OPERATIONS MANAGER – VEHICLE ACCESS SYSTEMS

This is a high-impact site leadership role focused on driving world-class safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance within a globally recognized automotive Tier 1 supplier. The Operations Manager will lead the deployment and sustainability of Toyota Production System (TPS) principles across all plant operations, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, respect for people, operational discipline, waste elimination, and problem solving. This position oversees manufacturing, quality, operational engineering, supply chain, and continuous improvement functions at a strategically important North American facility producing mechanical and electronic locking systems and car access technologies for the global automotive industry.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the deployment and sustainability of Toyota Production System (TPS) principles across all plant operations.
• Ensure work environments are adequate, safe, and compliant with internal and external regulations.
• Define and implement site access rules and protect the facility from external hazards.
• Own the execution of Health, Safety, Environment, and Energy (HSEE) programs and delegate responsibilities where appropriate.
• Maintain the building in appropriate condition, ensuring defects and repairs are properly managed.
• Advance the site toward climate neutrality within approved budgets.
• Communicate directives, policies, and procedures to maintain understanding and compliance.
• Project a positive image of the organization to employees, customers, industry, and community.
• Oversee quality departments to ensure achievement of goals established by company leadership.
• Establish quantitative and qualitative metrics, guidelines, and standards for evaluating effectiveness.
• Review, analyze, and evaluate business procedures and implement improvements.
• Drive customer satisfaction through policy, procedural, and process improvements.
• Deploy and sustain TPS principles, Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, standardized work, visual management, root cause problem solving, and waste elimination methodologies.
• Develop a continuous improvement culture through employee engagement, coaching, and disciplined execution.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement across the organization.
• Oversee manufacturing, quality, operational engineering, supply chain, and continuous improvement departments.
• Plan, direct, control, implement, evaluate, monitor, and forecast budgets and cost of sales to achieve financial objectives.
• Coordinate and integrate efforts across operations, engineering, technology, and continuous improvement teams.
• Continuously improve facility layout and material flow to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• Establish operational metrics and performance measures to drive accountability and results.
• Drive a culture of problem solving using data, KPIs, Gemba principles, and structured continuous improvement methodologies.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Automotive industry experience within a Tier 1 or Tier 2 supplier environment.
• Demonstrated experience implementing and sustaining Toyota Production System (TPS) principles.
• Hands-on operational leadership with injection molding processes.
• Direct experience with robotic paint systems.
• Proven multi-function plant leadership across manufacturing, quality, engineering, supply chain, and continuous improvement.
• HSEE and plant governance ownership.
• Full budget and cost-of-sales accountability.
• Track record of building a continuous improvement culture through coaching and disciplined execution.
• Strong communication, coaching, and cross-functional leadership skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior Operations Manager, Plant Manager, or Site Leader experience.
• Experience with Class-A painted exterior components such as door handles, trim, or fascias.
• Toyota-tier supplier background or formal TPS training.
• Sustainability or climate-neutrality project leadership experience.
• Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent continuous improvement certification.
• Experience within a global, matrixed manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with automotive locking systems, car access, or authorization technologies.