Operations Manager

Tool & Die Operations Manager

In pursuit of GM's vision of Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion , the Global Manufacturing Engineering team is transforming the Tool & Die business through advanced manufacturing technologies, innovation, and operational excellence.

As a Tool & Die Operations Manager, you will lead the execution of the business plan for Tool & Die Operations while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. You will provide strategic and operational leadership for Tool & Die Construction, Verification, and Quality organizations.

This position requires a multidisciplinary leadership approach encompassing people management, business planning, labor relations, financial management, technical operations, and innovation. Using independent judgment within the Global Manufacturing System (GMS), you will drive results in Safety, People, Quality, Responsiveness, Cost, and Environment (SPQRCE).

The successful candidate will lead through complex technical and organizational challenges, manage budgets and resources, develop future workforce capabilities, and advance innovative manufacturing solutions that support GM's long-term objectives.

Job Details:

• Lead salaried and UAW-represented skilled trades teams responsible for the construction, validation, and launch support of major sheet metal stamping dies, Body-in-White tooling, and advanced measurement technologies
• Provide leadership for safety, human resources, labor relations, environmental compliance, and operational performance.
• Optimize people, equipment, materials, and capital resources to achieve business objectives
• Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with plant and corporate goals
• Build organizational capability through employee development, succession planning, mentoring, and engagement
• Lead deployment of Global Manufacturing System (GMS) principles and support tooling readiness, vehicle launches, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Drive improvements in safety, quality, responsiveness, productivity, and cost
• Advance digital manufacturing through automation, artificial intelligence, and data-driven decision-making
• Build strong working relationships with employees, union leadership, engineering, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, safety, and other stakeholder
• Consistently administer National and Local Agreements between General Motors and the United Auto Workers
• Develop systems that prevent recurrence of known issues, improve process stability, and sustain operational excellence
• Manage operational and capital budgets, develop business cases, and deliver productivity and competitiveness improvements while meeting customer requirements
• Coach, mentor, and develop leaders and employees to strengthen accountability and business performance.

Key Requirements:

• Lead the plant's Workplace Safety System and continuously strengthen safety culture and performance throughout Operations.
• Partner with Human Resources and Labor Relations to lead talent planning, workforce development, employee engagement, recruiting, selection, labor negotiations, and joint leadership activities.
• Lead the deployment and execution of the plant's business plan and operational strategy within Operations.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, regulatory, and corporate requirements.
• Drive business results and continuous improvement in Safety, People, Quality, Responsiveness, Cost, and Environment (SPQRCE).
• Develop and execute Operations strategies supporting innovation, digital transformation, automation, and AI implementation.
• Lead transformational and disruptive innovation initiatives that improve Tool & Die competitiveness and manufacturing capability.
• Champion a Workplace of Choice culture through employee engagement, inclusion, recognition, leadership development, and continuous improvement.
• Drive competitiveness and operational excellence through the improvement paths established by National and Local Labor Agreements.
• Develop future workforce strategies including succession planning, skilled trades development, technical capability growth, and leadership pipeline development.
• Collaborate across Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, Product Development, Safety, Finance, and Labor Relations to achieve enterprise objectives.
• Influence stakeholders across multiple organizations and levels to align priorities, accelerate problem resolution, and deliver business results.
• Uphold GM's vision, values, and cultural behaviors while serving as a champion of NAETC's cultural transformation and leadership expectations.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Project Management Experience 10+ Years
• Manufacturing Process Experience 10+ Years
• Experience Working in a Manufacturing Setting 10+ Years
• Experience Managing Safety Practices / Risk 10+ Years
• Experience Building Teams 10+ Years
• Experience Managing Represented Employees 5+ Years
• Experience Working in Tool & Die business or related field 10+ Years