Body Shop Technical 8 - Shift Leader

Job Description

GM DOES NOT PROVIDE IMMIGRATION-RELATED SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE. DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS ROLE IF YOU WILL NEED GM IMMIGRATION SPONSORSHIP NOW OR IN THE FUTURE. THIS INCLUDES DIRECT COMPANY SPONSORSHIP, ENTRY OF GM AS THE IMMIGRATION EMPLOYER OF RECORD ON A GOVERNMENT FORM, AND ANY WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIRING A WRITTEN SUBMISSION OR OTHER IMMIGRATION SUPPORT FROM THE COMPANY (e.g., H-1B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.).

This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

Onsite: This role is categorized as onsite. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Orion, MI on a full-time basis.

The Role:
We are seeking a self-motivated, innovation-minded leader with a strong technical background and a proven record of driving operational excellence. As a Body Shop Technical 8 – Shift Leader, you will oversee multiple areas of our plant by managing maintenance and repair activities while leading a diverse team of maintenance professionals, production leaders, and technical support staff. This role is vital for ensuring Body Shop readiness by delivering creative problem-solving, decisive decision-making, and rigorous adherence to GM’s core principles of Safety, People, Quality, Responsiveness, Cost, and Environment (SPQRCE).

What You’ll Do:

• Lead Operations: Oversee the maintenance and repair of plant equipment and facilities, ensuring continuous production and high reliability.
• Team Coordination: Direct and coordinate cross-functional teams—including maintenance personnel, group leaders, and technical experts—to implement effective operational strategies.
• Project Management: Develop, plan, and manage project requirements and schedules, ensuring timely execution and quality outcomes.
• Policy Enforcement: Execute divisional and corporate policies, including safety protocols, local and national labor agreements, and quality standards.
• Dynamic Decision-Making: Balance production output, preventive maintenance, and cost controls while navigating the challenges of advanced automation, new launch activities, and unionized workforce dynamics.
• Mentorship: Mentor, train, and develop team members to continuously enhance technical skills and leadership capabilities.

Additional Job Description

Your Skills and Abilities (Required Qualifications):

• Experience: A minimum of 5 years in manufacturing maintenance or plant operations within an automotive environment, with demonstrable leadership in managing cross-functional teams.
• Technical Expertise: Strong background in body shop operations, including automated welding, fastening, sealing, and vision or measurement systems.
• Project & Budget Management: Proven skills in maintenance planning, project management, and budgeting to drive operational success.
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills, ensuring effective collaboration and adherence to safety standards.
• Compliance: Familiarity with and proven enforcement of local and national labor agreements and safety protocols.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Management, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.

What Will Give You a Competitive Advantage (Preferred Qualifications):

• Advanced Automation: Experience with cutting-edge digital manufacturing tools and automated systems specific to body shop operations.
• Dual Accountability: Demonstrated success in balancing production and maintenance functions, making rapid, data-driven decisions during complex operational shifts.
• Unionized Environment: Proven track record working within unionized settings, with strong skills in labor relations and collaborative negotiation.
• Process Innovation: Expertise in synthesizing complex technical and operational data to facilitate effective process improvements during high-stakes product launches.
• Specialized Training: Advanced certifications or specialized training in automotive maintenance or body shop operations including AMRs/AFTs and Bin Picking Applications.

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us 

We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors