Who We Are:
Challenge’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry leaders allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do and embody our core values of safety, ownership, and teamwork every day; they are the true driving force in our operations.
Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned atumotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee-owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee-owners share in Challenge’s success!
Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!
Who We Want:
The Director of Operations position will be an integral member of the Operations Leadership Team providing strategic and tactical leadership to drive overall performance goals and objectives to support the business growth strategy. Responsible for the overall strategy and efficient daily operations in each manufacturing facility with the primary accountability for performance results in safety, quality, delivery, cost, customer service, and associate engagement within each manufacturing facility. This position manages all of the Corporate Assembly Project Engineers, estimating engineers, welding, and controls team and is responsible for the performance management and hiring of the employees within that department. This position will oversee multiple plant locations and will play an integral part in developing a strong team and processes across the organization.
What You’ll Do:
- Direct Plant Managers in the preparation and implementation of operating plans and strategies consistent with key metrics
- Implement strong Lean Manufacturing systems and promote the methodologies usage in operations
- Plan the use of facilities, equipment, and personnel to meet current and future manufacturing requirements, including department budgets and guidelines, plant layout and improvement and capital expenditure programs.
- Improve financial performance through waste reduction, cost reduction, and cost improvement plans
- Collaborate with leaders of other functional areas to develop and drive cross-functional improvement initiatives
- Ensure operational compliance with applicable regulations issued by OSHA, EPA, EEOC and other Federal, State and local regulatory agencies, in addition to application certification issue for ISO 14001 and TS1694
When and Where:
This position will sit at our Plant in Holland, MI with travel to support other locations.
What You Need to Have:
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Ten or more years of experience with a minimum of five years of automotive management experience in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 manufacturing environment
- Multi-Plant experience
- Metal Stamping and/or Robotic Welding experience preferred
- Knowledge of Automated MIG and Spot Welding, Projection welding, assembly, SPR, adhesive, sealer, and other body in white applications
- Work on closing open issues with build shops before cell buy off and hand off to manufacturing facility
- Experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project) required
- Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills
- Has high standards of performance for self
- Takes responsibility for actions, results, and mistakes
- Self-motivated and driven performer
- Maintains positive relationships by constructively resolving conflicts
- Uses feedback from others to continuously improve performance and work relationships
- Moves within own and/or other work areas (flexes) to support plant flow
- Works with sense of urgency to meet needs of customers
- Excellent communication, follow-thru, interpersonal, presentation, problem solving, and analytical skills
- Full understanding of automotive PPAP and APQP Standards
- Overnight travel will be required and will vary based on operational needs
What We Offer:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions, Flexible Spending Accounts, company-paid Short-Term Disability and Basic Life, Voluntary Life and LTD, Employer 401k Match, ESOP shares, tuition reimbursement, Referral Bonus Program, Challenge Incentive Program, and paid time off.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
