Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Job Summary The Senior Manager of Manufacturing Engineering is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating engineering, operations excellence, automation, and maintenance activities across the plant to ensure efficient and reliable manufacturing operations. This role drives the introduction of new products, develops processes to increase productivity, supports on-time delivery, and reduces costs through improved production methods. As part of the plant leadership team, this leader ensures Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, and Productivity targets are achieved through strong Lean Manufacturing practices. If you want to know about the requirements for this role, read on for all the relevant information. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Operations Lead and oversee a manufacturing engineering team of approximately six professionals. Plan, organize, and assign departmental workloads to maximize personnel efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional leadership to establish priorities and align departmental goals. Direct the selection, training, performance management, and development of department staff. Represent manufacturing engineering in product development initiatives and ensure manufacturability. Process Improvement & Lean Implementation Drive Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing initiatives across the facility. Implement world-class operational excellence capabilities and best practices. Analyze and improve manufacturing processes to reduce costs, improve throughput, and increase efficiency. Support problem-solving and performance improvement efforts across all operational levels. Engineering & Equipment Management Coordinate plant layout design, tooling, machinery, equipment upgrades, and process changes. Manage capital equipment acquisition, installation, and commissioning. Oversee tooling operations to ensure accuracy, quality, and safety compliance. Maintain preventive maintenance (PM) requirements, schedules, and execution performance. Maintain critical spare parts inventories and equipment specifications to ensure operational readiness. Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with production, quality, safety, and inventory planning teams to ensure operational alignment. Partner with internal stakeholders to evaluate vendors, equipment options, and process enhancements. Collaborate with maintenance teams to ensure equipment reliability and support production needs. Consult with engineering, purchasing, suppliers, and production leadership regarding improvements, tooling, materials, and process optimization. Budgeting & Compliance Prepare and manage the departmental budget. Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and internal policies. Monitor plant downtime and implement corrective actions to maintain availability goals. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience). Minimum 10 years of manufacturing leadership experience. Experience managing direct reports (e.g., Production Managers) and a diverse workforce. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills. Proven supervisory and leadership capabilities. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Advanced knowledge and hands-on experience with Lean Manufacturing / Toyota Production System (7–10 years required). SAP proficiency required. Experience working in high-mix, low-volume production environments. Flexible schedule and ability to support operations as needed. Preferred Qualifications Six Sigma certification (strong plus). Experience with ADP HRIS & payroll systems. Strong communication skills and ability to interact effectively across all organizational levels. Ability to manage complex projects and lead cross-functional teams. xrczosw Demonstrated success in Continuous Improvement leadership. Competencies Leadership & Teamwork Analytical Thinking Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Communication & Interpersonal Skills Planning & Organizational Skills Confidentiality & Professionalism Customer Service Orientation Quality and Productivity Focus