General Manager. for the Columbus Ohio. Wheel plant

About the role

Direct the plant's manufacturing operations to produce cast steel rail car wheel, responsible for overall financial performance of plant operations (excluding sales) and implementation and management of the continuous improvement programs. Implements new materials processes and procedures to improve quality, increase efficiency and reduce costs. Assist with the formulation of manufacturing plant's objectives and development of manufacturing capital projects and budgets. Supervise the following functions: operations, lean, materials, quality, human resources and finance.

Dimensions

• Annual Sales Volume: $15–50 Million
• Personnel: Salaried – 40–50 (9 direct reports); Hourly – up to 200

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize and direct the manufacturing facility, with optimum cost effectiveness to assure the timely production of steel wheels.
• Direct the timely maintenance of equipment, buildings and facilities to preserve the assets and insure optimum operating efficiency.
• Assure the development and implementation of equipment and building design changes to improve operating conditions, minimize defective rates and provide optimum return on investment.
• Insure the plant's compliance with local, state and federal regulations in safety, hygiene, environmental and human resource areas.
• Select, develop and motivate a competent supervisory staff to assure an efficient and cost effective operation that will meet production objectives.
• Direct the development and implementation of safety and pollution control programs to comply with governmental regulations.
• Direct preparation of operating and capital expenditure budgets and operate the plant within established budgets.
• Keep the Vice President–Manufacturing informed about the Plant’s operations on a timely, periodic basis to assist in total planning for future production facilities.
• Create and maintain positive morale by facilitating productive and harmonious employee relations among salaried and hourly personnel to assure reasonable and equitable solutions during grievance procedures and contract negotiations.
• Consult Technical Services Department on equipment replacement, equipment modification and equipment changeover.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Operations or related discipline.
• 7–10 years of experience supervising in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with EAF furnaces, tooling, Quality Control (including SPC), Safety, maintenance, capital project management and foundry metallurgy.
• Excellent communication, leadership and organizational skills.
• Problem solving and reasoning ability to identify the pros and cons of available solutions.
• Effective communication and active listening skills.
• Intermediate level of proficiency with computers.

Reporting structure & key challenges

The General Manager reports to the Vice President–Manufacturing. Direct reports include the Operations Manager; Manager, Human Resources; Safety Manager; Plant Controller; Quality Manager; Materials Manager and Maintenance Manager. The General Manager is accountable for all functions within the facility.

• Develops operating and capital expenditure budgets; develops a long‑range plan; establishes casting rate objectives.
• Participates in grievance procedures and arbitrations.
• Studies and analyzes production methods, standards, manpower, equipment and facilities to improve manufacturing operations.
• Operates within established budgets, objectives, Company policies and procedures, and OSHA guidelines.
• Submits weekly production report with statistics and labor relations report to the General Office, plus a control report of actual results versus plan.
• Works with Sales Department on production scheduling and manufacturing problems affecting delivery dates.
• Consults with Plant Controller on production costs and profit and loss statements.
• Works with Purchasing Department on availability, pricing, and delivery of scrap and other production materials.
• Coordinates engineering projects and timetables with Engineering Department.
• Works with Director, Human Resources and staff on hiring procedures, employee and labor relation policies, grievance procedures and contract negotiations.
• Consults with other Works Managers on similar problems and resolutions.

Working conditions

• Extremely light physical effort
• Unfavorable environment
• Moderate hazards