Managing Director

Managing Director - Hendrickson Douai
Executive Profile Summary

Profile Summary

A highly visible and hands-on manufacturing leader with strong operational, commercial and people leadership capabilities, responsible for leading Hendrickson Douai through its next phase of performance improvement. Operating a € 25 million revenue facility with approximately 80-90 employees (25 salaried / 40 hourlies / 25 temporaries) and full P&L accountability, the Managing Director will build on an already stable platform to drive operational excellence, improve profitability and support future growth opportunities.

The ideal candidate combines strong shop-floor credibility with strategic thinking and a proven ability to deliver improvements in productivity, quality, cost management and working capital. Success requires a pragmatic, data-driven and transparent leadership style, with the ability to engage and develop the existing management team while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and problem-solving.

Key Leadership Qualities Required

• Hands-On Manufacturing Leadership: Visible and engaged presence on the shop floor with strong understanding of manufacturing operations and performance drivers.
• Operational Excellence Mindset: Track record in Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, waste reduction and sustainable productivity gains.
• Strong P&L and Business Acumen: Ability to manage full site financial responsibility and translate operational performance into profitability.
• Quality and Safety Leadership: Commitment to zero-defect thinking, process control and customer satisfaction within a safety-critical environment.
• Authentic and Transparent Leadership: Open communication style that promotes accountability, trust and proactive problem solving.
• People Development and Team Engagement: Ability to coach leaders, build capability and align teams behind common goals.
• Change Management Capability: Experience leading operational and digital transformation, including system implementation and cultural change.
• Strategic Thinking and Growth Orientation: Focus on long-term growth opportunities, expansion initiatives and industrial strategy.

Leadership Profile in One Sentence

A visible, operationally excellent and commercially astute manufacturing leader who can engage people, drive continuous improvement, deliver stronger financial performance and lead the next stage of growth and operational maturity at Hendrickson Douai.

Key Priorities (First 12-24 Months)

This is not a turnaround role, but rather a continuous improvement and operational excellence mandate. The successful candidate will inherit a plant that has already been stabilized and must now drive the next stage of performance maturity.

1) Operational Improvements

• Reduce changeover times, particularly in tubular-product operations.
• Improve paint-line efficiency and throughput.
• Reduce WIP, inventory and rework.
• Strengthen standard work, visual management and 5S disciplines.
• Improve process capability and manufacturing discipline.

2) Quality Improvement

• Build a genuine zero-defect culture.
• Strengthen in-process controls.
• Reduce customer quality escapes.
• Improve accountability and problem escalation.

3) Digital Transformation

• Lead implementation and adoption of the new Manufacturing Execution System (MES).
• Ensure measurable operational benefits are realized.
• Potentially support broader European deployment.

4) Financial Performance

• Improve productivity and asset utilization.
• Drive working-capital improvements.
• Expand margins from the current 8-9% EBIT to 10%+.

5) Strategic Growth

• Support site expansion opportunities (if approved), including potential neighbouring land/warehouse acquisition.
• Help secure additional OEM, military and specialist suspension business.
• Strengthen collaboration with Hendrickson's European operations and Tata joint venture in India.

6) Leadership Challenges

The Managing Director will need to:

• Maintain stability while driving change.
• Create greater operational rigor and performance transparency.
• Develop and engage the existing leadership team.
• Balance hands-on factory presence with strategic leadership.
• Own the full site P&L and annual operating plan.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Essential

• Hands-on manufacturing leader.
• Strong operational and commercial understanding.
• Experience with process-driven manufacturing environments.
• Proven ability to improve productivity, quality and cost performance.
• Visible shop-floor leadership style.
• Transparent, action-oriented and comfortable confronting problems.

Highly Desirable

• Previous Site Director or Managing Director experience.
• Automotive Tier 1 or Tier 2 background.
• Experience with OEM quality systems and customer requirements.
• Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence expertise.
• Exposure to MES, digital manufacturing and change management.

Alternative Backgrounds Considered

Candidates from sectors involving:

• Forging
• Metal forming
• Tube processing
• Heat treatment
• Machining
• Heavy industrial manufacturing