A major U.S. lithium-ion battery manufacturer—operating at the center of the domestic EV and energy storage supply chain—is appointing a Director of Plant Operations to lead two critical Michigan sites through their next phase of growth.

These facilities are expanding rapidly and play a pivotal role in strengthening North America’s clean energy manufacturing base. The organisation now requires a leader who can operate across both locations with authority, discipline, and a clear understanding of what excellence in high-volume, high-pressure manufacturing truly looks like.

This role combines operational leadership, cross-functional coordination, community representation, and the responsibility to set standards that shape the long-term success of both sites.

The Role

You will act as the central point of alignment across Lansing and Holland—ensuring operational consistency, safety, culture, and communication stay tight as the business scales. From external affairs to continuous improvement to labour strategy, you’ll have one of the broadest remits in the organisation.

Your work spans strategic planning and daily plant reality:

the boardroom conversations that define direction, and the line-side walkthroughs that ensure discipline.

Key Responsibilities

External Affairs

• Represent the organisation to local and state officials, public agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Communicate on behalf of senior leadership with clarity, authority, and strategic intent.
• Develop proactive/reactive communications around plant activity, operations, and public interest matters.
• Participate in North America–level discussions on external affairs and communications strategy.

Corporate Affairs

• Lead short- and long-term operational planning connected to facilities, employee services, and administration.
• Oversee facility management, vendor relationships, dining and janitorial services, and overall site environment.
• Manage mobility and support for expats, including vehicles, devices, and visa processes.

Production Innovation

• Drive Lean Six Sigma discipline through structured audits, controls, and improvement activity.
• Embed DMAIC as a cultural expectation across both sites.
• Eliminate waste, optimise workflows, and elevate efficiency standards.
• Maintain strict adherence to 5S3R principles across plant areas.

Environment, Health & Safety

• Lead site safety in coordination with the North American EH&S organisation.
• Ensure full compliance with OSHA, state, federal, and internal safety standards.
• Oversee site-wide EH&S programs and ensure rigorous reporting and communication.
• Build a proactive, engaged safety culture that reduces risk and prevents incidents.

Employee & Labor Relations

• Develop and execute a comprehensive labour relations strategy that protects a pro-employer environment.
• Partner with HR and Legal on investigations, grievances, and sensitive cases.
• Build leadership capability and ensure a strong pipeline of future talent.
• Maintain a culture of communication, accountability, and operational discipline.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering or related field (MBA/MS preferred).
• 10–15+ years leading plant operations within a large manufacturing environment.
• 7+ years managing multiple processes or departments.
• Significant experience in employee relations and labour strategy (hourly workforce experience preferred).
• Clear, confident communication across all levels—internal and external.
• Strong organisational discipline and comfort operating across two major sites.
• Flexibility to support both local operations and coordination with global teams.

Future Scope

As next-generation battery manufacturing evolves, this role will expand further into advanced operational leadership. The ideal candidate is someone able to transition from conventional manufacturing experience into the realities of modern, highly automated, high-precision production environments.

A major U.S. lithium-ion battery manufacturer—operating at the center of the domestic EV and energy storage supply chain—is appointing a Director of Plant Operations to lead two critical Michigan sites through their next phase of growth.

These facilities are expanding rapidly and play a pivotal role in strengthening North America’s clean energy manufacturing base. The organisation now requires a leader who can operate across both locations with authority, discipline, and a clear understanding of what excellence in high-volume, high-pressure manufacturing truly looks like.

This role combines operational leadership, cross-functional coordination, community representation, and the responsibility to set standards that shape the long-term success of both sites.

The Role

You will act as the central point of alignment across Lansing and Holland—ensuring operational consistency, safety, culture, and communication stay tight as the business scales. From external affairs to continuous improvement to labour strategy, you’ll have one of the broadest remits in the organisation.

Your work spans strategic planning and daily plant reality:

the boardroom conversations that define direction, and the line-side walkthroughs that ensure discipline.

Key Responsibilities

External Affairs

• Represent the organisation to local and state officials, public agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Communicate on behalf of senior leadership with clarity, authority, and strategic intent.
• Develop proactive/reactive communications around plant activity, operations, and public interest matters.
• Participate in North America–level discussions on external affairs and communications strategy.

Corporate Affairs

• Lead short- and long-term operational planning connected to facilities, employee services, and administration.
• Oversee facility management, vendor relationships, dining and janitorial services, and overall site environment.
• Manage mobility and support for expats, including vehicles, devices, and visa processes.

Production Innovation

• Drive Lean Six Sigma discipline through structured audits, controls, and improvement activity.
• Embed DMAIC as a cultural expectation across both sites.
• Eliminate waste, optimise workflows, and elevate efficiency standards.
• Maintain strict adherence to 5S3R principles across plant areas.

Environment, Health & Safety

• Lead site safety in coordination with the North American EH&S organisation.
• Ensure full compliance with OSHA, state, federal, and internal safety standards.
• Oversee site-wide EH&S programs and ensure rigorous reporting and communication.
• Build a proactive, engaged safety culture that reduces risk and prevents incidents.

Employee & Labor Relations

• Develop and execute a comprehensive labour relations strategy that protects a pro-employer environment.
• Partner with HR and Legal on investigations, grievances, and sensitive cases.
• Build leadership capability and ensure a strong pipeline of future talent.
• Maintain a culture of communication, accountability, and operational discipline.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering or related field (MBA/MS preferred).
• 10–15+ years leading plant operations within a large manufacturing environment.
• 7+ years managing multiple processes or departments.
• Significant experience in employee relations and labour strategy (hourly workforce experience preferred).
• Clear, confident communication across all levels—internal and external.
• Strong organisational discipline and comfort operating across two major sites.
• Flexibility to support both local operations and coordination with global teams.

Future Scope

As next-generation battery manufacturing evolves, this role will expand further into advanced operational leadership. The ideal candidate is someone able to transition from conventional manufacturing experience into the realities of modern, highly automated, high-precision production environments.