Plant General Manager
Description
AP Emissions Technologies
As a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdings—which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway— you’ll be doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. We’re committed to making a positive impact on the world, providing you with diverse learning and working opportunities, and fostering a culture where everyone’s empowered to be their best.
Who We Are
AP Emissions Technologies provides aftermarket emissions and exhaust solutions for all vehicle classes. With nearly a century of innovation and integrated manufacturing expertise , AP delivers OEM-quality performance, regulatory compliance, and broad product coverage to customers worldwide.
What You’ll Do
As the Plant General Manager, you will serve as the on-site executive leader for AP Emissions Technologies' new 208,000-square-foot facility in Apex, North Carolina. You will lead the site's start-up, production ramp-up, and long-term operational performance across manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, automation, supply chain, quality, logistics , EHS, and people development.
This is a high-impact leadership role with end-to-end accountability for site performance, from facility commissioning and team development through customer-ready production and shipment. You will establish the operating foundation for a new manufacturing facility while building a high-performing team and delivering on safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and financial objectives .
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
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Lead and develop cross-functional teams across production, engineering, maintenance, automation, supply chain, quality, logistics , and EHS
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Establish organizational structure, clear accountability, performance expectations, and site governance
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Build manufacturing career paths, succession plans, mentoring programs, and performance management practices
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Establish a safety-first, continuous-improvement culture across all shifts
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Lead manufacturing operations for cordierite ceramic substrate production, automated DPF/DOC/TWC catalyst coating, and automated substrate encapsulation
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Develop and execute production, staffing, resource allocation, capacity, and ramp-up plans to meet customer demand
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Own site performance across key metrics including output, OEE, on-time delivery, scrap, yield, conversion cost, inventory, and quality
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Apply Lean and continuous-improvement methodologies to eliminate bottlenecks, reduce waste, and improve throughput
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Partner with R&D and technical teams to transition products from laboratory and pilot stages into stable, scalable mass production
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Lead engineering and maintenance strategy, including equipment lifecycle management, commissioning, capital projects, retrofits, and process improvements
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Improve equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime across production assets and plant utilities
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Partner with automation and process teams to stabilize manufacturing systems and establish standard work
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Own site environmental, health, and safety performance and compliance with OSHA, North Carolina requirements, and corporate standards
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Lead supply chain, inventory control, warehousing, material receipt, and finished-goods logistics
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Mitigate supply risks associated with ceramics, washcoat materials, and precious-metal-related inputs
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Own the site operating budget and financial performance across labor, energy, materials, overhead, and conversion costs
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Lead cost-reduction, value engineering, yield improvement, and waste-reduction initiatives
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Monitor performance against budget, identify variances, and communicate results, risks, and mitigation plans to the Division President
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Serve as the primary site contact for regulators, authorities, key suppliers, and visiting OEM and industrial customers
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Partner with division and technical leadership on capital projects, process scale-up, new product readiness, customer delivery, and quality initiatives
Cross-Functional Partners
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Division and corporate leadership
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Production, engineering, maintenance, automation, and technical teams
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Supply chain, logistics , and quality teams
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R&D and product development
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EHS and human resources
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OEM and industrial customers
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Key suppliers, regulators, and external partners
Ownership
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End-to-end operational and financial performance of the Apex facility
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Plant start-up, production ramp-up, and long-term manufacturing performance
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Safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost performance
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Organizational development, talent management, and succession planning
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Manufacturing capacity, equipment reliability, and operational readiness
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Regulatory, environmental, and corporate compliance
Project Work
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Lead the commissioning and start-up of the new 208,000-square-foot manufacturing facility
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Develop and execute production ramp-up and capacity expansion plans
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Lead equipment commissioning, capital projects, retrofits, and process improvements
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Support new product launches and transition products from pilot production to full-scale manufacturing
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Implement Lean and continuous-improvement initiatives to improve yield, throughput, and cost
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Develop and implement systems, processes, and standard work to support scalable plant operations
What You’ll Need
Education & Experience
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Bachelor's degree in Engineering , Materials Science, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline required ; MBA preferred
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10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in U.S.-based heavy or advanced manufacturing
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At least 5 years of experience as a Plant Manager or equivalent senior site leader
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Demonstrated experience leading a greenfield or brownfield plant start-up and production ramp-up
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Experience in chemical manufacturing, automotive components, emissions manufacturing, or a closely related industry
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Experience leading large, cross-functional organizations spanning production, maintenance, quality, supply chain, and EHS
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Proven accountability for multimillion-dollar operating and capital budgets
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Demonstrated success delivering improvements in cost, yield, productivity, and operational performance
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Experience with automotive quality systems such as IATF 16949 and OEM manufacturing expectations preferred
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Lean or Six Sigma certification, PMP, or other formal project-management credential preferred
Technical Knowledge
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Strong knowledge of Lean manufacturing and continuous-improvement methodologies
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Deep understanding of high-volume, automated manufacturing environments
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Working knowledge of manufacturing quality systems and automotive OEM expectations
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Understanding of U.S. manufacturing regulations, OSHA requirements, and North Carolina environmental and safety requirements
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Experience with ERP/MES systems, operational reporting, budgeting, and data analysis
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Strong understanding of manufacturing engineering, automation, equipment reliability, and plant maintenance
Hard Skills
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Plant operations and manufacturing leadership
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Greenfield/brownfield facility start-up and production ramp-up
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Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement
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Budget and P&L management
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Capital planning and project execution
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Manufacturing engineering and automation
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Supply chain and inventory management
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Quality systems and regulatory compliance
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Operational KPI management and data analysis
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Talent development and organizational design
Soft Skills
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Strong business acumen and results-oriented mindset
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Ability to build, develop, and inspire large, diverse manufacturing teams
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Data-driven decision-making and sound operational judgment
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Ability to balance safety, quality, delivery, and cost priorities
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Strong communication , presentation, and stakeholder-management skills
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Hands-on leadership style with a strong presence on the shop floor
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Ability to make effective decisions in a fast-paced, ambiguous start-up environment
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