Laepple Automotive US Inc

Plant Manager

Detroit, MI
Full Time
Senior Manager/Supervisor
About us
LAEPPLE Automotive is a leading supplier in the automotive industry, specializing in high-quality components and systems for body components manufacturing. Our innovative technologies and efficient production processes set benchmarks in the industry. We are seeking a results-oriented Plant Manager responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and continuous improvement of our Detroit manufacturing facility. This role ensures safe, high-quality, and cost-effective production while meeting customer delivery, quality and launch requirements in a just-in-time environment. The Plant Manager drives operational excellence, develops high-performing teams, and maintains strong customer and supplier relationships aligned with automotive OEM expectations.
 
Key Responsibilities:
  • Direct all plant operations including production, maintenance, quality, materials, engineering and logistics.
  • Ensures achievement of SQDC (safety, quality, delivery, cost) targets and KPIs.
  • Lead daily management, capacity planning, and constraint removal to meet customer schedules and launch timing.
  • Oversee Class A surface quality standards for exterior body panels and cosmetic components.
  • Ensure robust quality systems and corrective action discipline.
  • Lead customer interface for plant performance, audits, and escalation management.
  • Drive zero-defect mindset.
  • Champion Lean Manufacturing and waste elimination initiatives.
  • Improve OEE, throughput, scrap, rework, and changeover performance.
  • Lead structured problem solving and kaizen culture across all departments.
  • Optimize labor productivity and plant layout.
  • Own plant P&L performance including labor, material, and conversion cost.
  • Develop and manage annual operating budgets and capital plans.
  • Dliver cost reduction and margin improvement initiatives.
  • Support quoting, program launches, and capacity investments.
  • Build and lead a high-performance leadership team.
  • Drive employee engagement, accountability, and performance management.
  • Ensure effective workforce planning, training, and succession development.
  • Maintain positive employee relations.
  • Ensure a zero-incident safety culture.
  • Maintain compliance with ISO/IATF, OSHA/MIOSHA, safety, environmental, regulatory requirements, and department/company policies and procedures.
Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field required.
  • MBA or advanced degree preferred.
  • 10+ years automotive manufacturing experience, including 5+ years in plant or operations leadership.
  • Experience in a Tier I automotive manufacturing environment, with OEM customer interface.
  • Working knowledge and experience with Class A surface or exterior body component manufacturing (stamping, paint, assembly, etc.).
  • Launch and program management experience in JIT/JIS environment.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Strong leadership and organizational development capability.
  • Deep knowledge of automotive quality systems and standards.
  • Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement expertise.
  • Finance acumen and P&L management.
  • Customer-facing communication and negotiation skills.
  • Data-driven decision making and problem solving.
Work Environment
  • Manufacturing plant environment with regular presence on production floor.
  • Requires flexibility to support multi-shift operations and customer demands typical of an automotive OEM supplier.
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