L.E. Jones Company
Vice President of Manufacturing
L.E. Jones Company, Menominee, Michigan, United States, 49858
Manufacturer of Automotive Parts (primarily valve seat inserts) for Medium and Large Sized Companies – Mid-Size Company, 3-Shift Union Operation
Position Summary
The Vice President of Manufacturing is a key member of the executive leadership team and is responsible for the overall manufacturing performance of a mid-size, three-shift cast product facility with a union workforce. This leader has full accountability for manufacturing, production planning, maintenance, engineering, product quality, and facilities/grounds. The VP of Manufacturing ensures safe, efficient, and reliable operations across both older and modern equipment, while driving a culture of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement. The VP of Manufacturing must have a customer-facing approach, providing flexibility and support for customer requirements, ensuring on-time delivery, product quality, and appropriate capacity to meet customer requirements. The role is highly visible and hands-on, requiring regular presence on the shop floor to engage with employees, support front-line leaders, and ensure that manufacturing operations consistently meet company objectives for safety, product quality, environment, delivery, and cost. The VP of Manufacturing will also play a key role in supporting a positive, collaborative relationship with union leadership and in building a stable, high-performance environment across all three shifts. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Manufacturing Leadership
Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for all manufacturing activities across 3 shifts. Weekend shifts may be employed at times of high-capacity requirement. Translate corporate goals and customer requirements into clear manufacturing strategies and priorities. Develop and deploy annual manufacturing plans that support growth, cost, quality, and delivery objectives. Ensure effective communication and handoffs between shifts, including standardized shift reports and regular shift review meetings. Establish and track key manufacturing KPIs (e.g., OEE, scrap, rework, throughput, on-time delivery, absenteeism) and drive accountability for results. Production & Manufacturing Excellence
Oversee the manufacturing of products from raw material through finished goods, ensuring adherence to customer specifications, industry standards, and internal quality requirements. Optimize production processes in a mixed environment of legacy and modern machinery, including CNC equipment, semi-automated cells, and manual machines. Identify and eliminate production bottlenecks; improve throughput and overall process flow while maintaining high quality. Reduce scrap, rework, and unplanned downtime by strengthening process controls and employing problem-solving methods. Ensure standardized work, work instructions, and process documentation are developed, maintained, and consistently followed across all shifts and departments. Collaborate with engineering, quality and sales to introduce new products, processes, and equipment in a controlled and effective manner. Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement
Lead the development and deployment of a lean manufacturing culture throughout the plant, with an emphasis on employee involvement and ownership. Champion lean tools and methodologies such as 5S, value stream mapping, SMED, visual management, standardized work, Kaizen events, TPM, and root cause problem solving. Prioritize and manage a portfolio of continuous improvement projects that reduce waste, improve flow, and enhance safety, quality, and productivity. Train and coach managers, supervisors, and team leads in lean principles so they can independently lead improvement activities. Maintenance, Equipment Reliability & Facilities
Own and continuously improve the maintenance strategy for all manufacturing equipment, utilities, and support systems. Implement and oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs to minimize unplanned downtime and extend equipment life, particularly in a facility with both older and newer machines. Coordinate with maintenance leadership to ensure proper staffing, training, and scheduling of maintenance activities across all three shifts. Prioritize and manage capital equipment projects, including evaluation, justification, selection, installation, and start-up of new or replacement equipment. Ensure that all plant facilities and grounds—including buildings, parking areas, lighting, landscaping, and common areas—are maintained in a clean, safe, and professional condition. Manage outside contractors and service providers for facilities and grounds work as needed, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory Compliance
Promote a strong safety culture and visible safety leadership, ensuring that safety is treated as a core value and integrated into all manufacturing decisions. Ensure compliance with OSHA and other applicable safety and environmental regulations, as well as company policies and procedures. Ensure consistent use of required PPE and safe work practices by all employees and contractors. Quality & Customer Focus
Partner with Quality leadership to maintain and continuously improve the plant’s quality management system and applicable certifications (ISO, IATF). Ensure manufacturing processes produce consistent, defect-free product that meet or exceed customer performance and reliability expectations. Support customer visits, audits, product launches, and problem-resolution activities, representing the manufacturing organization professionally and effectively. Promote ‘quality at the source’ by integrating mistake-proofing, robust process controls, and standardized work into every manufacturing operation. Use data-driven methods (e.g., SPC, trend analysis, Pareto analysis) to identify quality issues and drive root cause corrective actions. Labor Relations & People Leadership
