JULIO A. MANZANERA GARCIA
San Luis Potosí
Summary
Result Driven manufacturing and operational excellence executive with more than two decades of progressive leadership experience across plant management, Lean transformation, engineering, maintenance, logistics, supply chain, production systems, and supplier quality within the automotive and industrial manufacturing sectors. Brings a strong record of leading complex manufacturing environments, developing operational strategies, coordinating cross-functional teams, introducing new production capabilities, and embedding continuous-improvement practices into daily operations. Highly knowledgeable in Toyota Production System principles, Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Six Sigma, JIT, Kanban, 5S, SMED, OPEX, production systems, and manufacturing-flow optimization. Experienced in supporting multinational operations and developing manufacturing capabilities across Mexico, Brazil, Spain, the United States, China, and Korea. Combines strategic management with practical shop-floor expertise, employee development, project execution, and process standardization. Trilingual professional with fluency in Spanish, English, and Portuguese and a BA in Industrial Electronic Engineering.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Vernicolor Mexico
01.2026 - 08.2026
- Provided senior-level direction for plant operations, coordinating manufacturing priorities with broader commercial and organizational objectives.
- Established management routines for monitoring production performance and identifying areas requiring operational attention or corrective action.
- Coordinated the integration of newly introduced equipment into manufacturing activities while ensuring operational teams were prepared for production requirements.
Engineering / Maintenance Manager
ZOPPAS (ZIM) MEXICO
01.2020 - 12.2023
- Managed engineering and maintenance activities supporting equipment performance, production continuity, and manufacturing development.
- Coordinated technical preparation for new equipment and helped transition newly introduced production assets into operational use.
- Developed structured equipment documentation to improve technical visibility and facilitate future maintenance and operational activities.
Lean Manufacturing Head America
Minebea Mitsumi Group
01.2023 - 11.2023
- Led regional Lean Manufacturing initiatives across manufacturing operations in Mexico, Brazil, and the United States.
- Worked with plant leadership to evaluate existing production practices and establish practical improvement priorities for individual facilities.
- Developed regional approaches for identifying operational waste and improving the utilization of manufacturing resources.
Logistics and Lean Expert
JULMAN LEAN SERVICES MEXICO
01.2018 - 12.2020
- Provided consulting expertise to manufacturing organizations requiring improvements in logistics, material flow, production processes, and Lean practices.
- Assessed manufacturing layouts and developed alternative material-flow arrangements to improve movement between storage and production areas.
- Supported the establishment of controlled inventory-flow practices designed around production requirements and material availability.
OPEX Regional Manager Lighting Operations Mexico
HELLA, Irapuato Gto. Mexico
01.2016 - 12.2018
- Directed regional operational-excellence activities supporting multiple automotive lighting manufacturing locations.
- Worked with plant managers and functional leaders to translate corporate OPEX expectations into site-specific improvement programs.
- Evaluated manufacturing practices across facilities and encouraged the adoption of standardized approaches to operational management.
Materials & Logistics Manager Frames Operations
Faurecia, San Luis Potosí México
01.2015 - 12.2016
- Directed materials-management and logistics activities supporting frame manufacturing operations across multiple facilities.
- Coordinated warehouse and production-supply activities to maintain an organized flow of raw materials into manufacturing areas.
- Managed logistics planning associated with the movement of materials between manufacturing locations.
Materials & Logistics Director North America
METHODE, Monterrey, Mexico
01.2013 - 12.2015
- Directed regional materials and logistics functions supporting manufacturing operations throughout North America.
- Established coordination processes for raw-material and subassembly movement between manufacturing facilities.
- Worked with plant leadership to align material requirements with production schedules and changing operational priorities.
Engineering Manager
KTMEX, Aguascalientes, Mexico
01.2012 - 12.2013
- Managed engineering activities supporting manufacturing development, equipment introduction, and new-business implementation.
- Translated project specifications into practical manufacturing-flow concepts for the Aguascalientes operation.
- Coordinated technical preparation and implementation activities associated with newly introduced production equipment.
