Clay Modeling Manager

The Clay Modeling Manager provides strategic leadership for the Clay Modeling organization, ensuring the successful execution of design development programs through effective workforce planning, resource optimization, talent development, labor relations, and operational excellence. This role leads a team of Studio Clay Supervisors and is accountable for balancing program requirements with organizational capability, capacity, safety, and employee engagement objectives.

The position serves as a key partner to Design Leadership, Program Management, Human Resources, Labor Relations, and Studio Operations in establishing priorities, developing workforce strategies, and maintaining the technical and organizational capabilities required to support current and future vehicle programs.

Key Responsibilities include but not limited to: 

Organizational Leadership:

• Lead, mentor, and develop Studio Clay Supervisors while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Drive organizational effectiveness through consistent application of performance management processes, employee development strategies, and succession planning
• Establish and maintain clear operating standards, ensuring consistency across teams, programs, and studio activities
• Provide leadership and guidance regarding workforce engagement, employee relations, and organizational change initiatives

Strategic Workforce Planning:

• Develop and execute short- and long-term workforce strategies to support evolving program requirements and future business needs
• Assess organizational capacity and capability to ensure appropriate staffing levels across multiple concurrent design programs
• Create strategic workload projections and resource allocation plans to support leadership decision-making
• Identify future workforce requirements and partner with leadership to address potential resource gaps.
  Program and Resource Management
• Direct organizational resource allocation across vehicle programs, concept development activities, and advanced design initiatives
• Establish program priorities based on business objectives, design deliverables, timing milestones, and resource availability
• Evaluate workload demands and determine overtime requirements necessary to achieve program objectives while maintaining operational efficiency and budget considerations
• Monitor active programs and proactively manage risks affecting timing, quality, resources, or deliverables

Labor Relations and Employee Management:

• Serve as the primary interface with union leadership regarding workforce issues, contractual matters, staffing concerns, and workplace initiatives
• Navigate employee relations issues, including promotions, performance management, disciplinary actions, conflict resolution, and corrective action processes
• Partner with Human Resources and Labor Relations to ensure compliance with company policies, labor agreements, and employment regulations
• Promote positive labor-management relationships while supporting organizational goals and employee engagement

Talent Acquisition and Development:

• Partner with Human Resources to drive recruitment strategies, talent acquisition efforts, and succession planning initiatives.
• Lead the selection, development, and retention of highly skilled clay sculpting professionals
• Maintain strong relationships with local sculpting, design, art, and transportation design educational institutions to create a sustainable talent pipeline
• Champion employee development through structured training, mentoring, apprenticeship, and continuous learning opportunities
• Technical Leadership and Innovation
• Evaluate and implement new tools, materials, technologies, and processes to improve quality, efficiency, sustainability, and studio capability
• Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies to ensure organizational competitiveness.
• Provide strategic direction regarding equipment investments, technical standards, and capability development initiatives
• Support innovation efforts that enhance clay sculpting effectiveness and overall studio performance.
• Safety, Compliance, and Operational Excellence
• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations, workplace standards, environmental requirements, and company policies
• Oversee completion of required training, certifications, and workplace safety initiatives
• Promote a culture of safety, continuous improvement, and operational discipline
• Identify and implement processes that improve productivity, quality, and employee well-being.
• Executive Communication and Business Support
• Prepare and present workload forecasts, resource plans, organizational assessments, and program
• status updates to senior leadership
• Provide data-driven recommendations regarding staffing, investments, organizational capability, and operational priorities
• Support executive reviews, strategic planning discussions, budget considerations, and program governance activities
• Serve as a trusted advisor to management regarding workforce strategy, program execution, and organizational readiness

Basic Qualifications: 

• High School Diploma/GED
• 7 years of Clay Modeling or Clay Model Supervisor experience
• Extensive experience in automotive clay sculpting, model development, or studio operations
• Demonstrated success leading leaders, supervisors, and highly skilled technical organizations
• Experience developing workforce strategies, managing resources across multiple programs, and supporting executive decision-making
• Experience working within a unionized environment and navigating complex employee relations matters

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Transportation Design, Fine Arts, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field