Sr. Manufacturing Manager

True North Consultants, Inc.; Saint Joseph (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent medical benefits

401K plan

Paid holidays and vacation

Tuition reimbursement

Bonus potential

Job summary

True North Consultants, Inc. in St. Joseph, MI is seeking a Sr. Manufacturing Manager to lead production in a dynamic, tech-driven automotive environment. The role emphasizes profitability, continuous improvement, and strategic plant leadership on the shop floor and in planning cycles.

The position reports to the General Manager and involves managing 100+ direct/indirect staff, driving Lean initiatives, and ensuring safety and regulatory compliance while delivering on cost and quality targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher in engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in operations management in metals/automotive environments.
• Experience supervising large multi-shift teams (100+).

Responsibilities

• Lead plant P&L and cost management with the GM to maximize profitability.
• Direct daily production activities and 6–12 month planning.
• Oversee budgeting, scheduling, labor planning, and material control to meet customer demand.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Leadership

Strategic Planning

P&L Management

Budgeting

Process Improvement

Labor Planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree (BS/Engineering)

Associate’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

ERP systems

Job description

Sr. Manufacturing Manager

St. Joseph, MI area

Competitive Salary, Bonus, 401K, and More!

Lead the operations of a premier, tech-driven automotive manufacturer with over 50 years of stability, inheriting a 100% permanent workforce and the autonomy to drive team growth and operational excellence!

• 50+ Years of Stability: Take true ownership of operations for a premier automotive employer backed by a long-tenured GM and a wave of incoming new business.
• No Contingent Labor: Lead a dedicated, 100% permanent plant workforce where we actively focus on developing from within and growing internal talent.
• Modern, Tech-Driven Facility: Work in a large, newly remodeled office near the manufacturing floor, managing a plant updated with cutting-edge technology.
• Great Rewards: Boost your earnings with annual bonus potential and choose from multiple comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• True Leadership Impact: Step into a role where you aren't just managing—you are leading the growth of your team and shaping the future of the operation.

Profitable, stable manufacturer is seeking a Sr. Manufacturing Manager to lead production activity at a growing automotive supplier focused on safety, labor, variable cost and continuous improvement. Daily you will report to the General Manager. Responsibilities will include:

Operational Leadership & Strategy

• P&L & Cost Management: Along with the GM, actively evaluate the plant P&L and monitor variable costs, including direct/indirect labor, tooling cost allocations, etc., in order to maximize profitability and drive cost control.
• Strategic Planning: Direct daily production activities and provide leadership through a 6-12-month planning cycle, contributing directly to long-range (1-2 year) operational strategies.
• Budgeting & Scheduling: Oversee the operations budget, daily labor planning, production scheduling, and material control to consistently meet customer demands.

Continuous Improvement & Compliance

• Lean & 5S: Drive the execution of Lean Manufacturing practices, 5S initiatives, and overall plant cleanliness across the plant.
• Regulatory & Safety Compliance: Ensure strict compliance with quality standards, customer specifications, and state/federal environmental regulations (including wastewater and chemical handling).
• Safety Program Leadership: Lead proactive safety programs, including employee training, incident investigations, and Workers’ Compensation processes.

Team Development & Employee Relations

• Talent Development: Build and manage the operations leadership team, overseeing training matrices, onboarding, and long-term employee development initiatives.
• Culture & Accountability: Foster a workplace culture rooted in mutual respect, teamwork, accountability, and rapid, collaborative problem resolution.
• Workforce Management: Manage direct reports’ schedules, attendance, and vacations, ensuring consistent application of company policies.

The qualified candidate will enjoy spending up to 60-70% of their day on the manufacturing floor, be a good problem solver, able to work in fast-paced automotive environments, thrive on driving continuous improvement, able to build a team and drive engagement and execute plans and projects. The General Manager is anxiously awaiting their strategic operations partner!

The company offers EXCELLENT medical benefits (including dental and vision) available after 90 days, short-term and long-term disability, 401K, paid holidays and vacation, tuition reimbursement, life, and BONUS potential.

REQUIREMENTS for the Sr. Manufacturing Manager

• 1. Ideally a Bachelor's degree; an Associate's degree will be considered
• 2. At least five years in a similar operations management role
• 3. Experience working in metals environments, such as stamping, machining, fabrication, OR automotive supplier experience
• 4. Experience overseeing direct and indirect reports
• 5. Experience overseeing at least 100 people in multi-shift operations
• 6. Working knowledge variable cost, labor planning and labor costs, cost of manufacturing, etc.
• 7. Microsoft Office

Skills preferred but NOT required

• 1. Automation
• 2. Lean/Six Sigma methodologies
• 3. Non-union workforces
• 4. Working knowledge of ERP systems
• 5. Automotive supplier experience
• 6. Previous experience with product launches
• 7. Experience with sales of at least 50M
• 8. Experience leading root cause analysis (problem solving) and corrective actions
• 9. Strong continuous improvement background with proven examples of scrap reductions, efficiency improvements, etc.

Reasons to work for this organization

• Multiple plans for medical, dental and vision
• Stable organization in the automotive industry and adding new business
• Annual bonus potential
• Beautiful new office space with a window and close to the production floor
• A plant with cutting edge technology
• This company grows their internal talent

Candidates are preferred to be local to the St. Joseph, MI area. There is a conservative relocation package for regional candidates meeting the requirements.