At Piston Automotive, The Plant Manager and Launch Manager role is a critical position responsible for both launching and managing a manufacturing facility. This dynamic role combines the responsibilities of overseeing the launch process and transitioning into plant management post-launch. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in both launch management and plant operations, with the ability to seamlessly transition between these phases. 

The successful candidate works with engineering to understand and apply plant, manufacturing process and equipment design standards on time and within budget.  This person provides constructive, timely feedback to the design of these systems to support flawless launch and seamless acceptance at the manufacturing site.  Key responsibilities include reviewing and approving plant layout, material flow, facility and equipment design as well as working with engineering counterparts to capture key operating challenges incumbent with the new processes.  The Launch Manager is directly responsible for ensuring the plant maintenance, quality and production teams are prepared to implement those processes to stringent quality and delivery metrics.

Piston Automotive wasn’t just founded to make things. It was founded to make things better. And that begins with building better teams solely dedicated to achieving excellence at every level of execution through a combination of experience, expertise, and a deep seeded passion for what we do. Our assemblies consistently set the standard because our people consistently raise the bar.

Why Piston Automotive? Competitive Wages, Paid Holidays & Vacation, Medical & Rx Plans, Dental & Vision Plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Life & Disability Coverage, 401K with Company Match, Tuition Reimbursement, Vehicle and Product Discounts

Launch Phase Responsibilities

• Work with Engineering to design and implement world-class plant, process, and equipment systems on time and under budget, meeting high expectations for Production Safety, Reliability, Efficiency, Rate, Product Quality, and Delivery.
• Develop and implement training plans for direct and indirect operators as well as salaried team members.
• Lead process design reviews to identify and implement countermeasures for potential Safety, Quality, or Delivery improvements.
• Manage equipment installation, line debug, and rate achievement.
• For greenfield operations, develop and lead the staffing and hiring plan for the operations team, including salaried, direct and indirect personnel
• For brownfield operations, identify significant staffing or training issues presented by the changes to the operation and ensure those gaps are filled through appropriate hiring and training plans ordinate pre-production builds and ensure production line readiness
• This role requires a versatile leader who can drive the launch process, transition smoothly into plant management, and continuously improve operations to achieve excellence in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Morale (SQDCM)
• For greenfield operations, this person will transition to a leadership role at the plant once it has been launched
• For brownfield operations, this person will be a “carve out” from the existing plant management team.

Plant Management Responsibilities

• Direct and manage all plant operations, including Production, Maintenance, Quality, HR, Finance, IT, and other production-related activities.
• Plan and monitor short and long-term budgets to meet financial commitments.
• Coordinate plant activities with departmental managers to accomplish manufacturing objectives efficiently.
• Implement cost-effective control systems for capital, operating expenditures, manpower, and wages.
• Establish and monitor overall plant performance for production and quality standards.
• Maintain existing plant facilities and equipment, adjusting when necessary.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements, company safety procedures, and health and safety regulations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of plant or general management experience in a manufacturing environment.
• At least 8 years of technical experience in manufacturing or engineering roles.
• Strong leadership experience in engineering or manufacturing roles.
• Experience with new product launches, preferably in the automotive industry.
• Proficiency in Lean Manufacturing principles, including 5-S, Kanban, Kaizen, Poka-Yoke, Six Sigma, and Root Cause Analysis.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to multitask in a flexible environment and communicate effectively with engineers.

PREFERRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience managing in a union environment.
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Lean Manufacturing certification.
• Automotive industry experience.

Piston Automotive, part of the Piston Group family of companies, is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that values the unique contributions of every employee. We encourage all candidates to apply for positions that match their skills and capabilities, ensuring equal consideration without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. For any questions regarding job opportunities or the application process, please reach out to us at pistongrouptalent@pistongroup.com. We are committed to providing accommodations for individuals with disabilities during the job search and application process, reinforcing our commitment to inclusivity for all job seekers.