Operations (Plant) Director

Horse Powertrain; Southfield (MI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Horse Powertrain Ltd in Detroit is seeking an experienced Operations Leader to build and manage U.S. manufacturing, supply chain and quality across sites.

You will translate global strategy into regional execution, own P&L, and drive cost, margin and productivity improvements in a fast-paced, international environment. The role involves occasional travel to other Horse Powertrain sites as we expand our globally connected operations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive operations leadership experience within automotive OEM/supplier environment.
• Proven ability to lead plant operations with production, quality, and safety responsibility.
• Strong manufacturing systems knowledge and operational excellence.
• Experience launching and ramping up new manufacturing operations.
• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams in fast-paced, matrix organizations.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead U.S. operations across manufacturing, supply chain, and quality; translate global strategy into regional execution.
• Develop a manufacturing site from the ground up and drive performance in productivity, cost, and efficiency. Location of manufacturing site to-be determined.
• Oversee end-to-end supply chain operations, ensuring continuity, supplier performance, and reliable delivery.
• Ensure products and processes meet customer, regulatory, and internal quality standards.
• Support industrialization and successful launch of new products and technologies in the U.S.
• Own P&L, manage budgets and capex, and drive cost, margin, and operational improvements.

Skills

Operations leadership

Plant startup

Supply chain management

Quality & regulatory

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

Horse Powertrain Limited is an independent new powertrain solutions business, with over 125 years of heritage from Renault and Geely. We develop and produce world‑class hybrid and combustion engines and transmissions to move our industry forward, offering many different paths to net zero.

Horse Powertrain has 19,000 dedicated and determined employees, working in 17 manufacturing plants, and 5 R&D centers on three continents. This role is employed by Horse Powertrain Ltd and is based at our office in Detroit, with occasional travel possible to Horse Powertrain’s other sites.

At Horse Powertrain, you’ll have opportunities to grow your career while making a difference. This is a dynamic, international environment, staffed by caring and collaborative people. If you’re ready to create excellence with us, you’ll be appreciated and rewarded.

What you will do...

• Operations Leadership: Build and lead U.S. operations across manufacturing, supply chain, and quality; translate global strategy into regional execution.
• Plant Launch & Management: Develop a manufacturing site from the ground up and drive performance in productivity, cost, and efficiency. Location of manufacturing site to-be determined.
• Supply Chain Execution: Oversee end-to-end supply chain operations, ensuring continuity, supplier performance, and reliable delivery.
• Quality & Compliance: Ensure products and processes meet customer, regulatory, and internal quality standards.
• Program Launch: Support industrialization and successful launch of new products and technologies in the U.S.
• Financial Performance: Own P&L, manage budgets and capex, and drive cost, margin, and operational improvements.

What we’re looking for...

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive operations leadership experience within an automotive OEM and/or supplier manufacturing environment.
• Proven success leading plant operations with responsibility for production, quality, supply chain, safety, and overall site performance.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing systems, operational excellence, and supply chain management.
• Experience launching, scaling, or ramping up new manufacturing operations strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing teams and drive results in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
• Experience working effectively within global and matrixed organizations.
• Strong leadership, communication, analytical, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.

Equal opportunities employer

As a company, we are committed to equal opportunities, and recruit people based on their competencies and qualifications. We encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply for our job vacancies. If you believe you have the skills and passion to excel in this role, we would love to hear from you. Let’s explore the possibilities together.