Lead, develop, and mentor manufacturing leadership, supervisors, and support staff across all shifts to build a strong, capable, and engaged organization. Work collaboratively with union leadership to maintain constructive labor relations, including regular communication, joint problem solving, and respect for the collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Participate in contract negotiations, grievance procedures, and other union-related processes as required. Ensure fairness, consistency, and transparency in the application of policies, work rules, and discipline. Promote employee engagement through effective communication, recognition, and involvement in continuous improvement activities. Ensure appropriate training, cross-training, and skills development programs are in place for operators, maintenance personnel, and team leaders on all shifts. Financial & Strategic Management
Monitor and analyze manufacturing performance and financial results; identify trends, opportunities, and risks, and implement corrective actions when needed. Lead cost reduction initiatives focused on improving efficiency, reducing waste, and optimizing material usage without compromising safety or quality. Participate in strategic planning and long-term capacity planning for the facility, including capital investment planning and footprint optimization. Provide input on pricing, make/buy decisions, and sourcing strategies from a manufacturing capability and cost perspective. Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Management, Business, or a related field required. Master’s degree (MBA or related discipline) preferred. Experience
Minimum of 10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a regulated machining manufacturing environment. Experience with automotive OEM is strongly preferred. Experience in a mid-size, multi-shift manufacturing facility with a union workforce is strongly preferred. Demonstrated success implementing lean manufacturing and continuous improvement with measurable, sustainable results. Proven experience overseeing plant maintenance, facilities, and grounds, particularly in a setting with both older legacy equipment and modern technology. Strong leadership presence with the ability to set direction, influence others, and drive accountability at all levels of the organization. Deep understanding of lean manufacturing principles, maintenance strategies (preventive, predictive, TPM), and problem-solving methodologies. Effective in a union environment, with a track record of building constructive, trust-based relationships with union leadership. Data-driven, analytical problem-solver with strong business acumen and financial understanding. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate effectively with shop-floor employees, peers, senior leadership, and customers. Hands-on, results-oriented leader comfortable with frequent presence on the manufacturing floor. Strong commitment to safety, quality, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement. Working Conditions
Primarily on-site role in a manufacturing facility with frequent presence on the shop floor around machining equipment, noise, and industrial materials. Must be able to support all three shifts as needed, including occasional early morning, evening, or weekend presence. Occasional travel to customers, suppliers, and corporate locations.
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The Vice President of Manufacturing is a key member of the executive leadership team and is responsible for the overall manufacturing performance of a mid-size, three-shift cast product facility with a union workforce. This leader has full accountability for manufacturing, production planning, maintenance, engineering, product quality, and facilities/grounds. The VP of Manufacturing ensures safe, efficient, and reliable operations across both older and modern equipment, while driving a culture of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement. The VP of Manufacturing must have a customer-facing approach, providing flexibility and support for customer requirements, ensuring on-time delivery, product quality, and appropriate capacity to meet customer requirements. The role is highly visible and hands-on, requiring regular presence on the shop floor to engage with employees, support front-line leaders, and ensure that manufacturing operations consistently meet company objectives for safety, product quality, environment, delivery, and cost. The VP of Manufacturing will also play a key role in supporting a positive, collaborative relationship with union leadership and in building a stable, high-performance environment across all three shifts. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Manufacturing Leadership
Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for all manufacturing activities across 3 shifts. Weekend shifts may be employed at times of high-capacity requirement. Translate corporate goals and customer requirements into clear manufacturing strategies and priorities. Develop and deploy annual manufacturing plans that support growth, cost, quality, and delivery objectives. Ensure effective communication and handoffs between shifts, including standardized shift reports and regular shift review meetings. Establish and track key manufacturing KPIs (e.g., OEE, scrap, rework, throughput, on-time delivery, absenteeism) and drive accountability for results. Production & Manufacturing Excellence
Oversee the manufacturing of products from raw material through finished goods, ensuring adherence to customer specifications, industry standards, and internal quality requirements. Optimize production processes in a mixed environment of legacy and modern machinery, including CNC equipment, semi-automated cells, and manual machines. Identify and eliminate production bottlenecks; improve throughput and overall process flow while maintaining high quality. Reduce scrap, rework, and unplanned downtime by strengthening process controls and employing problem-solving methods. Ensure standardized work, work instructions, and process documentation are developed, maintained, and consistently followed across all shifts and departments. Collaborate with engineering, quality and sales to introduce new products, processes, and equipment in a controlled and effective manner. Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement
