Site Operations Manager (Plant Manager)

THE COMPANY

We have been retained to by a global leader in high speed and high-density connection systems who solves system design challenges with integrated interconnect solutions for application in Automotive, Commercial Aerospace, Industrial, Military, Networking, Broadband communications, Data Storage, and Computer Servers markets. This global leader has sales of nearly $11 billion USD. The Basics and CMIO Business Unit under the Commercial Products Group (with over $1.2 Billion USD in sales)  currently seeks a Site Operations Manager to lead a plant start-up in Mexicali, BC, Mexico to manufacture High Speed Cable Products primarily for e-vehicles, energy storage, and consumer.

THE JOB

Job Summary:
Reporting to the Commercial Products Group General Manager based in France, the Site Operations Manager’s role will be responsible for all aspects of site operations including setting the manufacturing up for running, building and leading the multifunctional team to ensure productivity, safety, quality, and customer expectation goals are achieved. The Site Operations Manager will be instrumental in driving productivity and profitability within the site’s operations and plays a critical role in bringing tight alignment between BU strategy and operations execution.

Key responsibilities:

• In charge of launching a new plant operation which will include:
  • Travel to existing manufacturing sites in the USA and abroad for in depth training.
  • Hiring a leadership team and development of all team members including local management team reporting to the plant manager.
  • Installation and startup of all equipment
  • Establish existing supply chains to a new location and develop new sources to localize material sources.

• Partners with BU to set production objectives that align with the Customer needs and BU strategy. The role is solely responsible for the efficient integration of ACP connectors into commercial cable assemblies, automotive cable assemblies and added value operations.
• Accountable for the business P&L, meeting and improving financial margins through annual budget planning and delivery of revenue and costs per established business plan.
• Develop and implement procedures to ensure the production and processes run reliably and efficiently and ensure compliance with all applicable and related regulations.
• Encourage and promote a culture of continuous improvement by managing and monitoring production operation expenses and researching ways to reduce direct and indirect manufacturing expenses and capital expenses while maintaining product quality.
• Create and lead a culture of quality, responsible for the achievement of goals in quality of products and services provided by the site
• Take the ownership of all procurement activities, (i.e., localization of cables and wires, plastic resins…) to ensure an integrated sourcing process that meets customer requirements, minimize total cost and maximizes effectiveness
• Efficiently communicate and manage in a matrix environment across Quality, Supply Chain, Customer Service and Engineering teams
• Support local EH&S and drive execution of initiatives to provide a safe workplace with zero incidents for our employees and ensure all staff members are aware of safety policies
• Serve as a role model of leadership. Set direction and select, develop, and coach individuals and build a high performing team, identify organizational gaps and implement plans.

THE CANDIDATE

• Previous solid experience as a Plant Manager. Must have at least 10 to 20 years’ experience in overall manufacturing in management roles.
• Must have prior solid experience in automotive manufacturing industry. Ideal candidate will have a background in cable assembly / wire harness industry, familiar with auto crimping and termination technologies in low volume high mix and mass production, as well.  Wiring harness and automation experience preferred.
• Exposure to multi-national companies and multiple cultures like US, European and Asian.
• Experience with budget elaboration and control is required. Partial P&L experience highly preferred.
• Ful knowledge of IATF-16949 and VDA 6.3.
• Strong background in lean and continuous improvement methodologies.
• A technical engineering background is preferred.
• Manufacturing plant start-up experience is a plus, but not required.
• Prior experience working in Mexicali is a plus but not required.
• Solid knowledge of quality and production planning / scheduling.
• Excellent leader with solid management skills and the ability to build credible relationships. Solid history of hiring, mentoring, training and developing high performing operational teams.
• Resourceful problem solver who is able to anticipate and execute in a demanding environment.
• Results-oriented with effective communication and influencing skills.
• Bilingual. Fluent in English and Spanish. Mandarin Chinese a plus.
• MSOffice, ERP user.
• Bachelor degree in engineering or technical discipline, business, operations, supply chain or similar. Master’s degree a plus.