Plant Manager

Dana Corp; Napoleon (OH); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Dana is seeking a Plant Manager in Napoleon, OH to lead the Driveline manufacturing facility, driving safety, quality, delivery, and profitability. You will manage all functions, execute DOS/Lean initiatives, and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

The role requires deep manufacturing leadership, union experience, and strong program management capabilities to deliver strategic objectives and capital projects for growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 4+ years of applicable experience.
• 12+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Experience leading TPS, Lean Manufacturing, Dana Operating System (DOS), or similar operational excellence systems.
• Experience in a unionized manufacturing environment.
• Strong APQP, program management, and product launch experience.
• Tier 1 automotive manufacturing experience required.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for plant operations, achieving safety, quality, delivery, cost, customer satisfaction, and profitability objectives.
• Maintain full plant P&L responsibility, including budgeting, cost management, capital expenditures, and financial results.
• Lead and develop all functional areas: Operations, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, Materials Management, Maintenance, HR, EHS, and Finance.
• Establish and execute plant strategies, goals, and performance objectives aligned with corporate objectives.
• Champion safety excellence and ensure compliance with company policies and regulations.
• Drive DOS, Lean Manufacturing, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Foster a high-performance culture with employee engagement and talent development.
• Lead labor relations and maintain relationships with union leadership and employees.
• Oversee manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, supply chain, inventory management, and facilities.
• Represent the site to customers, suppliers, community, and corporate leadership.
• Ensure successful execution of new product launches and transitions.
• Lead capital planning and investment initiatives to support growth and efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical

Problem-solving

Travel

Education

Bachelor's degree

12+ years manufacturing leadership

Job description

Dana is a global leader in the supply of highly engineered driveline, sealing, and thermal-management technologies that improve the efficiency and performance of vehicles with both conventional and alternative-energy powertrains. Serving two primary markets - passenger vehicle and commercial truck equipment - Dana provides the world's original-equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket with local product and service support through a network of nearly 100 engineering, manufacturing, and distribution facilities.

Job Purpose

The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and strategic direction of the Napoleon Driveline manufacturing facility. Reporting to the Director of Operations, North America, this role has full accountability for safety, quality, delivery, cost, talent development, customer satisfaction, and profitability. The Plant Manager leads all functional areas of the operation, driving operational excellence through the Dana Operating System (DOS) and lean manufacturing principles while ensuring the achievement of operational, financial, and strategic objectives. As the senior site leader, this role fosters a culture of safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and employee engagement, while serving as the primary point of contact for employees, customers, suppliers, and corporate stakeholders.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for all plant operations, ensuring the achievement of safety, quality, delivery, cost, customer satisfaction, and profitability objectives.
• Maintain full plant Profit & Loss (P&L) responsibility, including strategic planning, budgeting, cost management, capital expenditures, operating performance, and financial results.
• Lead and develop all functional areas of the facility, including Operations, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, Materials Management, Maintenance, Human Resources, Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS), and Finance.
• Establish and execute plant strategies, goals, and performance objectives aligned with business unit and corporate objectives.
• Champion a culture of safety excellence and ensure compliance with all company policies, environmental regulations, and occupational health and safety requirements.
• Drive operational excellence through Dana Operating System (DOS), Lean Manufacturing methodologies, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on employee engagement, accountability, talent development, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Lead labor relations activities and maintain positive relationships with union leadership and employees.
• Oversee manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, supply chain, inventory management, and facility operations.
• Serve as the primary site leader and representative for customers, suppliers, community stakeholders, and corporate leadership.
• Ensure successful execution of new product launches and program transitions through effective cross-functional collaboration.
• Lead capital planning and investment initiatives to support growth, capacity expansion, safety improvements, and operational efficiency.

Education and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 4+ years of applicable experience
• 12+ years of experience progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including responsibility for plant operations, business performance, and people leadership.
• Proven success leading Toyota Production System (TPS), Lean Manufacturing, Dana Operating System (DOS), or similar operational excellence systems.
• Experience with full-plant accountability for safety, quality, delivery, cost, people development, customer satisfaction, and financial performance.
• Strong financial acumen including budget, capital, cost control, and P&L responsibility.
• Extensive knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Visual Management, Kanban, and SMED.
• Tier 1 automotive manufacturing experience required.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a unionized manufacturing environment, including employee engagement, workforce development, and labor relations.
• Strong APQP, program management, and product launch experience.

Skills

• Excellent communication, leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Travel as required to customers, supplier, and company locations.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.