Managing Director, RFPC

About the role

As the Managing Director of Railroad Friction Products (RFPC), you will partner with a broad cross-functional leadership team including Finance, HR, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, EHS, and IT. You will also engage regularly with Product Line leadership, corporate functions, customers, unions/social partners, and local regulatory authorities. This role sits within both the Friction & Rubber leadership team and the North America Transit Operations leadership team and plays a critical role in driving enterprise priorities at the site level.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead all aspects of site performance, including safety, quality, delivery, cost, and cash flow
• Ensure full compliance with EHS, regulatory, and certification requirements; serve as the primary interface with local authorities
• Establish and drive the operational strategy, translating business goals into executable plans across all site functions
• Lead daily operational reviews and performance management routines using KPIs to drive accountability and results
• Partner with Finance to develop, execute, and continuously monitor site financial plans, including budget, forecast, and variance recovery actions
• Own CAPEX planning and execution, ensuring investments drive productivity, safety, and growth outcomes
• Drive continuous improvement through lean methodologies, process optimization, and digital initiatives to improve efficiency and quality
• Ensure effective coordination and alignment across operations, engineering, maintenance, supply chain, and support functions
• Act as the senior escalation point for operational and customer issues, ensuring timely resolution and communication
• Build a high-performance culture by driving employee engagement, accountability, and leadership development
• Persistently partner with HR to lead talent strategy, succession planning, employee relations, and workforce planning
• Maintain strong external relationships with customers, suppliers, unions, and community stakeholders

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field (Master’s degree preferred)
• 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing or industrial operations, including multi-functional leadership at scale
• Proven experience with full P&L or site-level financial accountability (CAPEX, OPEX, budgeting, and forecasting)
• Deep expertise in EHS, regulatory compliance, and operational risk management
• Demonstrated track record driving operational excellence through lean transformation, continuous improvement, and digitalization
• Strong experience leading in matrix organizations and influencing senior stakeholders
• Exceptional leadership presence with the ability to drive engagement, performance, and cultural transformation
• Strong analytical and decision-making capabilities using KPI-driven performance management

Qualifications

• Frequent presence in a manufacturing/industrial environment with regular floor engagement
• Ability to observe operations, review processes, and interact directly with teams on the shop floor
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required
• Periodic travel to other sites, customer locations, and leadership meetings

Skills

• Strategic thinking and execution
• Operational excellence and continuous improvement
• Financial management and budgeting
• Regulatory compliance and risk management
• People leadership and engagement
• Collaboration and stakeholder management
• Lean methodologies and digital transformation

Benefits

• Health, welfare, and retirement benefits
• Annual bonus, if eligible

Pay

The salary range for this role is between $164,900 - $235,000 USD. The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors such as training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands, and work location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

Schedule

This position is site-based, but may include occasional work at other company locations or attendance at offsites, as agreed to with your manager.