Job Dimensions:
The VP of Global Manufacturing for the HWS business unit will have direct responsibility for the global manufacturing organization, manufacturing support, operations planning, process excellence, capital engineering and process innovation. The leader will ensure world-class operational performance and drive high levels of customer satisfaction. They will be responsible for all direct manufacturing costs globally. They will lead a team of direct reports including leaders at each facility, a capital engineering and process innovation director and continuous improvement director. The VP will report to the President of the Howmet Wheel Systems business unit.
The VP will develop an operations strategy to meet HWS’s operating performance goals including:
- Strong leader that earns the respect of the teams and consistently raises the bar and has the energy to rally the teams. Connecting to diverse cultures globally but speaking the same language of Safety, Quality, and Productivity
- Lead organizational culture that adheres to Howmet’s values and processes, and fosters employee engagement
- Improve processes, controls and accountability across operations including supply and demand planning
- Deliver industry leading productivity, quality and delivery performance
- Drive profitable growth: Revenue, EBITDA, EBITDA %, and Return on Assets
- Drive execution for Howmet’s Environmental, Health and Safety objectives, processes and regulations
- Ensure manufacturing footprint and operational network optimizes capacities, total cost effectiveness and value to the customer
- Collaborate seamlessly with critical functions including commercial, finance, purchasing and supply chain
- Able to deliver results in a matrixed environment
- Work closely with the plant managers to build linkages, improve processes, and share best practices
- Drive continuous improvement culture change through collaboration and communication regarding best practices knowledge sharing, internal and external benchmarking, talent development, and hands-on leadership
- Monitor operational performance metrics and drives total productive maintenance initiatives
- Lead ongoing implementation of automated and digital manufacturing processes
- Ability to work constructively and effectively in a union environment and communicate clearly, credibly and timely to maintain union-free status at non-unionized facilities
- Ensure talent development and succession plans are in place
- The ability to set clear and challenging goals while committing the organization to improved performance, tenacious and accountable in driving results
They will lead the design and implementation of the business’ operations strategy, focusing on initiatives that will enhance safety, margins, improve reliability, headcount productivity, performance and delivered cost to serve in production, reliability, quality, transportation, working capital management, and process technology. A key goal will be to improve productivity through leveraging resources, processes, and tools. They will develop a people plan for the organization that supports the company’s objectives to develop a people-centric, agile, empowered team-oriented culture with aim to decrease absenteeism and turnover. Activities will include proactive management of talent and career development within the function, ensuring that current and future leaders can meet the challenges of the businesses and functions they serve and assure the organization is realizing its potential. The position will be based in Howmet’s corporate office in Cleveland, OH.
Key Relationships include President, Plant Managers, Regional VP/GMs (P&L Leaders), Site directors and operational employees across the enterprise, Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance.
Accountability Objectives
We are seeking an experienced Global Operations leader with a successful track record of operating manufacturing facilities. They will have spent a significant portion of his or her career in top manufacturing companies known for operational excellence. A strong, proven background implementing Lean Manufacturing initiatives to produce productivity savings and margin improvements is essential. They will set a high bar for integrity and performance, drive crisp operational and strategic plans and roll up their sleeves to get things done. Additionally, they will have a strong track record attracting, retaining, engaging and developing talent. Candidates must be problem solvers, enthusiastic about working with strong technical talent, and skilled at change management. They should be highly motivated self-starters comfortable operating independently and being held accountable for business performance.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
Collaborative leadership: This leader will have a strong track record as a people manager in the areas of team leadership and building organizational capabilities. The successful candidate will have built high performance and achievement-oriented teams that have delivered success. They will spend significant time with employees in the field and in other functions and will routinely solicit ideas, suggestions to arrive at a better solution while reinforcing the value of the team. The individual will empower people and groups to create a transparent and interactive culture, will hold them accountable for performance and will recognize and reward achievements appropriately. They will routinely provide specific behavioral feedback and create development plans to improve the talent base and succession plans.
Strong operations competence: The ideal candidate will have strong global experience leading multiple plants. They will have hands-on best in class manufacturing systems experience. The candidate will be experienced implementing significant manufacturing improvements specifically in support of broader growth initiatives. This includes the ability to create a highly flexible manufacturing model, high performing operation and developing fabrication and assembly capability based on customer need.
Strong critical thinking ability: The successful candidate will have with the capability of driving productivity and growth strategies into the manufacturing operations.
Strategic orientation: The successful candidate will have the experience in developing operations strategies and plans that incorporate competitive issues, trends in industry and external factors. Their planning experience will cover a broad range of markets and address the full range of organizational implications. They will understand how to integrate market and competitive trends and other issues into a coherent vision for change and link this vision into a series of initiatives and priorities that are compelling and logical.
