Michael Youngs

About Michael Youngs

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE:I am a high-impact senior leader with thirty-plus years of progressively more responsible experience in a wide range of roles with a best-in-class manufacturer in advanced manufacturing. Colleagues would describe me as an empowering leader with the unique ability to inspire, motivate and manage for results in a hyper-competitive industry where quality, customer loyalty and first-mover advantage are critical. Throughout my career, I have always worked to be a catalyst for change, a champion for modernization and a trailblazer in navigating digital, cultural and operational shifts in dynamic markets. I am best in people-centric roles calling for an agile, authentic bridge-builder that unites cross-functional teams around mutual purpose and a shared sense of vision.AREAS OF EXPERTISE: Strategic Vision and Planning. Masterful in crafting and articulating a compelling, forward-looking vision that aligns seamlessly with strategic business objectives and anticipates emerging industry trends—mobilizing teams and stakeholders toward sustainable growth & innovation. Business Acumen. Comprehensive knowledge & deep understanding of the key drivers and levers that drive operational execution and maximize throughput, with a strong focus on managing budgets, forecasts, safety compliance & quality assurance. Business Transformation. Innovative, agile & adept at leading change management initiatives, with a proven ability to swiftly adapt to evolving technologies, shifting market dynamics & organizational transformation. Operational Excellence. Highly skilled at identifying the critical path within complex manufacturing environments, driving optimization across plant production, supply chain logistics, and quality control to unlock efficiencies, mitigate risks & capitalize on strategic opportunities. Labor-Management Relations. Proven track record leading labor relations in unionized environments, fostering collaborative partnerships w/union leadership while effectively managing negotiations, grievance resolutions, & contract compliance to support operational goals and workforce stability. Product Launch. Extensive expertise in product development & overseeing tooling, equipment installation and validation builds. Skilled in benchmarking and innovation to drive continuous improvement & optimizing manufacturing cost-per-unit by balancing investment, piece cost & headcount—fostering cross-functional alignment.LET\'S CONNECT:I am always eager to network with similar professionals. Reach me via LinkedIn or M••••••••@gmail.com.

Experience

1. Plant Director

   General Motors

   Jan 2022 — Present

   Promoted to position overseeing all aspects of plant operations for this high-volume automotive manufacturing facility, including managing production, quality, safety and workforce engagement with full-charge responsibility for the performance, safety and wellbeing of over 2,200 hourly and salary employees. Drove continuous improvement initiatives that enhanced productivity, reduced costs and improved product quality. Collaborated with engineering, supply chain and labor unions to optimize processes and ensure regulatory compliance. Fostered a culture of operational excellence and employee development, consistently achieving on-time delivery and exceeding performance targets. Select results achieved: Achieved top-quartile performance in hours-per-unit and cost-per-unit across North and South America by driving productivity gains and effectively managing a multi-million-dollar operating budget. Consistently delivered 5% annual productivity improvements by leading automation initiatives and optimizing line balancing activities—efforts that enhanced operational efficiency, reduced manual labor and improved overall production flow. Achieved best-in-class launch performance for the 2024 Cadillac XT4 by rigorously analyzing quality metrics across multiple launch checkpoints—ensuring exceptional standards and a smooth rollout. Improved employee engagement by 33% and inclusion by 23% in the company-wide 2022 Workplace of Choice survey, reaching levels close to the top quartile of industry standards. Serve as the executive champion for the African American employee resource group.

Education

• Oklahoma State University

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Electrical Engineering

Skills

• Automotive
• Lean Manufacturing
• Engineering Management
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Six Sigma
• Product Launch
• Continuous Improvement
• Manufacturing Operations Management
• Fmea
• Value Stream Mapping
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Leadership
• 5s
• Kaizen
• Manufacturing
• Product Development