Assistant Director, Plant Operations

Why take a look?

Ready to raise your game? The Carlstar Group is the industry leader in the specialty tire and wheel market that offers the security of a large global company and the speed/ autonomy of a small company.

You are an up-and-coming engineering leader or production manager who has mastered the day-to-day management of operations and now youre ready to elevate to the next level.

Youll be a great fit if:

• You are a self-starter and enjoy a fast-paced, constantly evolving, manufacturing environment
• You can connect the dots between relevant data and what youre seeing take place in the production environment
• You are comfortable with risk and driving quick implementation of creative and innovative solutions
• You seek out challenging projects and assignments and see them as learning opportunities
• You demonstrate grit in overcoming setbacks or obstacles
• You have an insatiable hunger to continuously improve yourself and your organization

What you get:

• An exciting, face-paced environment
• The speed in which a Small-Large company pushes and supports changes
• Frequent interaction and support from company leadership
• Direct access to C-Suite leadership to help guide you through your career and work-related challenges
• Autonomy to grow and shape the future of the company
• Grooming and development for next level opportunities
• Interactions with industry-leading OEM manufacturers

Company Overview

With approximately $750 million in revenue, The Carlstar Group, LLC (Carlstar or the Company) is a leading producer of specialty tires, wheels, and assemblies for diverse end markets including: lawn & garden, construction, power sports (primarily all-terrain vehicle tires), trailers, and agriculture.

Carlstar (and its predecessor) have been in the engineered rubber products business for over 100 years and sells its products under many of the most recognized brand names in their respective market segments including Carlisle, ITP, and Cragar, among others. In addition, the Company has one of the broadest distribution channels and the largest installed bases within its served North American markets. The Company is a strategic supplier to leading OEMs such as John Deere, Polaris, Husqvarna, Stanley Black & Decker, and BRP, and is sole sourced on a number of their leading platforms. Approximately 59% of Carlstars revenue is derived from higher margin aftermarket sales, leveraging the Companys large installed base of OEM products. Carlstar has approximately 3,400 employees and operates four manufacturing facilities in both North America and China and twelve distribution centers.

Carlstar is engaged in serving lower volume, higher mix business where the Company must economically manage thousands of SKUs with low individual order quantities through a complex distribution network in a marketplace that highly values timely and accurate order fulfillment.

Through the implementation of efficient operational (enhanced SIOP, lean manufacturing, inventory planning, optimization of the distribution network, redesign and value engineering of compounds and products, improved process control, activity based costing, etc.) and intelligent commercial (dynamic pricing and material margin management, new product development, refined channel management, new account conquests, etc.) strategies, the company is targeting improving performance to over 12% EBITDA margins on substantially higher revenue over time. The company is on a very strong performance trajectory today.

To learn more about The Carlstar Group, please visit the companys web site: https://www.carlstargroup.com/.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Plant Operations will provide strategic operational oversight for all production operations with a team of 425+ employees in a high-volume manufacturing environment. This role operates at both the strategic and hands-on level, to oversee the day-to-day operations. Primary responsibilities will be centered on directly managing a portion of the plant (component assembly), increasing labor productivity plant-wide and improving First Time Yield plant-wide. Reporting to the Director of Plant Operations, the individual will serve as the right-hand to the Plant Director in the leadership of the facility.

Specific duties include overseeing policies, procedures, and processes designed to minimize costs and maximize production. Assist in managing production control and methods, maintenance, cost accounting, supply/logistics, distribution, manufacturing, and other tasks associated with plant management. Ensures that plant operations comply with the appropriate safety standards and regulations. Assists with the preparation and monitoring of plant budgets. Drafts reports regarding plant operations and maintenance. Ensures that organizational production expectations are met.

The Assistant Director of Plant Operations must demonstrate knowledge and expertise in their departmental discipline including Theory of Constraints, Lean and Six-sigma manufacturing principles, departmental strategy development and execution, and state-of-the-art departmental technology. The position requires excellent focus, high energy and enthusiasm, forward thinking, strong analytical capability, excellent problem solving, the ability to manage change, solid execution and a commitment to help the company meet financial objectives and exceed customer expectations.

Pivotal Experience & Expertise

Carlstar seeks an action-oriented, self-driven, proven operations leader, who has demonstrated the intellectual horsepower, energy and wherewithal to lead and transform a growing, dynamic business.

• The successful candidate will preferably bring foundational experience that includes tenure with an academy company, known for professional process, systems and resources, pairing this early experience with transformational executive leadership in the context of an upper middle market organization.
• Results-oriented leader, operating with a high sense of urgency and track record of transforming complex, high SKU count manufacturing organizations.
• Strong change management orientation, influencing and relationship-building skills are a must.
• Must also be comfortable interacting with the C-suite, strengthening collaboration across functions, and levels and fostering open, transparent, pithy and effective communications with all stakeholders.
• Experience in a dynamic, fast-moving and complex businesses is strongly preferred. S/he must be accustomed to operating in a flat organization where there is limited bureaucracy. While prior experience in the manufacturing of rubber products or in other process industries is desirable, it is not mandatory.
• Strong understanding of financial data and proven ability to design and implement process improvements
• An undergraduate degree, preferably in Business, Engineering or related field, is required. An MBA would be considered a plus.
• 5 to 7 years of manufacturing with experience, which preferably, includes multi-functional leadership responsibility.

Leadership Capabilities & Culture Fit

• Unquestionable integrity, ethics and judgment. The courage and ability to take a strong position when required for the good of the Company.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills. The ability to be collaborative and drive progress and the ability to translate complex business and operational issues in terms readily understandable to a broad audience.
• Highly intelligent and analytical, possessing the intellectual curiosity to probe and understand how the dimensions within their area of responsibility work and influence the broader business.
• A natural leader with executive presence.
• Results-oriented approach to decision making. Proven ability to quickly assimilate and have impact.
• Demonstrated business orientation. This individual must have commercial instincts and financial acumen and will be able to connect operational decisions to the broader business and investment thesis.
• Self-awareness and the natural ability to build trust and confidence, especially with functional/P&L leaders, his or her peer group, and the executive leadership team.
• Strong interpersonal skills. An ability to positively engage with people at all levels of the organization.
• Model and develop a learning-teaching mindset at all levels of the supply chain organization.
• Developing the acumen to zoom into the weaker points of situations through pointed questions and critical thinking, without seeking to embarrass or impress others, but to strengthen execution capabilities.
• He or she will embrace a philosophy of transparency, healthy debate and accountability; and will work to weave them into the organizations Standard Operating Procedure.