Assistant Vice President, Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Operational Performance

What if you could help shape the future of manufacturing and energy technology?

At WSP, you can leverage your industry expertise to help leading organizations improve operational performance, strengthen supply chains, accelerate innovation, and build sustainable competitive advantage. Working across our global platform, you will partner with clients to solve complex business and operational challenges while helping expand our Energy Technology & Innovation consulting capabilities.

This Opportunity

WSP is seeking an experienced Vice President, Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Operational Performance to join our growing Energy Technology & Innovation team in Novi, Michigan.

This leadership position will support clients across automotive, manufacturing, industrial technology, advanced propulsion, and emerging energy sectors. The successful candidate will bring deep operational expertise, strong industry relationships, and a proven ability to drive business growth while delivering measurable client outcomes.

The role will focus on helping organizations improve manufacturing performance, optimize supply chain operations, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and execute strategic transformation initiatives. In addition, this leader will be responsible for developing new business opportunities, expanding client relationships, and building a high-performing consulting team capable of supporting continued growth within the practice.

Your Impact

Manufacturing & Operational Excellence

• Lead client engagements focused on operational excellence, manufacturing performance improvement, and organizational transformation.
• Assess manufacturing operations and business processes to identify opportunities for improved efficiency, productivity, quality, safety, and profitability.
• Design and implement operational improvement programs that drive measurable business results.
• Conduct operational assessments, maturity evaluations, and transformation roadmaps for manufacturing organizations.
• Support manufacturing readiness, plant performance improvement, and operational optimization initiatives.

Supply Chain Performance Improvement

• Lead supply chain assessments and optimization initiatives across sourcing, supplier management, planning, logistics, inventory management, and operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve supply chain resilience, cost performance, responsiveness, and supplier performance.
• Support clients in evaluating and redesigning supply chain operating models.
• Develop strategies for risk mitigation, network optimization, and supply chain transformation.
• Assist organizations in strengthening end-to-end value chain performance.

Quality & Manufacturing Systems

• Apply VDA 6.3 methodologies to support process assessments, supplier evaluations, and operational improvement initiatives.
• Evaluate manufacturing and quality management systems to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Support clients with production launch readiness, performance improvement programs, and operational risk mitigation.
• Leverage automotive quality best practices across broader manufacturing and energy technology industries.

Energy Technology & Engineering Advisory

• Support organizations involved in:
  • Powertrain engineering and development
  • Engine testing and validation
  • Advanced propulsion technologies
  • Electrification initiatives
  • Energy technology development
  • Research, development, and testing operations
• Bridge engineering, product development, manufacturing, and operational objectives to help clients improve execution and business performance.

Business Development & Practice Growth

• Develop and execute a market growth strategy for Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Operational Performance services within the Energy Technology & Innovation business.
• Identify new client opportunities and expand existing relationships across OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, industrial manufacturers, and emerging technology organizations.
• Lead proposal development, client presentations, and strategic pursuit efforts.
• Leverage existing industry relationships to generate revenue growth and expand WSP's advisory footprint.
• Represent WSP at industry events, conferences, and professional organizations.

Team Leadership

• Recruit, develop, and mentor a high-performing consulting team.
• Build organizational capability and subject matter expertise within the practice.
• Establish methodologies, tools, and best practices that support scalable growth.
• Foster a culture focused on collaboration, innovation, client service, and professional development.
• Help establish WSP as a recognized leader in manufacturing, supply chain, and operational performance consulting.

The ideal candidate is a recognized industry leader who combines:

• Deep manufacturing and supply chain expertise.
• Strong automotive and engineering credibility.
• Existing industry relationships and business development capabilities.
• A passion for coaching and developing talent.
• A proven ability to build and lead successful consulting teams.
• An entrepreneurial mindset focused on growth and market expansion.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business, or related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, supply chain management, operational excellence, consulting, or related leadership roles.
• VDA 6.3 Process Auditor Certification.
• Deep understanding of automotive manufacturing operations and quality systems.
• Demonstrated success leading operational improvement and supply chain transformation initiatives.
• Strong executive presence with experience advising senior leadership and C-suite stakeholders.
• Proven business development experience with a track record of generating and growing client relationships.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and complex consulting engagements.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree (MBA, MS Engineering, MS Supply Chain, or related field).
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent certification.
• IATF 16949 auditing experience.
• Experience with automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.
• Background in engine design, powertrain engineering, testing, validation, or advanced propulsion systems.
• Experience supporting energy technology, electrification, battery, mobility, or industrial technology organizations.
• Experience leading plant transformations, operational turnarounds, or enterprise-wide performance improvement initiatives.
• Established professional network within the automotive, manufacturing, and energy technology sectors.

About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.