Summary
Directs, coordinates, and exercises functional authority for planning, organization, control, integration, and completion of manufacturing projects focused on automotive body-in-white (BIW) welding/joining and assembly tooling systems within area of assigned responsibility by performing the following duties personally or through Plant Management and other resources. Makes recommendations to the Vice President of Operations in the formulation of overall corporate objectives, policies, and plans. Drives operational excellence through quality initiatives to optimize production efficiency and support EV/automation integration trends in the automotive sector.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
· Directs the development of departmental budgets and plans required to ensure effective operation of Manufacturing Departments and associated plants, incorporating data analytics for forecasting and cost optimization.
· Studies production schedules and estimates/forecast work hours and subcontractor requirements for completion of job assignment. Prioritizes BIW tooling projects to align with customer timelines for welding and assembly systems.
· Oversees day-to-day operations as the Director of Manufacturing, addressing internal issues, customer concerns, and supply chain disruptions relative to Manufacturing tooling & production operations in an automotive automation integration environment.
· Supervises the overall planning of manufacturing to meet customer requirements and to insure maximum utilization of personnel and facilities. Drives adherence to quality policies and procedures. Leads cross-functional teams in implementing process improvements using Lean tools to reduce waste and enhance BIW assembly throughput.
· Sees that operating departmental activities are carried out at minimum cost and following established policies and procedures.
· Sees that all products are manufactured to designs meeting customer specifications and quality requirements. Ensures compliance with customer build standards for automotive quality management, in addition to ISO guidelines.
· Provides direction and supervision of Manufacturing Department’s activities.
· Suggests changes in working conditions and use of equipment to increase efficiency of shop, department, or work crew, and maintain a safe working environment for all employees in Plant Operations. Incorporates Industry 4.0 technologies (e.g., IoT for real-time monitoring) to drive efficiency and sustainability in BIW production.
· Sees that products are shipped in accordance with schedules prepared by the Project Managers. Manages post-production logistics to ensure on-time delivery of tooling systems, collaborating with supply chain teams.
· Provides proper departmental staffing within guidelines established by VP of Operations & associated project plans, staff’s plants according to meet project budget requirements and deliveries.
· Sees that supplier development and management meets timing and operational needs. Provides feedback to project management & purchasing for improvements or future sourcing considerations. Fosters supplier partnerships for BIW components, emphasizing just-in-time delivery and cost reduction.
Directly or through direct reports:
· Conducts weekly tool build/integration production meeting.
· Coordinates and Directs UTEC’s:
o Material Tracking and Flow Process
o Manufacturing Quality Gates Process
o Continuous Improvement Request Process
· Ensures that the Company is following ISO guidelines and maintains certification.
· Understands and follows safety & environmental regulations and identifies safety/environmental concerns. Promotes zero-incident culture through OSHA compliance and safety initiatives.
· Adheres to the Quality System and participates in continuous improvement.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Directs three to six subordinate managers and supervisors who supervise a total of 20 employees in the Manufacturing, Quality, Safety, and Maintenance departments.
Additional labor is provided through subcontract companies. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this unit.
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring in conjunction with Human Resource Department, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field; or equivalent combination of 10+ years related experience and/or training in automotive manufacturing, with specific knowledge of BIW welding/joining and assembly systems. Automotive industry experience in Detroit Metro area is strongly preferred.
Language Skills
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals and financial reports.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public.
Ability to listen to gather facts and circumstances for analysis.
Computer Skills
· Proficient in Microsoft applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint; experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and manufacturing software for BIW simulation and data analytics.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.
Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
Key Competencies
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a track record of implementing process improvements in high-volume manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional teams and business planning for automotive projects.
Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in BIW tooling systems.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Travel Requirements
Local travel to UTEC facilities for meetings or support is frequently required. Travel requirements may vary based on project assignments and department workloads, including up to 10% regional travel to customer sites.