Lead the development and deployment of a lean manufacturing culture throughout the plant, with an emphasis on employee involvement and ownership. Champion lean tools and methodologies such as 5S, value stream mapping, SMED, visual management, standardized work, Kaizen events, TPM, and root cause problem solving. Prioritize and manage a portfolio of continuous improvement projects that reduce waste, improve flow, and enhance safety, quality, and productivity. Train and coach managers, supervisors, and team leads in lean principles so they can independently lead improvement activities. Maintenance, Equipment Reliability & Facilities
Own and continuously improve the maintenance strategy for all manufacturing equipment, utilities, and support systems. Implement and oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs to minimize unplanned downtime and extend equipment life, particularly in a facility with both older and newer machines. Coordinate with maintenance leadership to ensure proper staffing, training, and scheduling of maintenance activities across all three shifts. Prioritize and manage capital equipment projects, including evaluation, justification, selection, installation, and start-up of new or replacement equipment. Ensure that all plant facilities and grounds—including buildings, parking areas, lighting, landscaping, and common areas—are maintained in a clean, safe, and professional condition. Manage outside contractors and service providers for facilities and grounds work as needed, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory Compliance
Promote a strong safety culture and visible safety leadership, ensuring that safety is treated as a core value and integrated into all manufacturing decisions. Ensure compliance with OSHA and other applicable safety and environmental regulations, as well as company policies and procedures. Ensure consistent use of required PPE and safe work practices by all employees and contractors. Quality & Customer Focus
Partner with Quality leadership to maintain and continuously improve the plant’s quality management system and applicable certifications (ISO, IATF). Ensure manufacturing processes produce consistent, defect-free product that meet or exceed customer performance and reliability expectations. Support customer visits, audits, product launches, and problem-resolution activities, representing the manufacturing organization professionally and effectively. Promote ‘quality at the source’ by integrating mistake-proofing, robust process controls, and standardized work into every manufacturing operation. Use data-driven methods (e.g., SPC, trend analysis, Pareto analysis) to identify quality issues and drive root cause corrective actions. Labor Relations & People Leadership
Lead, develop, and mentor manufacturing leadership, supervisors, and support staff across all shifts to build a strong, capable, and engaged organization. Work collaboratively with union leadership to maintain constructive labor relations, including regular communication, joint problem solving, and respect for the collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Participate in contract negotiations, grievance procedures, and other union-related processes as required. Ensure fairness, consistency, and transparency in the application of policies, work rules, and discipline. Promote employee engagement through effective communication, recognition, and involvement in continuous improvement activities. Ensure appropriate training, cross-training, and skills development programs are in place for operators, maintenance personnel, and team leaders on all shifts. Financial & Strategic Management
Monitor and analyze manufacturing performance and financial results; identify trends, opportunities, and risks, and implement corrective actions when needed. Lead cost reduction initiatives focused on improving efficiency, reducing waste, and optimizing material usage without compromising safety or quality. Participate in strategic planning and long-term capacity planning for the facility, including capital investment planning and footprint optimization. Provide input on pricing, make/buy decisions, and sourcing strategies from a manufacturing capability and cost perspective. Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Management, Business, or a related field required. Master’s degree (MBA or related discipline) preferred. Experience
Minimum of 10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a regulated machining manufacturing environment. Experience with automotive OEM is strongly preferred. Experience in a mid-size, multi-shift manufacturing facility with a union workforce is strongly preferred. Demonstrated success implementing lean manufacturing and continuous improvement with measurable, sustainable results. Proven experience overseeing plant maintenance, facilities, and grounds, particularly in a setting with both older legacy equipment and modern technology. Strong leadership presence with the ability to set direction, influence others, and drive accountability at all levels of the organization. Deep understanding of lean manufacturing principles, maintenance strategies (preventive, predictive, TPM), and problem-solving methodologies. Effective in a union environment, with a track record of building constructive, trust-based relationships with union leadership. Data-driven, analytical problem-solver with strong business acumen and financial understanding. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate effectively with shop-floor employees, peers, senior leadership, and customers. Hands-on, results-oriented leader comfortable with frequent presence on the manufacturing floor. Strong commitment to safety, quality, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement. Working Conditions
Primarily on-site role in a manufacturing facility with frequent presence on the shop floor around machining equipment, noise, and industrial materials. Must be able to support all three shifts as needed, including occasional early morning, evening, or weekend presence. Occasional travel to customers, suppliers, and corporate locations.
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