Job Description

Job Description

The Global Artisan Innovation Center (GAIC) Material Operations Group Leader is responsible for leading day-to-day material operations that support pre-production builds, engineering testing, and ultra-low-volume vehicle production. This role oversees a team responsible for receiving, storing, kitting, and moving materials to point-of-use across GAIC and related sites.

This leader is accountable for the safe, timely, and high-quality execution of material flow from the GM Technical Center docks through internal delivery and shipment activity. The role also supports the trucking fleet that moves materials across Southeast Michigan in support of GAIC and Global Technical Center operations.

The ideal candidate will foster a strong team environment while applying the principles of the GM Global Manufacturing System (GMS) and maintaining a disciplined focus on Safety, People, Quality, Responsiveness, Cost, and Environment (SPQRCE). This work is operational and technical in nature and requires sound judgment, leadership presence, and the ability to drive results within established systems and standards.

What You’ll Do

• Lead, coach, train, develop, and evaluate a team of Material Operations employees

• Assign daily work, provide ongoing feedback, and conduct performance discussions

• Ensure safe and efficient execution of receiving, storage, kitting, lineside delivery, and shipping activities

• Support material flow for pre-production builds, engineering test activities, and ultra-low-volume production

• Serve as, or support, the Short Lead Time (SLT) and Lean Material System subject matter expert for local operations

• Help ensure material flows align with Built in Quality (BIQ) and GMS expectations

• Support Dangerous Goods shipping and receiving processes while ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations and GM standards

• Monitor daily material flow, resolve shortages and disruptions, and escalate issues that may impact build schedules, engineering timing, or customer commitments

• Analyze and help solve complex manufacturing and material-handling issues in partnership with cross-functional teams

• Coordinate operations across multiple buildings and docks within the Global Technical Center / GAIC footprint

• Administer and uphold corporate and divisional policies, procedures, and standards related to safety, quality, security, and compliance

• Track and support performance targets related to cost, schedule, quality, labor utilization, freight/trucking costs, and inventory accuracy

• Maintain reports and operational data needed to monitor SPQRCE metrics, KPIs, audit results, and incident reporting

• Work effectively within a unionized environment and comply with local and national labor agreements, where applicable

• Support the Area Manager in forecasting manpower, budget, and training needs, and contribute to longer-term capacity planning

• Partner closely with Engineering, Program teams, GAIC operations, dock operations, security, carriers, and suppliers to ensure seamless material support

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience

• 3+ years of experience in an automotive assembly plant, pre-production/prototype environment, logistics, or a similar material operations setting

• Demonstrated ability to lead problem-solving activities, identify root causes, and implement sustainable corrective actions

• Prior leadership or management experience with hourly, salaried, skilled trades, union, or similar teams in a fast-paced operational environment

• Knowledge of continuous improvement processes such as CIP/TIP

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across functions and levels

• Willingness and ability to work off-shifts, weekends, and flexible hours as required by business needs

• Proven ability to build engaged teams and foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in an OEM automotive assembly plant or a comparable complex manufacturing or pre-production environment

• Experience with the GM Global Manufacturing System (GMS), especially as it relates to material flow and logistics

• Working knowledge of Engineering Material System (EMS) and Global Pre-Production Part Scheduling System (G3PS), or the ability to learn quickly

• Prior production operations experience supporting build activities such as General Assembly, Body, Paint, or similar operations

• Experience with Dangerous Goods shipping and receiving processes and related certifications

• Familiarity with GM systems used in logistics, inventory management, and material planning, including SAP, EMS, G3PS, and other GM-specific applications



GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc).

This role is categorized as onsite. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location on a full-time basis.

This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.



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