Material Execution Plant Lead

About this role

Job Description Lean Material Strategies Execution Lead Location: Fort Wayne Assembly Plant (GA shop) 

At General Motors, our product teams are redefining mobility. Through a human-centered design process, we create vehicles and experiences that are designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. We’re turning today’s impossible into tomorrow’s standard —from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design, intelligent software, and next-generation safety and entertainment features.  

Every day, our products move millions of people as we aim to make driving safer, smarter, and more connected, shaping the future of transportation on a global scale.

The Role As the Lean Material Strategies Execution Lead, you will own enterprise-wide execution of GM’s lean material strategy across GMNA assembly plants. This role is accountable for translating program intent into world-class material flow, scalable automation, and launch-ready execution from Contract Sign-Off (CSO) through Start of Regular Production (SORP). You will shape how material moves through the plant, how automation is deployed, and how lineside delivery is standardized to improve safety, labor efficiency, space utilization, and operational performance. Your leadership will directly influence launch success, plant readiness, and GM’s ability to scale a consistent, high-performing material system across the enterprise.

What You’ll Do • Lead end-to-end material execution for new vehicle programs from CSO through SORP, ensuring lean, launch-ready material flow across GMNA assembly plants • Develop & track to Master Dot milestones & Deliverables • Define and implement enterprise material flow strategies and automation roadmaps, including ASRS, AMR/AME, LMS, and other advanced material technologies • Drive implementation of best practices.  Integrate Lean Manufacturing and GM-Global Manufacturing System (GMS) principles • Drive cross-functional execution across Engineering, Supply Chain, IT, Controls, Program Teams, and Plant Launch Teams to ensure alignment, speed, and accountability • Develop and maintain 2D/3D material flow and LMS layouts for General Assembly four-walls and onsite logistics centers (LOCs), optimizing footprint, flow, and presentation • Lead critical analytics including Distance/Density Per Part (DPP), Part Number (DPPn), and PFEP updates to support changing program requirements and improve material efficiency • Build material execution plans that define investment strategy, storage capacity, routing logic, and lineside presentation for each program • Partner with IT and Controls to deploy, validate, and integrate automation systems that enable stable, scalable material operations • Establish and manage execution checkbooks, benefit trackers, and standardized performance metrics to measure impact and drive continuous improvement across plants • Conduct layout deep dives and station-by-station reviews to ensure material flow decisions support safety, ergonomics, labor efficiency, and operational excellence • Develop Statements of Requirements, onboard suppliers, and lead procurement and installation coordination for LMS and automation systems • Own onsite launch readiness, direct contract IE resources, and lead issue resolution through IVER, PTB, and assembly builds to protect timing and performance targets

Why This Role Matters This is a high-visibility role with direct influence on launch execution, capital effectiveness, labor optimization, and enterprise standardization. Success in this position will enable GM to reduce complexity, improve material flow performance, accelerate automation adoption, and establish a stronger foundation for future manufacturing systems.

Required Qualifications • 5+ years of experience in material launch, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Supply Chain within assembly or high-volume manufacturing environments • Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, material flow design, and supply chain fundamentals • Experience leading launch execution and implementing lean material strategies in complex plant environments • Proficiency in AutoCAD, FactoryCAD, or equivalent layout and modeling tools • Demonstrated analytical capability and problem-solving skills in ambiguous, high-impact situations • Experience supporting automation deployment, LMS strategy, and material systems execution • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related technical field

Preferred Qualifications • Master’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field • Direct plant operations or launch experience in General Assembly • Experience leading cross-functional teams, managing major milestones, and communicating progress to senior leadership • Working knowledge of ASRS, AMR/AME, and material flow automation principles • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization

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GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc).

This role is categorized as onsite. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location on a full-time basis.

This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

 About GM Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us   We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our w

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