Lean Transformation Lead, Multi-Plant Operations (Automotive)

Shape What's Next at GKN Automotive

At GKN Automotive, we're redefining mobility through pioneering eDrive and driveline technologies. Innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence power everything we do. If you’re ready to lead tangible change and elevate performance across multiple manufacturing sites, this role is for you.

What a Week Could Look Like

You start by walking the shop floor, observing machining cells, talking with operators, and reviewing performance data. By midweek, you’re facilitating a Kaizen focused on line balancing and standard work. You close the week aligning two plants on a common process playbook, presenting the technical and financial case for improvements, and planning the next sprint to reduce changeovers currently in the 8–12 hour range.

Your Impact

• Unify and standardize processes across two manufacturing plants to strengthen stability and quality.
• Lead Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence initiatives that optimize throughput and reduce costs.
• Drive machining productivity gains and reduce changeover time from the 8–12 hour baseline.
• Apply Lean methods such as Kaizen events, line balancing, and standardization to accelerate results.
• Perform shop floor analyses to identify bottlenecks and propose data-backed solutions.
• Act as a hands-on leader who influences cross-functional teams and delivers measurable results.
• Communicate change with clear technical rationale and sound financial justification (including ROI).
• Collaborate broadly and support project management workstreams to sustain improvements.
• Travel up to 10% to coordinate across both plants.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or related).
• 10+ years in the automotive sector with direct experience in manufacturing assembly or machining.
• Demonstrated expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Operational Excellence Systems (OMS).
• Six Sigma certification (required).
• Proven results in cycle time optimization, changeover reduction, and overtime reduction.
• Experience with ePowertrain or driveline assembly/machining preferred.
• Project management experience; prior leadership in a manufacturing setting is a plus.
• Strong financial acumen to evaluate cost-saving initiatives and ROI.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Advanced English communication skills.

Soft Skills

• Confident, inclusive leadership and team development.
• Strategic and critical thinker with crisp decision-making.
• Performance-focused, resilient, and comfortable with ambiguity.
• Clear, persuasive communicator across levels and functions.

Your Toolkit

• Project Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Lean Manufacturing Principles
• Experience in a Manufacturing Environment