Job Description
The Role
In this Business Manager – Paint role, you will coordinate people, material, and equipment to safely deliver high-quality painted vehicles in a high-volume manufacturing environment. You will use Global Manufacturing System (GMS) principles and key manufacturing systems to run the daily business and achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people targets in the paint organization.
You will train and develop salaried and hourly employees, build highly effective paint shop teams, and serve as a key resource for launch and pilot activities in your assigned area. You will also help administer the National and Local Agreements between General Motors and the UAW and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with employees, union leadership, and plant management.
What You’ll Do (Responsibilities)
Lead daily production execution in the Paint organization to meet production schedules and product requirements, using lean / synchronous manufacturing with a focus on variation reduction, cost control, and productivity.
Champion safety, ensuring compliance with ergonomics, health and safety, and housekeeping standards; support investigations and corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Maintain and communicate quality standards and goals, using structured problem-solving to rapidly contain and resolve issues.
Implement and sustain standardized work and systems that prevent recurrence of known issues and drive continuous improvement in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
Support and reinforce GMS processes (for example, standardized work, layered audits, problem-solving, visual management, 5S).
Serve as a key resource for launch and pilot builds, ensuring staffing, training, process readiness, and timely issue escalation in your area.
Ensure team members receive effective Job Instruction Training (JIT) and that standardized work instructions are current, clear, and followed.
Motivate, coach, and develop employees with clear expectations, regular feedback, and support for performance and development discussions.
Build and maintain effective relationships with employees, union representatives, and management through consistent, transparent communication.
Apply the National and Local Agreements between GM and the UAW fairly and consistently in day-to-day decisions, partnering with HR and HRLR as needed.
Use data and visual management tools to monitor performance (for example, safety, quality, throughput, scrap, overtime, absenteeism) and drive corrective actions.
Partner with Quality, Maintenance, Materials, Health & Safety, and HR to address issues that impact production and the employee experience.
Support manpower planning, vacation scheduling, overtime management, and job assignments to maintain adequate staffing and coverage.
Promote an inclusive, respectful work environment where employees are engaged in problem-solving and recognized for their contributions.
Your Skills and Abilities (Required Qualifications)
3+ years of experience in manufacturing experience or experience in a large, complex automotive or high-volume manufacturing facility.
Must be able to work on an off/flexible shift (3rd), as well as overtime and weekends, as needed.
Experience leading or coordinating teams in a high-volume manufacturing or operations environment, preferably automotive.
Working knowledge of lean manufacturing and/or Global Manufacturing System (GMS), including standardized work, problem-solving, 5S, and visual management.
Ability to analyze production, quality, and safety data, identify trends, and act to close performance gaps.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate across hourly and salaried teams, preferably in a union environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Suite (for example, Outlook, Excel, Word).
Extensive knowledge and experience with manufacturing and workforce systems, for example, Workday timekeeping, PR&T, Kronos, and the Throughput Improvement Process (TIP).
What Can Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)
5+ years of experience in manufacturing experience or experience in a large, complex automotive or high-volume manufacturing facility.
3+ years of people-leadership experience (for example, Group Leader, Team Leader, Shift Leader, Supervisor) with accountability for safety, quality, delivery, and cost metrics.
Knowledge and experience of the overall automotive painting process.
Formal training and demonstrated proficiency in GMS, lean manufacturing, and structured problem-solving (for example, 5-Why, fishbone, 8D) and/or Business Plan Deployment (BPD).
Experience supporting launch and pilot build activities, including process readiness, staffing/training plans, and issue tracking/escalation.
Experience with production and quality systems (for example, andon, traceability, scrap reporting, layered audits, error-proofing systems).
Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or a related field.
Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives that improved safety, quality, or productivity in a manufacturing setting.
Deeper experience working with and administering UAW or similar labor agreements, including partnership with HR and HRLR.
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 words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.
Benefits Overview
From day one, we're looking out for your well-being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)
General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.
All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.
We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.
Accommodations
General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.