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Plant Manager – U.S. Plant

Vulcaflex
  1. Role Objective

The Plant Manager is responsible for launching, developing, and managing the new manufacturing facility in the United States, ensuring the achievement of company objectives in safety, quality, customer service, productivity, cost efficiency, and people development.

The Plant Manager ensures full operational performance of the manufacturing site, consisting of two production departments and approximately 100 employees, coordinating all plant functions and ensuring compliance with the industrial, quality, and organizational standards established by Group Management.

During the start-up phase, the Plant Manager leads the development of the local organization, the transfer of know-how from the Italian facility, and the implementation of the manufacturing and management processes required to achieve industrial objectives. .

  1. Reporting Line

This position reports directly to the U.S. General Manager.

  1. Key Responsibilities  

Start-up Phase

  • Lead the plant start-up in accordance with the industrial plan and budget objectives
  • Coordinate installation, commissioning, and start-up activities for equipment and production lines.
  • Define the manufacturing organization, logistics flows, and operational processes.
  • Ensure the transfer of know-how from the Italian operations to the U.S. site.
  • Partner with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Industrialization teams during launch activities.

General Responsibilities:

  • Ensure achievement of production, quality, efficiency, and profitability targets.
  • Monitor and improve key manufacturing KPIs, including OEE, productivity, scrap and rework, on-time delivery, safety, absenteeism, and turnover.
  • Ensure operational continuity and adherence to production schedules.
  • Manage workforce planning and manufacturing capacity.
  • Directly manage key plant leaders, including the Maintenance Manager, Supply Chain/Logistics Manager, Quality Manager, and HSE Coordinator.
  • Ensure compliance with customer-required automotive standards.
  • Support customer, certification body, and corporate audits.
  • Promote continuous improvement initiatives and reduction of non-conformities.
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental, health, and safety regulations.
  • Implement and monitor HSE systems aligned with company standards.
  • Promote a Safety First culture throughout the facility.
  • Manage the plant operating budget.
  • Monitor manufacturing costs, capital investments, and financial performance.
  • Identify opportunities to improve profitability and reduce costs.
  • Maintain close operational alignment with corporate headquarters.
  • Prepare periodic reports on performance, investments, critical issues, and improvement plans.
  • Drive the adoption of Group best practices.
  • Foster employee development and engagement within the local organization.
  1. Technical Competencies
    • Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
    • Production Planning and Control.
    • Industrial Maintenance Management.
    • Industrialization and start-up of new manufacturing facilities.
    • Automotive Quality Systems and related international standards.
    • Industrial KPI analysis and management.
    • Budgeting, cost control, and financial analysis.
    • S. Environment, Health & Safety regulations.
    • Knowledge of the U.S. industrial and regulatory environment.
    • Fluent English.
  2. Management Competencies
  • Leadership and team management.
  • Strategic vision and results orientation.
  • Planning and organizational skills.
  • Effective decision-making in complex environments.
  • Structured, data-driven problem solving.
  • Change management and start-up experience.
  • Ability to work in international and multicultural environments.
  • Effective communication at all organizational levels.
  • Negotiation and stakeholder management.
  • Customer focus and continuous improvement mindset.
  • Ability to develop people and organizations.
  • Ability to build a company culture aligned with Group values.
  1. Position Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Industrial, Manufacturing, Materials, Chemical, or equivalent).
  • MBA or advanced management training preferred.
  • At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in manufacturing leadership positions (Plant Manager, Operations Manager, or equivalent).
  • Automotive industry experience preferred.
  • Significant preference will be given to candidates with greenfield or U.S. manufacturing start-up experience.