Eric Rhodes
About Eric Rhodes
Eric Rhodes serves as the Director of Operations for Powertrain Operations at Harley-Davidson Motor Company, overseeing a team of over 800 employees and the production of critical powertrains. He has extensive experience in the automotive industry, having worked in various roles at Harley-Davidson since 1995 and holding an M.B.A. from Marquette University.
Current Role at Harley-Davidson
Eric Rhodes serves as the Director of Operations for Powertrain Operations at Harley-Davidson Motor Company. He has held this position since 2021, managing a team of over 800 employees at the Pilgrim Road Powertrain Operations facility. In this role, he oversees the production of powertrains that are essential to Harley-Davidson's global operations, including those for the Thailand plant and the H-D Parts & Accessories business.
Previous Experience at Harley-Davidson
Eric Rhodes has extensive experience at Harley-Davidson Motor Company, having worked there in various capacities from 1995 to 2020. His roles included Manufacturing Engineer, Quality Manager for Powertrain Operations, Director of Quality Planning & Performance, and Global Advanced Manufacturing. This cumulative experience spans over 20 years, during which he contributed to maintaining a best-in-class safety record at the Pilgrim Road Powertrain Operations.
Education and Expertise
Eric Rhodes holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Marquette University, where he studied from 1996 to 2001. He also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University, completing his studies from 1988 to 1992. His educational background supports his expertise in operations and engineering within the manufacturing sector.
Early Career Background
Before joining Harley-Davidson, Eric Rhodes worked as a Manufacturing Engineer at Cooper Industries, Inc. from 1992 to 1995, with locations in York, PA, and Ottumwa, IA. His early career laid the foundation for his later roles in manufacturing and operations management within the motorcycle industry.