Business results orientation: The successful candidate will have demonstrated the ability to deliver consistently outstanding operating and financial results. They will have introduced improvements to processes, operations, or practices throughout a large portion of their business and will be relentless in driving positive change. The candidate also will have created new approaches to existing problems that have had significant impact on their business and will have implemented world–class and leading-edge performance standards.
Financial literacy: The successful candidate will possess financial acumen, including understanding financial statements, ratios, and other indices for evaluating company performance. A strong grasp of the impact of business decisions on the balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement from GAAP, tax and cash basis will be required.
Performance and Personal Competencies:
Setting Strategy
- The ability to create and articulate an inspiring vision for the organization, not only for the areas they are directly responsible for, but the enterprise as a whole.
- The inclination to seek and analyze data from a variety of sources to support decisions and to align others with the organization's overall strategy.
- An entrepreneurial and creative approach to developing new, innovative ideas that will stretch the organization and push the boundaries within the industry.
- The ability to effectively balance the desire/need for broad change with an understanding of how much change the organization is capable of handling, to create realistic goals and implementation plans that are achievable and successful.
Executing for Results
- The ability to set clear and challenging goals while committing the organization to improved performance, tenacious and accountable in driving results.
- Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty; the ability to adapt nimbly and lead others through complex situations.
- A risk-taker who seeks data and input from others to foresee possible threats or unintended circumstances from decisions; someone who takes smart risks.
- A leader who is viewed by others as having a high degree of integrity and forethought in their approach to making decisions; the ability to act in a transparent and consistent manner while always taking into account what is best for the organization.
Leading Teams
- The ability to attract and recruit top talent, motivate the team, delegate effectively, celebrate diversity within the team, and manage performance; widely viewed as a strong developer of others.
- The ability to persevere in the face of challenges, and exhibit a steadfast resolve and relentless commitment to higher standards, which commands respect from followers.
- A leader who is self-reflective and aware of their own limitations; leads by example and drives the organization's performance with an attitude of continuous improvement by being open to feedback and self-improvement.
Relationships and Influence
- Naturally connects and builds strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.
- An ability to inspire trust and followership in others through compelling influence, powerful charisma, passion in their beliefs, and active drive.
- Encourages others to share the spotlight and visibly celebrates and supports the success of the team.
- Creates a sense of purpose/meaning for the team that generates followership beyond their own personality and engages others to the greater purpose for the organization as a whole.
Driving Sustainability
- Firmly believes that both sustainability and profit are in the organization’s best long-term interest.
- Integrates economic, societal, and environmental factors into a purpose-driven strategy, turning sustainability into a competitive advantage.
- Understands and incorporates viewpoints from all key stakeholders to drive decision making and share the benefits.
- Delivers breakthrough innovations and business models that create value for all stakeholders, continually challenging traditional approaches.
- Sets audacious business and sustainability goals, driving concerted action and investments, and stays the course in the face of setbacks or push-back from short-term oriented stakeholders
This position requires the following:
Basic Qualifications (Minimum):
- BS in Engineering or Business-related field from an accredited institution.
- Minimum 10 years of manufacturing experience; Minimum 5 years in operational leadership role
- Previous Role as Plant Manager
- Thorough knowledge of lean manufacturing and rapid improvement techniques.
- Experience leading at a global level and dealing with various cultures and locations
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Business
About Howmet Aerospace
Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $6.6 billion in revenue in 2023, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers’ success and making a positive impact on the world. To learn more about the way Howmet Aerospace Inc. is advancing the sustainability of our customers, markets, and communities where we operate, review the 2023 Environmental Social and Governance report at www.howmet.com/esg-report.
Follow: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Howmet is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
If you need assistance to complete your application due to a disability, please email TalentAcquisitionCoE_Howmet@howmet.com
Howmet Wheel System is sold under Alcoa® Wheels brand which is a global leader in the commercial transportation industry, renowned for inventing the forged aluminum wheel in 1948. With a steadfast commitment to advancing technology, Alcoa Wheels has achieved a 35% weight reduction of forged aluminum wheels since 1996. The newest wheel ULT36 weighs a mere 36 lbs. Alcoa Wheels delivers breakthrough solutions with proprietary alloy and surface treatment technologies such as Dura-Bright®, Dura-Flange®, and Dura-Black®. All its innovative efforts make trucks, trailers, and buses lighter, more fuel-efficient, durable, and visually striking. With a global presence and extensive manufacturing capabilities, Alcoa® Wheels is dedicated to leading the industry toward a greener and more prosperous future.