Business Unit Manager

Working at Freudenberg: We will wow your world!

Responsibilities:

• Operational Excellence: Manage production, quality, cost, delivery, technical applications, safety, and human resources to achieve defined goals.

• Target Achievement: Deliver targets for cost, productivity, scrap reduction, quality improvements, and customer complaint resolution.

• Continuous Improvement: Use Lean tools to reduce costs, enhance production, and promote quality.

• Leadership & Development: Supervise cell leaders, technical staff, and production planning, focusing on people development.

• Resource Allocation: Ensure minimum downtime and timely completion of activities by prioritizing and managing the team's workload.

• Customer Experience: Ensure best-in-class customer experience with high delivery reliability and product quality.

• Health, Safety & Environment: Coordinate and monitor compliance with all legal and internal HSE requirements.

• Investment Planning: Plan and execute investment projects within the business unit.

• Direct and coordinate all operational activities within the model cell, including production, layout, capacity planning, and associate training
• Lead efforts to achieve targets in cost, productivity, scrap reduction, quality, and customer complaint resolution
• Supervise Team Leads, technical staff, and production planning, with a focus on leadership development and team performance
• Manage Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and ensure efficient use of resources to minimize downtime
• Promote continuous improvement through the use of Lean tools and practices to enhance quality and reduce costs
• Serve as the first point of contact for customer complaints, including arranging on-site sorting and leading resolution efforts
• Ensure compliance with all safety, OSHA, and internal Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) requirements
• Coordinate personnel matters such as performance reviews, training records, discipline, recognition, and time-off planning
• Plan and execute investment projects within the business unit to support growth and operational excellence
• Foster a positive work environment by maintaining open communication, addressing concerns, and promoting team morale
• Host and participate in customer visits to ensure high delivery reliability and product quality
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in a technical or business discipline preferred. 

• Proven leadership experience required
• Production or manufacturing experience preferred
• Familiarity with Lean System tools and methodologies
• Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel; experience with Lotus Notes is a plus
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and team collaboration abilities
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to write clear procedures
• Ability to interpret and apply technical specifications
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed
• Professional-level English language skills preferred

Communication & Collaboration: Communicates clearly and concisely, while serving as a sparring partner to internal/external stakeholders. Fosters teamwork between employees and across the organization.Value for Customers: Drives a customer-oriented business strategy and provides indispensable support to deliver successful outcomes.Innovation: Envisions the impact of potential future trends and proactively drives necessary changes. Encourages creativity and initiative from employees.Drive & Execution: Inspires and motivates self and others, while taking full accountability for actions and results.

The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.