Optimization Engineering Group Manager - General Assembly Manufacturing Engineering

The Role

The General Assembly Automation & Optimization Group Manager leads a team of manufacturing engineers delivering turnkey automation and process optimization projects across General Assembly (GA) in North America. The role owns the full lifecycle from opportunity identification through concept, sourcing, design, build, validation, and launch to ensure solutions meet safety, quality, throughput, and cost targets while supporting flawless program launches.

You will work closely with GA Shop Directors, MO Optimization, IE, ME, Material, Product Engineering, plant leadership, and suppliers to shape the GA automation roadmap and execute a portfolio of high-impact projects. This position backfills the current GA Optimization Manager role and reports to the Sr. Manager – Strategic Commodities & Manufacturing Engineering Install .

What You'll Do

Strategy, Roadmap & Portfolio Management

• Lead the GA Optimization team in delivering automation and process optimization (material flow and process) projects across multiple GA plants.

• Build, maintain, and continuously refine the GA automation/optimization roadmap , aligned to LTP, throughput targets, program timing, and plant priorities.

• Own the project funnel and governance from idea through execution, including business case development, labor-efficiency / people-reduction confirmation, and project prioritization.

• Ensure robust Project Management Commitment/Approval Forms (including people-reduction assumptions and deauthorization dates) are accurate and aligned with plant staffing plans.

Technical & Program Leadership

• Oversee development of concepts, SORs, and automation kickoff packages , ensuring adherence to GM standards (safety, controls, documentation, GDHS, etc.).

• Provide technical and program leadership through design reviews, simulations, FMEAs, and run-at-rate/dynamic validation at both suppliers and plants.

• Coordinate with Execution Managers and plant ME to plan and manage install, commissioning, and launch with minimal production disruption.

• Champion standard work, lessons learned, and reuse of proven solutions, tooling, and suppliers across sites to accelerate replication and reduce cost.

People Leadership & Culture

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing engineering team , setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and driving career development and succession planning.

• Foster a strong safety and quality culture , ensuring all solutions meet or exceed GM and regulatory requirements.

• Create an environment of innovation, continuous improvement, and cross-plant collaboration within the optimization team.

Stakeholder & Communication

• Act as a key partner to GA Shop Directors, plant leadership, and central ME on automation and optimization strategy.

• Communicate status, risks, trade-offs, and decisions clearly to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

• Align early and often with plants and suppliers to ensure solutions are launch-ready, serviceable, and sustainable in high-volume production.

Your Skills and Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related field).

• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, GA engineering, or closely related automotive/manufacturing roles.

• 3+ years of people leadership experience (e.g., supervisor, group manager), including performance management and talent development.

• Proven experience leading automation projects (robotics, material handling, fastening, vision, or similar) from concept through launch.

• Demonstrated ability to manage a portfolio of projects with clear priorities, timing, and budget control.

• Excellent cross-functional communication and influence skills, including collaboration with plants, central ME, suppliers, and leadership.

• Ability and willingness to travel frequently (up to 75%) to plants and suppliers as project needs require.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or Business.

• Strong understanding of GA processes, tooling, ergonomics, throughput, and launch readiness .

• Experience as a GA Execution Manager, GA Optimization lead, or equivalent multi-plant automation leadership role.

• Deep knowledge of industrial robotics, PLCs/controls, vision systems, and error-proofing in high-volume assembly environments.

• Track record of delivering labor-efficiency / people-reduction and productivity improvements while improving safety and quality.

• Evidence of innovation (patents, invention disclosures, or novel automation solutions) in complex GA environments.

#LI-MH1