Plant Manager

Benteler Automotive Corporation; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

BENTELER Automotive is seeking a Plant Manager to lead a new facility in South Carolina. You will drive strategic direction, operational excellence, and financial performance while ensuring safety and quality standards.

The role requires building a high‑performing team and delivering results in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment. You will promote a culture of continuous improvement, APQP discipline, and strong customer focus to ensure successful program launches and stakeholder satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management or related field.
• Demonstrated success managing plant operations in a complex manufacturing environment.
• Strong financial acumen with budgets, cost controls, and P&L accountability.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of quality systems, safety programs, and manufacturing best practices.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and inspire large cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall strategic and operational leadership for the facility.
• Develop and execute short-, medium-, and long-term business plans.
• Drive operational excellence while aligning with global standards.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to improve productivity and profitability.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships and ensure successful program launches.

Skills

Plant leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Financial acumen (P&L)

Cross-functional leadership

Quality systems

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Manufacturing/Operations Management

Advanced degree in manufacturing/operations (preferred)

Job description

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Division: BENTELER Automotive
Functional Area: Engineering; Production; Project-/Program Management
Career Level: Professional
Contract Type: Permanent/Full-time
Weekly Working Hours: 40.00
Required Languages: English
Requisition ID: 47375

At BENTELER, we make it possible. From promoting individual talents to international career prospects, or from generous opportunities for designing your career to personal development opportunities—at BENTELER, we always have answers to your questions about the future, based entirely on your personal needs. Diverse options that makes sure you can be anything and everything. Or, as we like to put it: BENTELER makes it happen!

At BENTELER, we are driven by innovation, operational excellence, and a commitment to delivering outstanding solutions to our customers. As we expand our footprint in South Carolina, we are seeking an experienced and dynamic Plant Manager to lead our new facility.

This is a unique opportunity to take a leadership role at a new operation while benefiting from the support, resources, and proven systems of a well-established global organization. The Plant Manager will play a critical role in building a high-performing culture, driving operational excellence, ensuring customer satisfaction, and leading the facility to achieve its strategic and financial objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide overall strategic and operational leadership for the facility.
• Develop and execute short, medium, and long-term business plans that support company objectives and future growth.
• Drive operational excellence while maintaining alignment with BENTELER's global standards and best practices.
• Identify and capitalize on opportunities to improve productivity, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure products are manufactured safely, on time, and in accordance with all customer and company quality requirements.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing
• Drive manufacturing excellence through process optimization, waste reduction, and standardization.
• Monitor operational performance and implement corrective actions to achieve target results.

Customer Focus

• Build and maintain strong customer relationships through exceptional quality, delivery performance, and responsiveness.
• Ensure successful program launches through disciplined APQP processes and engineering change management.
• Promote a culture focused on exceeding customer expectations.

Financial and Business Performance

• Own plant profitability and overall P&L performance.
• Develop and manage annual operating budgets and capital plans.
• Drive cost improvement initiatives that offset inflationary pressures, market fluctuations, and operational inefficiencies.
• Optimize inventory management and working capital performance.

Safety, Quality, and Compliance

• Foster and maintain a world-class safety culture throughout the facility.
• Ensure full compliance with quality management systems, environmental standards, corporate policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Mitigate operational risk through robust preventive maintenance and quality assurance practices.
• Champion sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives within the plant.
• Build, develop, and retain a skilled, engaged, and high-performing workforce.
• Create a respectful and inclusive workplace culture that promotes accountability, teamwork, and professional growth.
• Lead by example while embodying BENTELER's mission, values, and leadership principles.
• Provide clear expectations, coaching, performance feedback, and development opportunities for all team members.

Community Engagement

• Represent BENTELER professionally within the local community.
• Strengthen relationships with business organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies.
• Promote a positive corporate image and support community partnerships.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business, or related field.
• Demonstrated success managing plant operations in a complex manufacturing environment.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, cost controls, and P&L accountability.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of quality systems, safety programs, and manufacturing best practices.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and inspire large cross-functional teams.

Preferred

• Experience in automotive modules, assembly, or Tier 1 automotive manufacturing.
• Experience launching or ramping up production within a new manufacturing facility.
• Advanced degree or professional certifications related to manufacturing, operations, or leadership.
• Experience with APQP, change management, and operational excellence methodologies.

Your contact

Casondra Meerschaert
BENTELER Human Resources

The BENTELER Group always has the answer. That’s because in each of our divisions and at every one of our sites, you can benefit from the size and diversity of an international corporation with more than 20,000 employees at around 90 locations worldwide.

The same is true in our BENTELER Automotive division. This is where intelligent solutions for the automotive world are born—and where we, as a partner, provide answers on central topics like safety, the environment, and efficiency to nearly every major automotive manufacturer. Whether it's the body, the chassis, or the engine, we’re constantly setting new standards with the products, materials, and technologies we develop and produce. Inventiveness that makes sure you can be and become anything. Or, as we like to put it: BENTELER makes it happen!

"I am happy to assist you and accompany you as you get started at BENTELER."