Top 10: Chief Manufacturing Officers

Across the manufacturing sector, Chief Manufacturing Officers are leading their teams in building top products, in safe working environments. Here are the best Chief Manufacturing Officers from some of the biggest manufacturers, General Motors, Toyota, Boeing, Samsung, ABB, Foxconn, Volkswagen, Ford, Apple & GE Digital. 

10. Gerald Johnson

General Motors

General Motors recently announced the retirement of Gerald Johnson, Executive Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Sustainability, after a 44-year career at the company. 

“Gerald’s leadership, vision and relentless pursuit of excellence in manufacturing have left an indelible mark on GM,” said Mary Barra, GM Chair and CEO. 

Johnson was known for his role in supporting GM’s manufacturing and as a respected leader who spent time on the shop floor, with a catchphrase: “Every day in a plant is a good day.” 

9. Masamichi Okada

Toyota Motor Corporation

Born in 1961, Masamichi Okada graduated from Tokyo University with a BA in engineering and joined Toyota Motor Corporation.

In 2008, Mr. Okada was appointed General Manager, Kamigo Plant Engine Component Division and later in 2012, he was made General Manager of Foundry Engineering Division. This was followed by a promotion to Executive General Manager and became plant general manager of Miyoshi Plant and Plant General Manager of Myochi Plant. Finally, in 2020, he was promoted to Operating Officer and Chief Production Officer, where he successfully steered the company through COVID-19.

8. Kim Pastega

Boeing

Kim Pastega is Vice President of Manufacturing and Safety for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, as well as the Chair of the Boeing Manufacturing Operations Council. 

Kim leads manufacturing excellence across the global organisation and is responsible for ensuring the aeroplane production with the environment and safety in mind, including workplace safety. Pastega earned a BA in aerospace engineering from Iowa State University, where she is also a member of the College of Engineering Advisory Board. 

Read more about Boeing’s manufacturing processes here. 

7. Julian Joe

Samsung Electronics

Julian Joe is the Global Manufacturing Executive Leader at Samsung Electronics. 

Julian has a BS in electrical engineering at the University of Utah and an MA in Management from Wilmington University. Before his work at Samsung, he worked at Daimler Chrysler as Controls Engineering Manager and FCA Fiat, 2006 - 2015. Throughout this time, he accumulated skills in leadership and manufacturing organisational excellence, as well as experiences in consumer electronics, automotive, powertrain manufacturing technology planning and execution.

6. Mark Moyer

GE Digital

Based in the Greater Phoenix Area, Mark Moyer is the Chief Commercial Officer - Manufacturing GEX at GE Digital, where he accelerates the path to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy. 

Previously, Mark worked at Schneider Electric for 12 years across business development. In 2003, he moved to GE Intelligent Platforms as Director of Commercial Partnerships. 

Mark joined GE Digital in 2021, as Director of Global Sales and Digital Transformation, before being promoted to his current role. 

5. Chen-Ting Wu

Foxconn Technology Group

Based in Hsinchu City, Taiwan, Chen-Ting Wu is the Director of Smart Manufacturing at Foxconn Industrial Internet. He has a PhD from National Tsing Hua University in Industrial Engineering, where he specialised in mathematical programming, machine learning and data mining.

Chen-Ting led energy policy planning and analysis at the Taiwan Bureau of Energy. He has over a decade of experience in leading large-scale projects in data analysis and solution implementation, as well as experience in smart manufacturing and AI solutions within the advanced electronics industry.

4. Richard Kenedi

GE Vernova

Richard Kenedi studied electrical engineering at the University of Toronto and earned an MBA in international business. After a career at Tektronix Communications and NETSCOUT, he’s now Senior Executive and General Manager for Proficy, Manufacturing Software at GE Vernova. 

In 2023, GE Digital’s Proficy Smart Factory (MES) software, was recognised by Gartner as a leader in the April 2023 Magic Quadrant for Manufacturing Execution Systems.

“It's an honour to see, for a second year in a row, that the GE Digital Proficy Smart Factory (MES) software solution was recognised by Gartner.”

3. Gary Johnson

Ford Motor Company  

Born in 1964, Garyt has a BA from Central Michigan University and has worked in manufacturing for more than three decades. 

Since 2018, Gary Johnson has worked at Ford’s Group Vice President, Manufacturing and Labour Affairs. In his role, he is responsible for overseeing operations at every Ford assembly, stamping and powertrain plant. He’s also at the forefront of engineering support for stamping, vehicle and powertrain manufacturing. 

Previously, in his career Johnson was Vice President of North America Manufacturing, where he managed Ford’s 30 manufacturing plants across North America. Prior to this, Johnson was Vice President of Manufacturing Operations for Asia Pacific, working in China, India and Thailand.

2. Sabih Khan

Apple

After first joining Apple in 1995, Sabih Khan worked up the career ladder and is now the Senior Vice President of Operations. He earned BA’s in Economics and Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University and an MA in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Now, Sabih leads Apple’s global supply chain, overseeing product quality, planning, procurement, logistics and product fulfilment functions, in addition to managing Apple’s supplier responsibilities. Sabih is passionate about protecting and educating workers at Apple’s production facilities all across the world. Sabih and his operations team also supports Apple’s environmental policies, through building partnerships with suppliers to ensure green manufacturing. 

1. Markus Rodermann

ABB

Based in Zurich, Switzerland, Markus Rodermann is the Vice President Global Advanced Manufacturing at ABB Motors and Generators. He earned a degree in Applied Sciences from FH Aachen University, 1990 - 1996. 

Markus’ first role at ABB started in 1997, as Combustor Development Engineer. He then went onto work at Alstom Power, from Lead Engineer to Director of Research and Development. At GE Power, he worked as Manager of Manufacturing Technology in 2015. 

Finally in 2018, Markus arrived back at ABB, where he spearheads digital transformation and the integration of digital solutions. He’s also a leader in the industrialisation of new manufacturing technologies and supporting transition projects at factories. Markus also works alongside universities, to encourage students to consider a career in manufacturing. 

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