Plant Manager

56 Excellence Way, Vonore, TN 37885, USA • Knoxville, TN, USA Job Description Posted Friday, May 29, 2026 at 4:00 AM JTEKT North America is a global leader in advanced automotive systems, bearings, and manufacturing technologies. The Vonore, Tennessee location is recruiting for a Plant Manager. Step into this high-impact role where you will own the performance of a modern, growth-focused facility and shape the culture that powers it. You will lead a talented team, champion world class safety and quality, and drive continuous improvement to elevate throughput, cost, and delivery. With executive visibility, real decision-making authority, and the resources to invest in people and technology, you’ll scale what’s working and fix what isn’t—fast. If you’re energized by building teams, modernizing operations, and delivering measurable results, this is your opportunity to make a visible, career-defining impact from day one and we want to hear from you! Essential Duties and Accountabilities: Continuously strive to improve adherence to the Plant Management Requirements (PMR). The annual development and execution of a business plan that improves profitability, operational metrics and is accurately forecasted. Implementing TPS in the factory. Drive Lean to improve flow and connection. Driving all plant performance measurements and KPI’s including but not limited to safety, quality, productivity, continuous improvement and profitability. Using a variety of methods communicates plant performance and profitability, as well as long-term Hoshin objectives to senior executives. Creating a positive plant culture that demonstrates leadership in safety, environmental, and quality compliance. Driving customer service culture at every level and achieving highest ratings on customer satisfaction. Develop plant leadership through coaching, mentoring and driving a team culture with strong communication practices throughout the organization. Represent the company in the community and promote the company’s goodwill and interests in community activities. Perform other duties as requested, directed or assigned. Supervisory Responsibilities: This position is responsible for managing and developing the plant leadership team in accordance with JTEKT policies and procedures. Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Requires demonstrated successful leadership in a lean manufacturing environment. Experience with TPS (Toyota Production System) Experience in Management, manufacturing process, dealing with customers, budget preparation, and cost control. Exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to develop relationships, trust, and drive teamwork. Outstanding problem solving and decision-making skills in a production environment. Demonstrate JTEKT leadership skills – Inspire Trust, Create Vision, Execute Strategy, Coach Potential Ability to create and maintain a positive work environment and drive positive associate relations. Education and Experience: Bachelor’s in engineering or Business-related field. 5+ years in leadership position and automotive manufacturing plant is a plus. TPS training/experience is preferred. Experience in management, manufacturing processes, dealing with customers, budget preparation, and cost control. Work Environment/Physical Demands: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is mostly performed in a normal office setting with minimal exposure to health or safety hazards, and with substantial time spent working on a computer. Requires sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate computer keyboard and other office equipment. The performance of this position will require constant exposure to manufacturing areas which require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses with side shields and mandatory hearing protection. Travel by automobile and plane required approximately 10% of time. It is the policy at JTEKT to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals. All personnel actions, including, but not limited to, compensation, benefits, recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion of persons in all job titles, are administered without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, protected veteran or disability status, or any other status protected by law. 56 Excellence Way, Vonore, TN 37885, USA, #J-18808-Ljbffr