Plant Manager - GFX Solutions
Who We Are:
GFX Solutions (founded as Ground Effects in 1986), is a global supplier of automotive accessory and vehicle solutions headquartered in Windsor, Ontario. On April 1, 2026, the company entered a new chapter when its bedliner and upfit divisions began operating as GFX Solutions, while the Ground Effects name continued with the manufacturing business.
Backed by nearly 40 years of experience, GFX Solutions continues to deliver innovative solutions and exceptional value to customers across North America and around the world.
At GFX, we have created a culture that values long-standing employees and excellence in everything we do. Employees can expect to be a part of a great team that values safety and quality.
Who You Are
GFX Solutions is currently searching for a Plant Manager to join our Operations team in Oakville, Ontario.
As the Plant Manager, you will provide overall leadership for the Oakville manufacturing facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and profitable operations while delivering exceptional quality and service to our customers. You will be responsible for leading Production, Quality, Maintenance, Shipping, and other operational functions to achieve company objectives related to safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement.
You are a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced automotive manufacturing environment. You promote accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration while building high-performing teams capable of delivering operational excellence.
What You Can Expect from the Role:
The responsibilities of the Plant Manager include:
Plant Leadership
- Provide overall leadership and direction for all plant operations.
- Develop and execute operational strategies that align with company objectives and customer requirements.
- Foster a culture focused on safety, quality, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
- Build strong working relationships with employees, customers, suppliers, and senior leadership.
- Lead by example through a visible and engaged presence on the production floor.
Production & Operations
- Ensure customer production schedules and delivery requirements are achieved while optimizing labour, equipment utilization, and inventory levels.
- Oversee production planning, scheduling, capacity planning, and daily manufacturing activities.
- Monitor operational KPIs including Safety, Quality, Delivery, Productivity, Labour Efficiency, Scrap, Downtime, and Overall Plant Performance.
- Remove production constraints and coordinate cross-functional resources to resolve operational issues.
- Drive reductions in downtime, scrap, rework, and waste while improving throughput and efficiency.
- Ensure production activities comply with work instructions, standard operating procedures, and customer requirements.
Health & Safety
- Promote a proactive Health & Safety culture throughout the facility.
- Ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), applicable regulations, and company safety policies.
- Support workplace inspections, incident investigations, corrective actions, and employee training programs.
- Support environmental compliance initiatives and continuous improvement of safety and environmental performance.
Quality Management
- Ensure compliance with IATF 16949, customer-specific requirements, and internal quality standards.
- Support APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, customer audits, and automotive launch activities.
- Partner with Quality to maintain robust quality systems, process controls, and corrective action processes.
- Monitor customer complaints, warranty issues, internal scrap, rework, and quality trends.
- Lead initiatives focused on improving First Time Quality and reducing defects.
Maintenance & Facilities
- Ensure effective preventive and predictive maintenance programs are executed.
- Support equipment reliability initiatives to minimize downtime and maximize production uptime.
- Oversee facility maintenance, equipment upgrades, and capital improvement projects.
- Ensure maintenance priorities support operational and customer requirements.
Financial & Operational Performance
- Develop and manage departmental operating budgets.
- Maintain accountability for labour costs, overtime, inventory, scrap, operational expenses, and profitability.
- Support plant Profit & Loss performance through effective cost management and productivity improvements.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising safety, quality, or customer satisfaction.
- Support capital planning, equipment investments, and operational improvement initiatives.
People Leadership
- Lead, coach, and develop direct reports including Production Supervisors, Maintenance, Quality, Shipping, and other operational leaders.
- Establish clear performance expectations and provide regular coaching and feedback.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, succession planning, and employee development initiatives.
- Address attendance, performance management, and corrective action matters in accordance with company policies.
Continuous Improvement
- Champion Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, waste reduction, and Operational Excellence initiatives.
- Use data and performance metrics to identify trends and implement sustainable improvements.
- Drive productivity, quality, material flow, safety, and cost improvements throughout the facility.
- Encourage employee involvement in continuous improvement activities.
Customer Focus
- Ensure customer expectations for quality, delivery, and responsiveness are consistently achieved.
- Support customer visits, audits, corrective actions, and operational reviews.
- Lead or support new product launches, process changes, equipment installations, and capacity expansion activities.
- Build strong customer relationships through operational excellence and proactive communication.
Communication & Reporting
- Review daily production, quality, maintenance, and safety performance.
- Prepare and present operational metrics to senior leadership.
- Lead production meetings and cross-functional planning meetings.
- Ensure effective communication between departments and shifts.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
What Qualifications and Skills Do You Possess?
- Post-secondary education in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent manufacturing leadership experience will be considered.
- Minimum 5-10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including experience managing supervisors and operational leaders.
- Previous Plant Manager, Operations Manager, or Manufacturing Manager experience in an automotive manufacturing environment preferred.
- Strong knowledge of IATF 16949, APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, customer-specific requirements, and automotive launch processes.
- Experience working within ISO 14001 and/or ISO 45001 environments is considered an asset.
- Experience managing budgets, labour planning, plant financial performance, and operational KPIs.
- Demonstrated success leading Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Strong understanding of production scheduling, capacity planning, manufacturing processes, and inventory management.
- Experience in automotive coatings, finishing, upfit operations, plastics, assembly, or related value-added manufacturing processes is considered an asset.
- Strong analytical, organizational, leadership, coaching, and decision-making abilities.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, ERP/MRP systems, and manufacturing performance reporting tools.
- Valid Ontario Class G Driver's Licence.
Compensation and Benefits
We offer a competitive compensation package for this critical role, including:
- Salary: $120,000 to $140,000 annually
- Extended Health, Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Employee Assistance Program coverage
- Paid Vacation Days
- Professional Development program
- Registered Pension Plan after 6 months
- Life Insurance
- CSA approved safety footwear and any other safety equipment as deemed appropriate for the job and environment in question
- Potential for bonus
Other Important Details You Need to Know:
- Physical Requirements: Manual dexterity is required to use a computer and peripherals.
- Shift: Day Shift
- Vacancy Status: This is an active vacancy for a new position at our upcoming facility.
- Use of AI: AI may be used to assess candidates who apply for this position
- Travel may be required.
Are you ready to COME GROW WITH US?!
Apply today! For more information, please visit our website at GFX Solutions
Only the selected candidates will receive a response. Thank you for your interest in our organization!
- Ground Effects Solutions. is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
Pay: $120,000.00-$140,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Application question(s):
- Have you held a Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Manufacturing Manager, or equivalent leadership role with responsibility for an entire manufacturing operation?
- Are you willing to work on-site in Oakville, Ontario?
Experience:
- Manufacturing: 5 years (required)
- Leadership: 5 years (required)
- IATF 16949:2016: 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person
