Body Shop Maintenance Planner

Job Description

This job may be eligible for relocation benefits

GM DOES NOT PROVIDE IMMIGRATION-RELATED SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE. DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS ROLE IF YOU WILL NEED GM IMMIGRATION SPONSORSHIP (e.g., H-1B, TN, STEM OPT, etc.) NOW OR IN THE FUTURE.

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:

The Maintenance Planner supports a technical maintenance team across multiple shifts, supporting operational readiness, equipment reliability, and strategic improvements. This role is responsible for coordinating skilled trades, managing change initiatives, and driving process improvements aligned with GM’s Business Plan Deployment (BPD) framework. The planner plays a key role in cross-functional collaboration, compliance, and continuous improvement.

What You'll Do:

As a Maintenance Planner, you will support a team of skilled trades supervisors and technicians, supporting both day-to-day operations and long-term strategic initiatives. You’ll serve as a champion for safety, environmental compliance, and workplace standards, while driving uptime, efficiency, and labor utilization. This role requires strong leadership, technical expertise, and the ability to manage complex projects and cross-functional teams.

• Manage technical and operational changes through multiple model year changeovers and maintenance downtimes.

• Develop weekend and holiday work activities aligning with the overall shop strategy.

• Represent General Assembly as the Environmental Champion and Workplace Safety System Champion.

• Coordinate and lead the Doc. 152 Program to support supplemental skilled trades manpower.

• Drive process improvements using BPD, Lean principles, and KPI-driven visual management systems.

• Lead cross-functional initiatives to improve uptime, efficiency, and labor utilization.

• Develop and execute business plans aligned with plant goals.

• Mentor and develop skilled trades and salaried employees through structured training and coaching.

• Manage represented employees in compliance with CBAs and labor relations best practices.

• Negotiate with union leadership and vendors to resolve issues and secure favorable outcomes.

• Lead complex maintenance and engineering projects from planning to execution.

Work Schedule

• This role may require overtime and could be assigned to an off-shift (2nd or 3rd shift) based on operational needs.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in automotive manufacturing and maintenance operations.

• Proven leadership in managing unionized skilled trades teams and salaried staff.

• Strong background in change management, team building, and business planning.

• Experience with OSHA-regulated standards and environmental compliance.

• Skilled in project management, vendor coordination, and budget control.

• Proficiency in Lean Manufacturing, BPD, and process improvement methodologies.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge

• Experience leading maintenance strategy transitions and technology upgrades.

• Track record of improving labor-management relationships and team engagement.

• Strong negotiation skills with union leadership and external vendors.

• Ability to align cross-functional stakeholders and drive strategic initiatives.

• Deep understanding of GM systems, standards, and manufacturing culture.

• Passion for continuous improvement and operational excellence.

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 team.

Benefits Overview

From day one, we're looking out for your well-being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.

All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.

We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.

Accommodations

General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.