Role Overview for VP, Manufacturing Excellence with an Industrial Supplier – Detroit, MI
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier, multi-billion-dollar industrial supplier in their search for a transformative Vice President of Manufacturing Excellence. Based in the heart of American manufacturing, Detroit, MI, this executive leadership role is a career-defining opportunity to shape the future of a company renowned for its quality, innovation, and market leadership. Our client is seeking a visionary and results-driven leader to spearhead a cultural and operational evolution across their entire North American manufacturing footprint.
As the VP of Manufacturing Excellence, you will be the chief architect and champion of the company’s continuous improvement strategy. You will report directly to the Chief Operating Officer and serve as a key member of the executive team, providing the strategic direction to achieve world-class operational performance. This is not just a role about incremental improvements; it is about fundamentally transforming how the organization thinks, operates, and executes.
You will be empowered to build a robust Operational Excellence (OpEx) system, instilling principles of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies deep into the company’s DNA. Your leadership will directly impact safety, quality, delivery, cost, and ultimately, profitability and shareholder value. You will be the catalyst for creating a sustainable competitive advantage by developing highly efficient, agile, and technologically advanced manufacturing operations that are the benchmark in the industry.
Key Responsibilities of VP, Manufacturing Excellence with an Industrial Supplier – Detroit, MI
The VP of Manufacturing Excellence will have a broad and impactful scope of responsibilities, including:
Strategic Development & Deployment
Design, develop, and implement a comprehensive, multi-year Manufacturing Excellence strategy that aligns with the company’s long-term business objectives. Create a clear roadmap for deploying continuous improvement initiatives across all manufacturing facilities.
Continuous Improvement (CI) Leadership
Act as the foremost expert and advocate for all CI activities. Champion the rigorous application of Lean tools and methodologies, including Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Kaizen events, 5S, Standard Work, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and Poka-Yoke.
Performance Management & KPI Enhancement
Establish, monitor, and drive improvement in key performance indicators (KPIs) across all plants. Focus on critical metrics such as Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), First Pass Yield (FPY), On-Time Delivery (OTD), Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR), and Cost Per Unit (CPU).
Quality Systems Integration
Collaborate with the VP of Quality to ensure the principles of manufacturing excellence are deeply integrated into the Quality Management System (QMS), driving a ‘zero-defect’ culture and ensuring compliance with standards such as IATF 16949.
Technology & Innovation Strategy
Lead the evaluation and implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies. Drive the company’s journey towards Industry 4.0 by championing automation, robotics, data analytics, and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) to enhance productivity and decision-making.
Talent Development & Mentorship
Build and lead a world-class team of OpEx professionals, including Black Belts and Lean Leaders. Develop a robust training and certification program to cultivate CI capabilities at all levels of the organization, from the shop floor to senior leadership.
Financial Oversight & ROI
Develop and manage the OpEx budget. Create compelling business cases for capital expenditures (CapEx) related to improvement projects, ensuring all initiatives deliver a strong and measurable return on investment (ROI).
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Foster strong partnerships with leaders in Supply Chain, Engineering, R&D, Finance, and Sales to ensure seamless integration of manufacturing strategies with broader business processes. Drive end-to-end process optimization.
Best Practice Standardization
Establish a framework for identifying and standardizing best practices across the plant network. Create a central repository of knowledge and a playbook for operational excellence that can be leveraged globally.
Requirements for the VP, Manufacturing Excellence with an Industrial Supplier – Detroit, MI
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned executive with a proven track record of transforming manufacturing organizations. The specific qualifications include:
Educational Background
A Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field is required. An MBA or other advanced degree is strongly preferred.
Executive Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations within a complex, high-volume industrial environment. At least 7 years of experience in a senior leadership capacity (e.g., Director, VP) with multi-site responsibility is essential.
CI Certification & Expertise
Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt or Black Belt is required. The candidate must demonstrate deep, hands-on expertise in deploying a wide array of Lean and Six Sigma tools in a practical, results-oriented manner.
Industry Acumen
Extensive experience in the industrial supply sector, with a strong preference for candidates from automotive (Tier 1 or Tier 2), heavy equipment, or aerospace manufacturing environments.
Technical Proficiency
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and translate it into actionable insights. Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and MES platforms is highly desirable.
Transformational Leadership
Must be a proven change agent with exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. The ability to influence and gain buy-in from stakeholders at all levels, from the boardroom to the plant floor, is critical.
Business & Financial Acumen
A strong understanding of financial statements, P&L management, budgeting, and capital planning. Must be able to articulate the financial impact of operational improvements clearly.
Logistics
Must be willing to be based in the greater Detroit, MI metropolitan area and travel up to 40% to various manufacturing sites across North America.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier executive talent and offers a comprehensive and highly competitive compensation package, including:
Executive Compensation
A highly competitive base salary commensurate with experience.
Incentive Programs
A lucrative annual performance-based bonus and a significant long-term incentive plan (LTIP) tied to company performance.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents, along with robust life and disability coverage.
Retirement Planning
A best-in-class 401(k) retirement savings plan with a generous company match.
Work-Life Balance
A generous paid time off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick days, and paid company holidays.
Professional Growth
A dedicated budget for executive coaching, industry conferences, and continuing education to support your professional development.
Relocation Support
A comprehensive, executive-level relocation package is available for the successful candidate and their family.
Executive Perks
Includes a company vehicle allowance and other perquisites befitting a senior executive role.
How to Apply
This is an exclusive search being conducted by JRG Partners. If you are a visionary manufacturing leader ready to make a lasting impact on a thriving organization, we invite you to apply. To be considered for this confidential opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and accomplishments.
JRG Partners specializes in placing top talent within high-growth industrial and manufacturing organizations. To learn more about our expertise and other opportunities, please visit the JRG Partners’ Industrial & Manufacturing Practice page.
Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
