Company Overview
[$COMPANY_OVERVIEW]
Role Overview
[$COMPANY_NAME] is hiring a Director of Automotive Operations to lead end-to-end vehicle program execution, manufacturing operations, and post-production service delivery. Reporting to the VP of Global Operations, you will define and execute strategy to scale manufacturing throughput, reduce cost-per-vehicle, and guarantee regulatory compliance across program lifecycles. This is a senior leadership role that combines operational P&L ownership, cross-functional program management, supplier & logistics leadership, and continuous improvement at scale in a high-velocity automotive engineering and production environment.
Responsibilities
- Operational Strategy & Execution: Develop and own multi-year operations strategy for manufacturing, final assembly, and aftermarket service operations aligned with product roadmap and revenue targets.
- Program Leadership: Lead end-to-end vehicle program execution from pilot builds through ramp and maturity, driving milestone delivery (DFX sign-offs, PPAP, SOP, ramp-to-rate) and maintaining program schedules/plans.
- Manufacturing & Process Engineering: Architect and optimize production processes (line balancing, takt time, poka-yoke, SMED), implement lean manufacturing and Six Sigma practices to achieve capacity and quality targets.
- Supply Chain & Supplier Management: Own supplier selection, qualification, scorecards, and continuous performance improvement; manage long-lead components, risk mitigation, and dual-sourcing strategies.
- Quality, Compliance & Safety: Ensure ISO/TS/IATF, FMVSS, EPA, and regional homologation compliance; reduce warranty exposure and field incidents through root-cause analysis (8D) and robust CAPA systems.
- Cross-functional Leadership: Partner with Product Engineering, Systems, Manufacturing IT, Safety, Procurement, and Field Service to translate design into producible, serviceable vehicles; establish Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) where appropriate.
- Metrics & Financials: Define and track KPIs (OTD, DPU, yield, OEE, cost-per-unit, NPS, warranty RPU); manage operations budget, CAPEX for tooling and automation, and drive cost-out initiatives.
- People & Culture: Build, mentor, and scale high-performance operations teams including Plant Managers, Process Engineers, Quality Leads, and Supplier Development; establish clear career paths and performance frameworks.
- Continuous Improvement & Automation: Evaluate and deploy factory automation (robotics, vision systems), MES/SCADA integrations, and digital twin / simulation tools to increase throughput and reduce variation.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of progressive experience in automotive operations, manufacturing, or supply chain leadership, with at least 5 years in senior management or director-level roles.
- Proven track record delivering high-volume vehicle programs (SOP through ramp) or complex mobility hardware programs.
- Deep knowledge of automotive manufacturing standards and regulatory frameworks (IATF 16949, FMVSS, EPA, regional homologation processes).
- Experience owning P&L, operations budgets, and CAPEX planning for manufacturing facilities.
- Strong analytical skills with experience using manufacturing metrics (OEE, DPU, yield), financial modeling, and data-driven decision making.
- Demonstrated supplier management and negotiation experience, including contracts, warranty agreements, and supplier development.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or equivalent; MBA or advanced technical degree preferred.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with EV powertrain manufacturing, battery assembly, or high-voltage vehicle systems.
- Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, Lean Enterprise, or equivalent continuous improvement credentials.
- Hands-on experience with MES, PLM, ERP systems (SAP S/4HANA), manufacturing simulation, and robotics integration.
- International operations experience and familiarity with importing/exporting vehicle components and customs processes.
Technical Skills and Relevant Technologies
- Manufacturing systems: MES, SCADA, PLC integration, digital twin tools.
- Automation & robotics: ABB, KUKA, FANUC, vision inspection systems, cobots.
- Quality tools: FMEA, APQP, PPAP, SPC, MSA, 8D problem solving.
- Data & analytics: SQL, Power BI/Tableau, statistical process control tools, root-cause analysis platforms.
- Enterprise systems: SAP S/4HANA, Oracle ERP, Teamcenter or Windchill (PLM).
- Standards & compliance: IATF 16949, ISO 9001, environmental and safety regulatory tools.
Soft Skills and Cultural Fit
- Strategic leader with proven ability to create and execute multi-year operational roadmaps and to influence C-level stakeholders.
- Track record of leading architecture decision records (ADRs), conducting thorough operational reviews, and mentoring cross-functional teams.
- Excellent communicator, capable of translating technical manufacturing constraints into commercial trade-offs for product and finance teams.
- Proven crisis management skills and experience debugging complex production incidents using structured incident response and distributed tracing of process flows.
- Bias for data-driven decisions, continuous learning, and promoting an inclusive, safety-first culture.
Benefits and Perks
Salary range: [$SALARY_RANGE]
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer-paid basic life and disability insurance.
- Retirement plan with company match or equivalent pension benefits.
- Equity or long-term incentive compensation commensurate with seniority.
- Generous paid time off, parental leave, and flexible working arrangements where operationally feasible.
- Professional development stipend, certification reimbursement (Six Sigma, PMP), and relocation assistance as needed.
- On-site amenities depending on facility: shuttle services, cafeteria, and wellness programs.
Equal Opportunity Statement
[$COMPANY_NAME] is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or any other protected status under applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities; please indicate accommodation needs in your application.
Location
This role is based in [$COMPANY_LOCATION] and requires regular presence at manufacturing sites, suppliers, and regional offices. Travel up to 40% is expected, including domestic and international supplier visits and plant audits.
How to Apply
Please submit a resume and cover letter describing your relevant vehicle program and operations leadership experience. Candidates who meet the criteria will be contacted for next steps.