Lean Director and Plant Manager
ASTEELFLASH, North America
01.2011 - 12.2012
- Directed plant operations while simultaneously providing leadership for Lean Manufacturing activities within the North American organization.
- Coordinated production resources and departmental activities to maintain effective day-to-day manufacturing execution.
- Established operational priorities for the California facility while maintaining alignment with broader organizational expectations.
Lean and Supply Chain Manager North American Operation
VALEO TRANSMISSIONS, San Luis Potosí, México
01.2009 - 12.2011
- Managed the relationship between Lean Manufacturing initiatives and supply-chain activities supporting North American operations.
- Reviewed internal material-flow structures and developed approaches for improving the connection between production requirements and logistics resources.
- Coordinated the development of internal logistics arrangements supporting manufacturing activities and material availability.
Valeo Production Systems Branch Manager, Lean Manufacturing
VALEO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BRANCH
01.2007 - 12.2009
- Provided branch-level leadership for Valeo Production System activities across operations in North America, China, Korea, and Brazil.
- Coordinated the adoption of production-system practices while considering the operational characteristics of individual divisions and locations.
- Worked with local management teams to identify process weaknesses and establish structured improvement priorities.
Supplier Quality Manager
Valeo Sistemas Electronicos, Rio Bravo, Mexico
01.2006 - 12.2007
- Managed supplier-development activities focused on strengthening manufacturing quality, delivery performance, and process discipline.
- Coordinated supplier-improvement programs addressing quality concerns, cost considerations, delivery expectations, and corrective actions.
- Introduced structured QRQC practices to improve supplier response to manufacturing and quality problems.
Valeo Production Supply Manager, Lean Manufacturing
VALEO SISTEMAS ELECTRONICOS, Rio Bravo, México
01.2003 - 12.2006
- Managed production-supply activities connecting manufacturing requirements with material organization and Lean operating practices.
- Applied Valeo Production System tools to improve the structure and consistency of production-support activities.
- Reviewed material-storage arrangements and supported the development of more practical plant-layout configurations.
Education
BA - Industrial Electronic Engineer
Instituto Tecnológico de Durango
Skills
- Executive Leadership
- Plant Management
- Lean Leadership
- Operations Strategy
- Process Improvement
- Team Development
- Project Management
- Supply Management
- Change Leadership
- Strategic Planning
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Lean Manufacturing || Toyota Production || Six Sigma Methods || Kaizen Workshops || Value Stream || SMED Techniques || Kanban Systems || JIT Manufacturing || 5S Methodology || Production Planning
Timeline
General Manager
Vernicolor Mexico
01.2026 - 08.2026
Lean Manufacturing Head America
Minebea Mitsumi Group
01.2023 - 11.2023
Engineering / Maintenance Manager
ZOPPAS (ZIM) MEXICO
01.2020 - 12.2023
Logistics and Lean Expert
JULMAN LEAN SERVICES MEXICO
01.2018 - 12.2020
OPEX Regional Manager Lighting Operations Mexico
HELLA, Irapuato Gto. Mexico
01.2016 - 12.2018
Materials & Logistics Manager Frames Operations
Faurecia, San Luis Potosí México
01.2015 - 12.2016
Materials & Logistics Director North America
METHODE, Monterrey, Mexico
01.2013 - 12.2015
Engineering Manager
KTMEX, Aguascalientes, Mexico
01.2012 - 12.2013
Lean Director and Plant Manager
ASTEELFLASH, North America
01.2011 - 12.2012
Lean and Supply Chain Manager North American Operation
VALEO TRANSMISSIONS, San Luis Potosí, México
01.2009 - 12.2011
Valeo Production Systems Branch Manager, Lean Manufacturing
VALEO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BRANCH
01.2007 - 12.2009
Supplier Quality Manager
Valeo Sistemas Electronicos, Rio Bravo, Mexico
01.2006 - 12.2007
Valeo Production Supply Manager, Lean Manufacturing
VALEO SISTEMAS ELECTRONICOS, Rio Bravo, México
01.2003 - 12.2006
BA - Industrial Electronic Engineer
Instituto Tecnológico de Durango