The position
the plant manager for the chihuahua manufacturing facility is responsible for all activities of each function. Will lead and direct all production departments as well as support functions, which may or may not include manufacturing engineering, production planning & scheduling, purchasing, materials management, facility is, building services, quality, human resources and plant finance. This position is the top lead management position of the chihuahua facility and is responsible for daily order fulfillment, eh&s, quality and continuous improvement activities, all targeted at achieving customer satisfaction goals as measured by the company operating system metrics. Position reports to the director of operations based in the usa.
responsible for facility of over 130,00 sq ft in area; employing more than 500 employees; supporting three or more major manufacturing processes in the facility and supporting npd/i processes within the factory.
the plant manager has the authority and responsibility to stop machines and equipment that are not working according to the standard process and may cause defects or insecure conditions. Must know and apply the company’s environmental policies and procedures in the performance of his or her duties.
the position
the operations manager will lead the overall performance of the chihuahua manufacturing facility, overseeing all aspects of production, engineering, quality, eh&s, and continuous improvement. This role is central to ensuring operational excellence by driving efficiency, compliance, and customer satisfaction while fostering a high-performing and collaborative culture.
in this position, the operations manager will be responsible for implementing and maintaining a proactive approach to environmental health & safety, ensuring compliance with all state, federal, and local regulations. A strong emphasis will be placed on employee safety, housekeeping practices such as 5s, and behavior-based safety programs. Performance will be closely monitored through scorecard reviews and audits, with timely corrective actions required when needed.
the role also includes full accountability for the plant’s quality system. The operations manager will oversee internal and external defect control, lead audits, and ensure compliance with iso/ts/as standards, while providing regular updates to leadership. Equally important is the responsibility for delivery performance and customer satisfaction. This requires setting and monitoring goals, ensuring on-time shipments, and maintaining strong relationships with supply chain partners to guarantee targets for quality, delivery, and cost are consistently achieved.
effective asset management is another critical aspect of the role, including oversight of inventory, purchasing, and capital equipment. The operations manager will ensure assets are properly maintained, safeguarded, and utilized to support business objectives. At the same time, the role demands a focus on driving productivity across all areas of the operation. Lean manufacturing, 6-sigma, and other continuous improvement tools will be applied to increase efficiency, reduce variation, and support a culture of operational excellence.
additionally, the operations manager will lead the engineering function by supporting capital project justification, implementing cost reductions, and overseeing new product introductions and technology transfers to ensure they are delivered on time and within budget. Above all, this role requires strong leadership to guide, develop, and motivate teams, balancing both tactical execution and strategic vision to achieve long-term growth.
the candidate
1. bs in engineering or equivalent, mba preferred.
2. lean and continuous improvement knowledge and experience
3. iatf 16949 regulated manufacturing experience experience required
4. excellent communication and negotiation skills
5. 10+ years manufacturing experience with increasingly responsible roles with at least 5 years as a plant manager, sr operations manager or similar.
6. knowledge and good understanding of cost accounting & financial skills
7. experience with multinational companies and low volume and high mix manufacturing environments are required.
8. familiar with chihuahua is preferred.
9. ideal candidate who possesses good mix of tactical and strategic skills is a transparent, fast paced, collaborative leader with good consensus building skills. A team player who pushes for results.
10. fluent in english (85%+) and spanish.
core competencies
1. organizing – can marshal resources (people, funding, material, support) to get things done; can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal; uses resources effectively and efficiently arranges information and files in a useful manner.
2. timely decision making – makes decisions in a timely manner, sometimes with incomplete information and under tight deadlines and pressure; able to make a quick decision.
3. motivating others – creating a climate in which people want to do their best can motivate many kinds of direct reports and team or project members; can assess each person’s hot button and use it to get the best out of him/her; pushes tasks and decisions down; empowers others; invites input from each person and shares ownership and visibility; it makes everyone feel his/her work is important. Is someone people like working for and with.
4. process management – good at figuring out the processes necessary to get things done; knows how to organize people and activities; understands how to separate and combine tasks into efficient workflow; knows what to measure and how to measure it; can see opportunities for synergy and integration where others can’t; can simplify complex processes; get more out of fewer resources.
5. command skills – relishes leading; takes unpopular stands if necessary; encourages direct and tough debate but isn’t afraid to end and move on; is looked for direction in a crisis; faces adversity head on. Energized by tough challenges.