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Operations Manager

Piston Group · Auburn Hills, MI

Apply on Piston Group ↗
Level
Manager
Team
Production
Degree
Required
Industry
Automotive
Posted
Recently

The role in 30 seconds

A management production role at Piston Group (automotive) in Auburn Hills, MI. Establishes production and quality control standards, develops budget and cost controls, and obtains data regarding types, quantities, specifications, and delivery dates of products ordered.

They ask for
degree required
Tools it names
Lean, Root cause, IATF 16949, Tooling
Day to day
some off-shift / weekend coverage

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Production Engineer roles in Michigan: typical posted base $130k–$189k.

Median of the low and high ends of 5 live postings that list pay, out of 32 production engineer openings in Michigan, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Michigan plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 31 other live production postings in Michigan.

Experience asked
Not stated

Similar roles usually ask 7+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Lean 63%
  • ✓ Team leadership 56%
  • Cost reduction 47%
  • Six Sigma 41%
  • ✓ Root cause 31%
  • Casting 28%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for IATF 16949, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverage

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

  1. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at Piston Group

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.

  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 4

    Apply with someone vouching for you

    If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.

  5. 5

    Bring proof to the interview

    One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: Piston Group in Auburn Hills

6 other open roles at this site.

Full description from Piston GroupAs posted on their careers site.Show

responsibilities

of assigned organization and staff positions to accomplish business objectives. Performs administrative activities associated with the effective management of shop operations, including compiling, storing, and retrieving production data for reports. Meet or exceed Piston Automotive goals for: Safety, Productivity, Quality and Continuous Improvement. You must possess a strong ability to mentor/develop/coach all levels of the organization and drive accountability for performance. Trains and ensures all assigned employees are aware of and comply with company, government, and customer policies, procedures, and regulations. You must possess excellent communication skills (both written and verbal).

Piston Automotive wasn’t just founded to make things. It was founded to make things better. And that begins with building better teams solely dedicated to achieving excellence at every level of execution through a combination of experience, expertise, and a deep seeded passion for what we do. Our assemblies consistently set the standard because our people consistently raise the bar.

Why Piston Automotive?

Competitive Wages, Paid Holidays & Vacation, Medical & Rx Plans, Dental & Vision Plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Life & Disability Coverage, 401K with Company Match, Tuition Reimbursement , Vehicle and Product Discounts

Responsibilities

  • ◆Establishes production and quality control standards, develops budget and cost controls, and obtains data regarding types, quantities, specifications, and delivery dates of products ordered.
  • ◆Develops operational budgets and drive adherence to performance.
  • ◆Drive system adherence, including TS 16949 requirements.
  • ◆Creates an environment that encourages active participation of all team members.
  • ◆Lead facility in Plant Manger's absence.
  • ◆Creates/sustains a safe work environment throughout the entire plant facility.
  • ◆Develops and maintains manufacturing operations business plans to include all program requirements, labor hours, cycle, production costs, and image.
  • ◆Provides guidance to the development of a manufacturing process plan, including personnel requirements, material needs, subcontract requirements, facility needs, and tooling and equipment needs.
  • ◆Reviews production and operating reports and directs the resolution of operational, manufacturing, and maintenance problems to ensure minimum costs and prevent operational delays.
  • ◆Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • ✓Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Engineering or a related field.
  • ✓Eight (8) years of experience as an Operations Supervisor, Manager or a related role.
  • ✓Eight years of experience in a ILVS/JIT/Broadcast environments.
  • ✓Eight years of experience with Lean Manufacturing concepts (i.e. Toyota Production System, etc.), and knowledge of TS 16949 quality process. Eight years of leadership experience, independent thinking, strong organizational and planning abilities and excellent analytical and problem-solving skills are essential.
  • ✓A minimum of eight (8) years of experience as a change agent.
  • ✓Eight years of experience using problem solving methodologies (8D, 5 Why, etc.) and ability to work with diverse team at all levels within the organization.
Show full description ↓

Overview

Manages all activities related to operations and development of company products by performing the following duties personally or through subordinate supervisors. You will support a 7 day/week 3 crew operation. This position will be a key member of the Plant Leadership Team with integral role in developing and continuously improving the culture. Ensures all established costs, quality, and delivery commitments are met. Coordinates manufacturing activities with all other functions of the organization and suppliers to obtain optimum production and utilization of human resources, machines, and equipment. Determines

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