Production Shift Manager General Assembly

We are seeking a driven and experienced Production Shift Manager for our General Assembly (GA) Shop. This role will oversee day-to-day GA operations during assigned shifts, ensuring the successful execution of production plans, the highest standards of quality, and the safety of all team members. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership, a background in high-volume automotive environments, and a passion for continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

1. Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, coach, and develop production teams to ensure strong execution and ownership.
• Promote a high-performance, safety-first culture with accountability and engagement at all levels.
• Plan workforce requirements and skill development for production, technical, and support teams.

2. Operational Oversight and Execution

• Manage all aspects of GA production activities including line readiness, production planning, pace management, and operator training.
• Ensure production KPIs (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Morale) are met.
• Oversee execution of production trials, torque integrity validation, and process control implementation.

3. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Material Planning, and Launch Program teams to achieve production team deliverables.
• Support change management related to 5M updates, and process improvements.

4. Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement

• Lead structured problem-solving efforts to address operational and quality issues.
• Drive corrective actions, monitor effectiveness, and prevent recurrence of production disruptions.
• Foster a culture of root cause analysis and operational excellence.

5. Quality and Process Assurance

• Ensure GA process controls, standard work, and built-in quality systems are in place and followed.
• Partner with Quality and Engineering to ensure vehicle build quality meets all compliance and customer requirements.

6. Resource and Material Management

• Collaborate with Material Flow and Logistics to confirm material readiness, kitting accuracy, and line-side delivery.
• Review staffing, equipment, and space needs to support efficient operations and timely build execution.

7. Performance Reporting and Operational Reviews

• Provide regular updates to leadership on GA shop production status, and perform escalations when needed.
• Analyze production data to identify trends, variances, and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead readiness reviews and support governance meetings with data-backed insights and action plans.

Skills

• Proven track record in managing production in GA shops with advanced automation and safety-critical processes.
• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Deep understanding of GA-specific technologies, torque applications, process validation, and quality control systems.
• Proficiency in lean manufacturing, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement tools.
• Flexibility to support shift coverage and weekend work during key launch phases.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Automotive Engineering (Master’s preferred).
• At least 8 years of experience in automotive manufacturing at a leading OEM, with significant exposure to General Assembly operations and vehicle launches.