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

• Strong collaboration skills across technical, operational, and corporate teams

What You'll Gain


Impact & Contributions

• Lead the launch and long-term success of a new 208,000-square-foot manufacturing facility

• Build the organizational and operational foundation for a significant new manufacturing operation

• Directly influence safety, quality, productivity, customer delivery, and financial performance

• Play a key leadership role in the continued growth of AP Emissions Technologies

Career Growth

• Executive-level visibility within AP Emissions Technologies and Marmon Holdings

• Opportunity to build and lead a large, multidisciplinary manufacturing organization

• Exposure to advanced manufacturing, automation, emissions technology, and new product development

• Opportunities to influence broader operational strategy and continuous improvement

Benefits & Culture

• Competitive compensation and benefits

• Collaborative, hands-on leadership environment

• Opportunities for professional growth and development

• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a growing global organization

Work Environment & Travel


This role is based on-site in Apex, North Carolina, with regular shop-floor presence across shifts. Occasional domestic travel may be required.


Following receipt of a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete additional job-related screening processes as permitted or required by applicable law.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to their membership in any protected class. If you require any reasonable accommodation to complete your application or any part of the recruiting process, please email your request to View email address on click.appcast.io, and please be sure to include the title and the location of the position for which you are applying.