Executive Managing Director - Automotive Manufacturing

Keller Executive Search•Greenville, SC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a rare chance to step into full ownership of a business. Our client is an established, privately held manufacturer with a proven customer base in the automotive sector and a platform that is ready for its next chapter of growth. The incoming Executive Managing Director will have genuine authority to shape strategy, build the team, and improve how the business operates. You will work directly with ownership, who are collaborative and commercially experienced, but who are looking for a leader who can take day-to-day responsibility off their hands and drive performance with conviction.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience in a senior leadership role (CEO, MD, GM, or equivalent) with full P&L accountability in a manufacturing environment
A clear track record of improving operating and financial performance, not just maintaining it
Experience in automotive, tier-1/tier-2 supply, or a closely adjacent manufacturing sector
A hands-on, execution-oriented leadership style, someone who sets direction and then ensures it actually happens
Strong commercial instincts and comfort managing customer relationships at a senior level
Financial literacy sufficient to own a P&L with confidence, interpret management accounts, and make sound capital allocation decisions
The credibility and communication skills to work effectively with a private ownership group

Responsibilities

Set the strategic direction for the business in partnership with ownership, and build the operating plan that delivers it
Identify and pursue growth opportunities, deeper penetration of existing accounts, new customer acquisition, and adjacent market expansion
Develop and own the annual business plan, budget, and multi-year outlook
Monitor competitive dynamics and customer trends in the automotive supply chain and adjust positioning accordingly
Own the full P&L, revenue, cost structure, margin, working capital, and cash flow
Drive improvements in profitability through a combination of operational efficiency and commercial discipline
Review and approve capital expenditure requests and manage investment priorities
Maintain a close understanding of cost drivers and pricing dynamics across the business
Provide clear, timely, and accurate financial and operational reporting to ownership
Identify early warning signs in the numbers and act before problems compound
Take personal responsibility for operational performance, quality, throughput, on-time delivery, and cost per unit
Conduct regular walkthroughs of the production environment and maintain genuine visibility into what is happening on the floor
Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including waste reduction, cycle time, and yield optimization
Oversee capacity planning and ensure the operation is sized appropriately for current demand and near-term growth
Own the health and safety culture of the site, setting expectations, monitoring compliance, and personally modeling the standard
Manage supplier relationships and ensure the supply chain supports production reliability and cost targets
Serve as the senior commercial face of the business with key automotive customers
Lead or actively support contract negotiations, renewals, and new business pitches
Resolve escalated customer issues quickly and with a focus on long-term relationship health
Build a clear pipeline of new business opportunities and hold the commercial team accountable for execution
Ensure customer satisfaction metrics are tracked, reviewed, and acted upon consistently
Lead, develop, and hold accountable a senior leadership team spanning operations, finance, commercial, and support functions
Establish clear performance expectations for every direct report and conduct regular, structured performance conversations
Identify capability gaps and take ownership of addressing them, through development, recruitment, or restructuring
Build a culture of accountability, transparency, and high performance throughout the organization
Ensure workforce planning is aligned with operational needs and business growth ambitions
Maintain employee engagement and retention as genuine priorities, not just HR metrics
Act as the primary point of contact between the business and its ownership group
Prepare and present regular business reviews covering financial performance, operational status, commercial pipeline, and strategic progress
Surface material risks proactively and bring recommended courses of action, not just problems
Ensure the business operates with appropriate controls, compliance, and governance standards