance, capacity utilization and customer satisfaction.

Customer & Business Growth

• Build strong executive-level relationships with key automotive customers.


• Support commercial growth and future business opportunities.


• Participate in customer reviews, program launches and strategic planning.


• Ensure world-class performance in quality, delivery and customer service.

Leadership & People Development

One of the most important aspects of this role will be developing people.

The facility has a talented, energetic leadership team looking for a General Manager who enjoys coaching, mentoring and building future leaders.

The ideal candidate believes leadership is about developing people—not simply managing operations.

Qualifications

Required Experience

Minimum 10 years of experience in a senior manufacturing leadership role such as:

• General Manager


• Plant Manager


• Director of Operations


• Vice President of Operations


• Assistant General Manager

Tier 1 Automotive Manufacturing experience is REQUIRED

This requirement is non-negotiable.

Required Skills

• Outstanding P&L management experience


• Strong budgeting and financial planning expertise


• Proven record of improving profitability


• Strategic business planning


• Operational Excellence / Lean Manufacturing


• Continuous Improvement


• Customer relationship management


• Executive leadership


• Team development & mentoring


• Change management


• Capital planning


• Manufacturing KPI management


• Excellent communication and leadership skills

Preferred Background

Candidates with experience in one or more of the following manufacturing environments are highly preferred:

• Automotive Metal Stamping


• Welding Operations


• Laser Processing


• Fabrication


• Structural Components


• Chassis Components


• Heavy Manufacturing


• Metal Forming

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business or a related discipline is preferred.

MBA is considered an asset.

Why This Opportunity?

Executive-level leadership position

Highly visible role with significant influence

Opportunity to grow and transform the operation

Lead a motivated leadership team ready for mentorship

Strong executive support

Long-term career growth

Relocation assistance available