Manager, Powertrain Production Operations

Position Overview

The Manager, Powertrain Production Operations owns end-to-end 24/7 production execution across AMP-2 Powertrain — covering both Drive Unit and HV Battery assembly shops. Joining a greenfield facility, this leader establishes the entire production organization from scratch: recruiting and developing all shifts employees, embedding shift routines, and driving performance from first commissioning through volume ramp-up to and beyond SOP. The role is accountable for Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People. The role operates through disciplined change control, objective launch evidence, cross-functional problem solving, and structured transfer of technical ownership to the Saudi workforce.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Production Leadership

• Own 24/7 production execution for DU and HV Battery assembly shops across all shifts
• Deliver committed production volume, OEE, FPY, and cost-per-unit targets aligned to AMP-2 business plan
• Own operational budget including labor, overtime, consumables, and conversion cost performance
• Build the production organization from ground up: shift managers, supervisors, team leads, operators

Launch Governance & Ramp-Up

• Own Safe Launch, run-at-rate, and capacity verification governance through SOP and volume ramp
• Chair Launch Readiness Reviews, Layered Process Audits, and Process Confirmation routines
• Lead QRQC / War Room escalation during launch and ramp-up phases
• Ensure operational readiness for future powertrain variants and product introductions

Operational Excellence & KPI Ownership

• Define, cascade, and govern production KPIs — Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People and Environment (SQDCPE)
• Lead tiered accountability (Tier 1–3) daily management routines across the Powertrain shop
• Drive structured problem-solving and QRQC closure for chronic and acute production issues
• Own S&OP execution interface with Supply Chain, Quality, and Engineering functions

HV Safety & Compliance

• Enforce HV LOTO, HVIL continuity, and mandatory HV PPE for all work on or near EV Powertrain equipment
• Comply with SASO, Saudi MOL, IEC 60204, and functional safety standards (ISO 13849 / IEC 62061)
• Support HV emergency response including thermal runaway isolation and battery-related incident procedures
• Achieve and maintain HV safety competency appropriate to scope of work

Continuous Improvement & Culture

• Champion Lucid Production System principles: Standardized Work, Kaizen, VSM, cost-per-unit reduction
• Establish a safety-first, quality-obsessed, high-performance culture across the Powertrain shop
• Sponsor CI projects targeting cycle time, FPY, OEE, and conversion cost improvement

Enterprise Operations, Governance & Financial Leadership

• Establish the Powertrain operating system, organization design, shift model, span of control, competency architecture and escalation model for 24/7 DU and Battery operations.
• Own annual operating plan, manpower, conversion cost, overtime, consumables and productivity roadmap; present risks, tradeoffs and recovery actions to executive leadership.
• Govern S&OP execution, production control, capacity, material constraints, quality containment and technical support priorities across functions.
• Build succession, engagement, performance and Saudization plans for the full production organization; hold leaders accountable for measurable capability transfer.

Launch Governance, Change Control & Operational Readiness

• Support FAT/SAT, commissioning, equipment acceptance, Safe Launch, run-at-rate and capacity verification with objective evidence and disciplined punch-list closure.
• Control production, process, software and test changes through documented risk assessment, approvals, validation, revision history and rollback or containment planning.
• Participate in readiness reviews, Layered Process Audits, Process Confirmation and QRQC/RCCA; close assigned actions with verified effectiveness.

Safety, Quality, Data Integrity & Compliance

• Apply role-specific HV LOTO/HVIL, machine safety, stored-energy isolation, electrical safe-work and PPE requirements; never bypass safety devices or product protections.
• Protect product genealogy, calibrated-tool status, test/measurement integrity, document control and audit-ready objective evidence.
• Comply with applicable AMP-2, SASO, Saudi labor/EHS, IATF 16949, IEC 60204 and functional-safety requirements within assigned scope.

Saudization, Capability Transfer & Collaboration

• Build work force and Saudi nationals capability through structured OJT, ILU/skills matrices, practical assessment, certification, cross-training and documented knowledge transfer.
• Create technical standards, troubleshooting guides and training material.
• Collaborate across Production, Quality, Maintenance, Automation/Robotics, Manufacturing Engineering, EHS, IT/OT, MES, Supply Chain, Product Engineering and suppliers.

Skills

• Executive presence with strong analytical, negotiation, and cross-functional influencing capabilities
• Proven ability to build, scale, and lead large multicultural manufacturing organizations
• Deep operational excellence and Lucid Production System / Lean / TPS mindset
• Strong financial acumen: budget ownership, conversion cost, labor efficiency
• Passion for talent development and capability building
• Technical standards, structured problem solving, risk-based decision making and controlled documentation
• Data literacy: KPI definition, trend analysis, evidence-based validation and clear executive/shop-floor communication
• Cross-functional influence, supplier coordination and disciplined ownership in a greenfield launch environment
• Coaching, competency assessment and knowledge transfer in a multicultural English/Arabic workplace

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, or related manufacturing discipline; Master's / MBA preferred
• 10+ years in automotive/EV manufacturing with minimum 5 years in senior production leadership
• Demonstrated large-scale production leadership (150+ employees) in an OEM or Tier-1 environment
• Proven greenfield launch and volume ramp experience (EV Powertrain strongly preferred)
• Strong track record delivering SQDCPE performance under IATF 16949 framework
• Fluent in English; Arabic strongly preferred
• Preferred: EV OEM experience; Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt; SAP/MES fluency
• Demonstrated experience with commissioning, FAT/SAT, launch, production readiness or high-volume manufacturing ramp within the role discipline
• Working knowledge of IATF 16949, APQP/change control, machine/HV safety and traceability requirements applicable to the role