Executive Managing Director - Automotive Manufacturing

About the Role

This is a rare opportunity to step into full ownership of an established, privately held manufacturer with a proven customer base in the automotive sector. The incoming Executive Managing Director will have genuine authority to shape strategy, build the team, and improve business operations. You will work directly with collaborative and commercially experienced ownership, who seek a leader to take day-to-day responsibility and drive performance with conviction.

Responsibilities

• Strategy and Growth
  • Set the strategic direction for the business in partnership with ownership and build the operating plan to deliver it.
  • Identify and pursue growth opportunities, deeper penetration of existing accounts, new customer acquisition, and adjacent market expansion.
  • Develop and own the annual business plan, budget, and multi-year outlook.
  • Monitor competitive dynamics and customer trends in the automotive supply chain and adjust positioning accordingly.
• Financial Performance and Reporting
  • Own the full P&L, revenue, cost structure, margin, working capital, and cash flow.
  • Drive improvements in profitability through operational efficiency and commercial discipline.
  • Review and approve capital expenditure requests and manage investment priorities.
  • Maintain a close understanding of cost drivers and pricing dynamics across the business.
  • Provide clear, timely, and accurate financial and operational reporting to ownership.
  • Identify early warning signs in the numbers and act before problems compound.
• Operations and Production
  • Take personal responsibility for operational performance, quality, throughput, on-time delivery, and cost per unit.
  • Conduct regular walkthroughs of the production environment and maintain visibility into floor operations.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including waste reduction, cycle time, and yield optimization.
  • Oversee capacity planning and ensure the operation is sized appropriately for current demand and near-term growth.
  • Own the health and safety culture of the site, setting expectations, monitoring compliance, and modeling standards.
  • Manage supplier relationships to support production reliability and cost targets.
• Commercial and Customer Relationships
  • Serve as the senior commercial face of the business with key automotive customers.
  • Lead or actively support contract negotiations, renewals, and new business pitches.
  • Resolve escalated customer issues with a focus on long-term relationship health.
  • Build a clear pipeline of new business opportunities and hold the commercial team accountable for execution.
  • Ensure customer satisfaction metrics are tracked, reviewed, and acted upon consistently.
• Leadership, People, and Culture
  • Lead, develop, and hold accountable a senior leadership team spanning operations, finance, commercial, and support functions.
  • Establish clear performance expectations for every direct report and conduct regular, structured performance conversations.
  • Identify capability gaps and address them through development, recruitment, or restructuring.
  • Build a culture of accountability, transparency, and high performance throughout the organization.
  • Align workforce planning with operational needs and business growth ambitions.
  • Prioritize employee engagement and retention as key business objectives.
• Governance and Ownership Interface
  • Act as the primary point of contact between the business and its ownership group.
  • Prepare and present regular business reviews covering financial performance, operational status, commercial pipeline, and strategic progress.
  • Surface material risks proactively and bring recommended courses of action.
  • Ensure the business operates with appropriate controls, compliance, and governance standards.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in a senior leadership role (CEO, MD, GM, or equivalent) with full P&L accountability in a manufacturing environment.
• A clear track record of improving operating and financial performance, not just maintaining it.
• Experience in automotive, tier-1/tier-2 supply, or a closely adjacent manufacturing sector.
• A hands-on, execution-oriented leadership style; someone who sets direction and ensures it happens.
• Strong commercial instincts and comfort managing customer relationships at a senior level.
• Financial literacy sufficient to own a P&L with confidence, interpret management accounts, and make sound capital allocation decisions.
• The credibility and communication skills to work effectively with a private ownership group.

Benefits

• Base Salary: $375k - $425k per year + bonus.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Relocation assistance.