JOB DESCRIPTION
The Director is a senior leadership role responsible for managing and executing the commercial and program management activities for the North American Powersports seating business. This role oversees strategy development, long‑range planning (LRP), pricing, contracts, and program delivery to ensure best‑in‑class execution while meeting customer expectations for cost, competitiveness, and disciplined engineering.
The Director is accountable for both financial and operational performance and for establishing the systems and processes necessary to serve Adient’s powersports and specialty customers. The position reports to the BU Vice President and collaborates closely with senior leaders across Engineering, Program Management, Finance, and Operations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Leadership
Develop and execute the overall CBU strategy for North America to achieve strategic objectives and Profit Plan targets.
Refine growth strategies to ensure alignment with long‑term plans, resource availability, and execution capability.
Lead development of short‑ and long‑term business objectives and operational plans.
Business Development & Growth
Drive profitable growth through sustainable pricing and disciplined commercial practices.
Ensure organizational engagement with new business opportunities aligned to the global product plan.
Assess major opportunities for financial viability, product/process alignment, and manufacturing footprint suitability.
Coordinate global responses for opportunities that span multiple regions.
Resource & Team Leadership
Allocate human, financial, and technical resources to balance short‑term performance with long‑term profitability.
Build, develop, and structure a high‑performing team capable of meeting customer and business requirements.
Establish strong working relationships across the CBU to enable successful execution of growth strategies.
Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
Represent Adient and the CBU with customers, suppliers, and internal/external stakeholders.
Maintain customer trust by ensuring high‑quality delivery, responsiveness, and execution excellence.
Serve as the primary interface to customer purchasing, engineering, operations, and leadership teams.
Account Strategy & Growth Leadership
Lead the multi‑year long‑range strategic plan, including expansion beyond core customers (e.g., BRP, Polaris).
Translate customer sourcing cycles into a prioritized pipeline (RFQs, rebids, replacement business, new targets).
Manage commercial agreements, pricing structures, purchase order alignment, rebates, and claims.
Ensure cross‑functional alignment with Operations, Engineering, and Quality for launch readiness and customer satisfaction.
Partner with engineering teams on value engineering and scope definition.
Engage Quality leadership to maintain best‑in‑class performance and customer scorecard results.
Own the annual budget/forecast inputs and financial performance explanations.
Establish a formal operating cadence including pipeline reviews, contract status updates, milestone reviews, and customer satisfaction metrics.
QUALIFICATIONS Required Experience
15+ years of progressive experience in product management, finance, commercial/sales, or related roles in the automotive or automotive supply industry.
Strong understanding of customer business strategies globally and regionally, Tier 1 product planning, engineering principles, and manufacturing strategies.
Global experience with cross‑cultural awareness and execution styles.
Experience leading teams in both direct and matrixed environments and driving accountability and high performance across the organization.
Required Education
Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field required.
Master’s degree in business, engineering, or a related discipline preferred.
Required Skills & Abilities
Excellent communication skills for engaging with customers and internal stakeholders at all levels.
Strong leadership capability across multidisciplinary, geographically dispersed teams.
Advanced analytical skills with the ability to evaluate business cases, understand product development requirements, and create actionable strategies.
Strong planning and problem‑solving abilities to mitigate risks and prevent delays or business loss. Strategic thinker with strong tactical execution discipline.
Ability to work independently with high professional standards.
Proven success in collaborative, participative management environments.
Understanding of customer cost structures and OEM sourcing and award processes.
PRIMARY LOCATION Central Tech Unit Plymouth MI
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Director is accountable for both financial and operational performance and for establishing the systems and processes necessary to serve Adient’s powersports and specialty customers. The position reports to the BU Vice President and collaborates closely with senior leaders across Engineering, Program Management, Finance, and Operations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Leadership
Develop and execute the overall CBU strategy for North America to achieve strategic objectives and Profit Plan targets.
Refine growth strategies to ensure alignment with long‑term plans, resource availability, and execution capability.
Lead development of short‑ and long‑term business objectives and operational plans.
Business Development & Growth
Drive profitable growth through sustainable pricing and disciplined commercial practices.
Ensure organizational engagement with new business opportunities aligned to the global product plan.
Assess major opportunities for financial viability, product/process alignment, and manufacturing footprint suitability.
Coordinate global responses for opportunities that span multiple regions.
Resource & Team Leadership
Allocate human, financial, and technical resources to balance short‑term performance with long‑term profitability.
Build, develop, and structure a high‑performing team capable of meeting customer and business requirements.
Establish strong working relationships across the CBU to enable successful execution of growth strategies.
Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
Represent Adient and the CBU with customers, suppliers, and internal/external stakeholders.
Maintain customer trust by ensuring high‑quality delivery, responsiveness, and execution excellence.
Serve as the primary interface to customer purchasing, engineering, operations, and leadership teams.
Account Strategy & Growth Leadership
Lead the multi‑year long‑range strategic plan, including expansion beyond core customers (e.g., BRP, Polaris).
Translate customer sourcing cycles into a prioritized pipeline (RFQs, rebids, replacement business, new targets).
Manage commercial agreements, pricing structures, purchase order alignment, rebates, and claims.
Ensure cross‑functional alignment with Operations, Engineering, and Quality for launch readiness and customer satisfaction.
Partner with engineering teams on value engineering and scope definition.
Engage Quality leadership to maintain best‑in‑class performance and customer scorecard results.
Own the annual budget/forecast inputs and financial performance explanations.
Establish a formal operating cadence including pipeline reviews, contract status updates, milestone reviews, and customer satisfaction metrics.
QUALIFICATIONS Required Experience
15+ years of progressive experience in product management, finance, commercial/sales, or related roles in the automotive or automotive supply industry.
Strong understanding of customer business strategies globally and regionally, Tier 1 product planning, engineering principles, and manufacturing strategies.
Global experience with cross‑cultural awareness and execution styles.
Experience leading teams in both direct and matrixed environments and driving accountability and high performance across the organization.
Required Education
Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field required.
Master’s degree in business, engineering, or a related discipline preferred.
Required Skills & Abilities
Excellent communication skills for engaging with customers and internal stakeholders at all levels.
Strong leadership capability across multidisciplinary, geographically dispersed teams.
Advanced analytical skills with the ability to evaluate business cases, understand product development requirements, and create actionable strategies.
Strong planning and problem‑solving abilities to mitigate risks and prevent delays or business loss. Strategic thinker with strong tactical execution discipline.
Ability to work independently with high professional standards.
Proven success in collaborative, participative management environments.
Understanding of customer cost structures and OEM sourcing and award processes.
PRIMARY LOCATION Central Tech Unit Plymouth MI
#J-18808-Ljbffr