The Deputy Plant Manager supports the Plant Manager in leading all aspects of plant operations within the Yanfeng Fountain Inn Automotive Seating facility. Responsibilities include ensuring production, quality, cost, safety, launch readiness, and delivery performance. This role serves as akey operational leader and primary backup to the Plant Manager, requiring strong manufacturing experience and professional German communication skills to interface with German OEM customers, global teams, and suppliers.

Essential functions of the job:

• Oversee day-to-day plant operations aligned with seating manufacturing production KPIs.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across safety, quality, productivity, and cost.
• Monitor performance metrics and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure efficient utilization of labor, equipment, and materials across seating lines.
• Lead and develop teams including Production, Manufacturing, Logistics, SCM, and Quality.
• Support training initiatives for new product launches and skill development.
• Foster a strong culture of accountability and performance.
• Ensure seating products meet all customer quality standards and OEM requirements.
• Support audits, customer visits, and issue resolution with German-speaking customers.
• Partner with Quality and Engineering to ensure robust process controls.
• Collaborate with Planning, SCM Logistics, and Procurement to ensure schedule adherence.
• Optimize production flow within the seating assembly.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives.
• Drive a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all Yanfeng HSEguidelines.
• Lead incident reviews and corrective actions.
• Support the Plant Manager with execution of plant strategy and KPI alignment.
• Participate in budgeting and capital planning.
• Serve as acting Plant Manager when required.

RequiredEducation/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, Business, or related field; master’s preferred.
• 7+ years of manufacturingexperience, ideally in automotive or high-volume assembly.
• Proven experience in leadershiproles within plant operations.
• Strong knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and operational excellence principles.
• Professional proficiency in German (written and spoken).
• Strong communication, leadership, and decision-making skills.
• Experience working with German OEM customers 
• Tier 1 automotive experience is strongly preferred.
• Certification in Lean or Six Sigma.
• Experience using SAP or other manufacturing ERP systems.

Our Investment in You

•  Competitive Compensation Packages 
•  11 Paid Holidays 
•  PTO 
•  Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits 
•  401k Savings 
•  Rewarding Healthy Behavior Program
•  Life and Disability Insurance
•  SupplementalHealth Plans
•  Employee Assistance Program
•  Company Discount Program