Plant General Manager

AP Emissions Technologies

As a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdings—which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway— you’ll be doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. We’re committed to making a positive impact on the world, providing you with diverse learning and working opportunities, and fostering a culture where everyone’s empowered to be their best.

Who We Are

AP Emissions Technologies provides aftermarket emissions and exhaust solutions for all vehicle classes. With nearly a century of innovation and integrated manufacturing expertise , AP delivers OEM-quality performance, regulatory compliance, and broad product coverage to customers worldwide.

What You’ll Do

As the Plant General Manager, you will serve as the on-site executive leader for AP Emissions Technologies' new 208,000-square-foot facility in Apex, North Carolina. You will lead the site's start-up, production ramp-up, and long-term operational performance across manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, automation, supply chain, quality, logistics , EHS, and people development.

This is a high-impact leadership role with end-to-end accountability for site performance, from facility commissioning and team development through customer-ready production and shipment. You will establish the operating foundation for a new manufacturing facility while building a high-performing team and delivering on safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and financial objectives .

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Lead and develop cross-functional teams across production, engineering, maintenance, automation, supply chain, quality, logistics , and EHS

Establish organizational structure, clear accountability, performance expectations, and site governance

Build manufacturing career paths, succession plans, mentoring programs, and performance management practices

Establish a safety-first, continuous-improvement culture across all shifts

Lead manufacturing operations for cordierite ceramic substrate production, automated DPF/DOC/TWC catalyst coating, and automated substrate encapsulation

Develop and execute production, staffing, resource allocation, capacity, and ramp-up plans to meet customer demand

Own site performance across key metrics including output, OEE, on-time delivery, scrap, yield, conversion cost, inventory, and quality

Apply Lean and continuous-improvement methodologies to eliminate bottlenecks, reduce waste, and improve throughput

Partner with R&D and technical teams to transition products from laboratory and pilot stages into stable, scalable mass production

Lead engineering and maintenance strategy, including equipment lifecycle management, commissioning, capital projects, retrofits, and process improvements

Improve equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime across production assets and plant utilities

Partner with automation and process teams to stabilize manufacturing systems and establish standard work

Own site environmental, health, and safety performance and compliance with OSHA, North Carolina requirements, and corporate standards

Lead supply chain, inventory control, warehousing, material receipt, and finished-goods logistics

Mitigate supply risks associated with ceramics, washcoat materials, and precious-metal-related inputs

Own the site operating budget and financial performance across labor, energy, materials, overhead, and conversion costs

Lead cost-reduction, value engineering, yield improvement, and waste-reduction initiatives

Monitor performance against budget, identify variances, and communicate results, risks, and mitigation plans to the Division President

Serve as the primary site contact for regulators, authorities, key suppliers, and visiting OEM and industrial customers

Partner with division and technical leadership on capital projects, process scale-up, new product readiness, customer delivery, and quality initiatives

Cross-Functional Partners

Division and corporate leadership

Production, engineering, maintenance, automation, and technical teams

Supply chain, logistics , and quality teams

R&D and product development

EHS and human resources

OEM and industrial customers

Key suppliers, regulators, and external partners

Ownership

End-to-end operational and financial performance of the Apex facility

Plant start-up, production ramp-up, and long-term manufacturing performance

Safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost performance

Organizational development, talent management, and succession planning

Manufacturing capacity, equipment reliability, and operational readiness

Regulatory, environmental, and corporate compliance

Project Work

Lead the commissioning and start-up of the new 208,000-square-foot manufacturing facility

Develop and execute production ramp-up and capacity expansion plans

Lead equipment commissioning, capital projects, retrofits, and process improvements

Support new product launches and transition products from pilot production to full-scale manufacturing

Implement Lean and continuous-improvement initiatives to improve yield, throughput, and cost

Develop and implement systems, processes, and standard work to support scalable plant operations

What You’ll Need

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Engineering , Materials Science, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline required ; MBA preferred

10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in U.S.-based heavy or advanced manufacturing

At least 5 years of experience as a Plant Manager or equivalent senior site leader

Demonstrated experience leading a greenfield or brownfield plant start-up and production ramp-up

Experience in chemical manufacturing, automotive components, emissions manufacturing, or a closely related industry

Experience leading large, cross-functional organizations spanning production, maintenance, quality, supply chain, and EHS

Proven accountability for multimillion-dollar operating and capital budgets

Demonstrated success delivering improvements in cost, yield, productivity, and operational performance

Experience with automotive quality systems such as IATF 16949 and OEM manufacturing expectations preferred

Lean or Six Sigma certification, PMP, or other formal project-management credential preferred

Technical Knowledge

Strong knowledge of Lean manufacturing and continuous-improvement methodologies

Deep understanding of high-volume, automated manufacturing environments

Working knowledge of manufacturing quality systems and automotive OEM expectations

Understanding of U.S. manufacturing regulations, OSHA requirements, and North Carolina environmental and safety requirements

Experience with ERP/MES systems, operational reporting, budgeting, and data analysis

Strong understanding of manufacturing engineering, automation, equipment reliability, and plant maintenance

Hard Skills

Plant operations and manufacturing leadership

Greenfield/brownfield facility start-up and production ramp-up

Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement

Budget and P&L management

Capital planning and project execution

Manufacturing engineering and automation

Supply chain and inventory management

Quality systems and regulatory compliance

Operational KPI management and data analysis

Talent development and organizational design

Soft Skills

Strong business acumen and results-oriented mindset

Ability to build, develop, and inspire large, diverse manufacturing teams

Data-driven decision-making and sound operational judgment

Ability to balance safety, quality, delivery, and cost priorities

Strong communication , presentation, and stakeholder-management skills

Hands-on leadership style with a strong presence on the shop floor

Ability to make effective decisions in a fast-paced, ambiguous start-up environment