The Renault-Nissan Alliance's new manufacturing, supply chain and purchasing chief is a former production controller who started his Nissan career with the automaker's assembly plant in Sunderland in 1991.
John Martin, currently senior vice president, manufacturing, supply chain management and purchasing, Nissan North America, has been named executive vice president, Alliance manufacturing engineering and supply chain management.
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The converged manufacturing function covers global industrial strategy (including sourcing), production process engineering, production control and supply chain management.
In his new role, effective 1 October, Martin will be in charge of further accelerating integration within the function and increasing operational synergies. he will report to Thierry Bollore, Renault chief competitive officer and Yasuhiro Yamauchi, Nissan chief competitive officer.
Heath Holtz, currently vice president, manufacturing, Nissan Smyrna assembly plant, will replace Martin, responsible for managing all facets of Nissan's manufacturing operations in the US and Mexico, including all supply chain and purchasing operations.
Holtz was named vice president in Smyrna in 2016 after assignments in both Japan and the UK, heading supply chain management and purchasing teams. He will report to Jose Munoz, chief performance officer, Nissan Motor and chairman of Nissan North America.
Jeff Younginer, currently director, product quality, Smyrna, replaces Holtz, responsible for the operation of the Smyrna plant, including safety, quality, operations, productivity and environmental compliance. He will report to Holtz.
"Martin has been a key member of the North American management team since January 2014, and his strategic direction has helped our region grow significantly over the Nissan Power 88 period," said Munoz. "We are pleased to have strong leaders in the region ready to take the reins and continue driving our business success here in North America."
