Executive - Plant Leader, Huntsville

Job Description Summary

Are you ready to see your career take flight? At GE Aerospace, we believe the world works better when it flies. We are a world-leading provider of jet engines, components, and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft. We have a relentless dedication to the future of safe and more sustainable flight and believe in our talented people to make it happen.


The Executive Plant Leader for the GE Aerospace Huntsville Facility has full business and operational responsibility for a growing site of over 500 employees. This role is accountable for delivering best-in-class Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost by driving stable, capable, and efficient manufacturing processes.


When it comes to the materials that create exceptional ceramic components, our facility in Huntsville is the major leagues. We're producing Hi-Nicalon TypeS SiC Fiber as well as SiC pre-preg tape in an advanced technology, LEAN manufacturing environment. Join this diverse team of 500+ collaborative employees and every day can be a learning experience. Completed in 2017, this 100-acre campus offers a safety-first, secure workplace where you can perform at your best.


The Huntsville's plant produces advanced materials that are the building blocks for ceramic matrix composites, which are one-third the weight and can handle up to 500 degrees hotter temperatures than traditional metals


The Plant Leader will shape site strategy, lead FLIGHT DECK transformation, and build an inclusive, high-performance culture grounded in lean principles and rigorous problem solving. Success in this role requires strong cross-functional leadership, deep experience in complex manufacturing operations, and the ability to develop talent and strengthen partnerships with customers, suppliers, and the local community.

Job Description

Role & Responsibilities

In this role, you will be accountable for planning and directing all aspects of the organization's manufacturing, community relations and supply chain strategies, objectives, initiatives and policies, as well as play a key leadership role within the organization.

Leadership & Team Management

• Oversee every function in the plant, promoting a safety-first culture and ensuring compliance with applicable GE Aerospace policies.
• Drive lasting operational efficiencies through FLIGHT DECK including Standard Work, Daily Management and Problem Solving.
• Develop and promote talent within the site and across the Integrated Manufacturing organization.
• Establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with internal and external customers & suppliers.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure that plant execution meets or exceeds performance targets in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory and Productivity, in that order.
• Lead the matrix for customer/company outcomes across Integrated Manufacturing & other functions including engineering, product management, services, etc.
• Focus on developing and promoting a Safety-First culture, demonstrating leadership commitment, engaging employees, and implementing stop-work practices when necessary.

Quality Assurance

• Guarantee that all shipped hardware fully conforms to applicable drawing requirements, specifications, and standards.
• Establish and enforce rigorous quality control standards to ensure the production of high-quality rotating parts.
• Maintain compliance with operational and financial transactions in accordance with GE Aerospace policies.
• Develop and enforce a quality at the source QMS.

In addition you will:

• Drive operations team towards execution of Business Goals using Lean Manufacturing Methodology.
• Meet plant safety and quality goals.
• Establish all production schedules and meet customer's delivery expectations.
• Monitor & improve cost productivity while ensuring all customer commitments are met in a timely, quality & compliant manner.
• Establish and direct plant policies and procedures.
• Have a strong focus on employee relations.
• Foster well-trained and motivated staff.
• Select, train and develop plant supervisory and administrative staff.
• Provide leadership for executing New Product Introductions (NPIs), with a strong network with engineering design.
• Ensure sufficient capacity exists to achieve all customer commitments.
• Be responsible for driving continuous improvements in factory yield.
• Drive Product Quality and Lean to ensure that internal business metrics are met.
• Develop & create training plans to maximize workforce capability.
• Continually improve metrics.
• Conduct employee performance reviews.
• Schedule and conduct plant meetings; foster employee engagement and ensure that business and operational goals are effectively communicated to employees.
• Promote a working environment that encourages employee involvement to achieve excellence in productivity, customer service, quality, inventory and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in a manufacturing leadership position
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in operation and maintenance of a high hazard chemical facility

Additional information

• Ability and willingness to travel up to 15% based on business needs
• This facility operates 24/7/365

Desired Characteristics

• Minimum of 15 years of work experience with proven leadership in manufacturing or supply chain role.
• Experience implementing and maintaining OHSA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standards and other compliance requirements.
• Experience with development of site level Mechanical Integrity programs.
• Experience with successfully executing complex capital projects.
• Hands-on operational experience in composite or high-tech development lab environments.
• Experience leading new material and NPI introductions from concept to stable production.
• Depth in Shop Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Materials, Sourcing, and Product Engineering, with the ability to tie overall engine performance and durability to product manufacturing.
• Extensive knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and experience applying principles such as GEMBA, leader standard work, value stream mapping, and A3/PSR problem solving.
• Demonstrated ability to design and sustain an integrated operating rhythm (tiered daily management, visual controls, leader standard work) that drives accountability and continuous improvement.
• Proven ability to translate enterprise strategy into site-level objectives, cascaded targets, and aligned initiatives across functions.
• Experience leading site-level teams and cross-functional value streams to align people, processes, and metrics, delivering measurable improvements in Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost.
• Demonstrated process and project leadership, including setting clear priorities, establishing meaningful KPIs, and driving execution to deliver SQDC outcomes.
• Uncompromising commitment to Safety and compliance, with a track record of building a culture where every employee owns Safety and Quality.
• Proven ability to develop leaders at all levels, including coaching teams in standard work, problem solving, and daily management, while fostering an inclusive, high-engagement culture.
• Strong track record of influencing and managing supplier relationships and joint ventures, and leading supply chain performance across multiple business cycles and product types.
• Quality experience, including working with regulatory agencies and strong knowledge of APQP.
• Experience establishing strong, trust-based relationships with customers and external stakeholders to meet delivery, technical, and cost commitments.
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills, using structured problem solving to eliminate waste and improve process capability.
• Active engagement with the local community and educational institutions to support workforce development and enhance the site's reputation.

This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. Therefore, employment will be contingent upon the ability to prove that you meet the status of a U.S. Person as one of the following: U.S. lawful permanent resident, U.S. Citizen, have been granted asylee or refugee status (i.e., a protected individual under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).

Additional Information

GE Aerospace offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer . Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

GE Aerospace will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable).

Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes