Nissan North America said David Johnson, currently head of production engineering and new model quality will head manufacturing at the Smyrna vehicle assembly plant from 1 October.
He’ll be responsible for plant operations, including productivity, quality, safety and environmental compliance.
Johnson joined Nissan in 2002 and has held senior management roles within the company’s US and UK manufacturing operations.
He will be swapping roles with Jeff Younginer who will now head teams across the US and Mexico to ensure the highest level of vehicle quality at maximum output.
Younginer joined Nissan in 2006, holding roles of increasing responsibility within the company’s US manufacturing operations.
Most recently, Johnson and Younginer worked together to launch the redesigned Nissan Rogue and Pathfinder, and the new Infiniti QX60 which will be available this autumn.