Plant General Manager: Lean Operations & Growth Leader

Confidential; Illinois; On-site; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Paid maternity leave

Tuition assistance

Disability insurance

Job summary

A leading automotive firm in the greater Chicago area is seeking an experienced General Manager to oversee operations of a large manufacturing facility. The candidate will lead plant operations, ensuring efficiency, safety, quality, and profitability while fostering continuous improvement and collaboration. This role requires strong leadership and strategic oversight, with significant growth potential within the company.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive leadership in Plant Management or Manufacturing Operations, preferably within a Tier 1 automotive company.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, and Continuous Improvement Systems.
• Strong customer relationship management skills with the ability to build credibility and trust.
• Excellent leadership, supervisory, and communication skills with the ability to build structured, disciplined, and collaborative teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of plant operations, including production, quality, maintenance, engineering, and logistics, with full P&L responsibility.
• Drive operational excellence in safety, quality, equipment utilization, and labor efficiency, ensuring continuous improvement in profitability.
• Provide hands‑on, shop‑floor leadership that is metric‑driven and highly visible to employees.
• Strengthen and expand customer relationships by building trust, ensuring satisfaction, and delivering on Tier 1/Tier 2 automotive standards.
• Implement and sustain structured continuous improvement and lean transformation initiatives that enhance productivity, reduce costs, and improve profit margins.
• Foster a culture of safety, teamwork, accountability, and discipline, developing strong leaders and engaged employees across all levels of the plant.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally to solve problems, implement corrective actions, and maintain rigorous quality standards.
• Represent the plant with customers, auditors, and corporate leadership while ensuring compliance with regulatory, safety, and environmental requirements.

Job description

A leading automotive firm in the greater Chicago area is seeking an experienced General Manager to oversee operations of a large manufacturing facility. The candidate will lead plant operations, ensuring efficiency, safety, quality, and profitability while fostering continuous improvement and collaboration. This role requires strong leadership and strategic oversight, with significant growth potential within the company.