Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Thomasville, Georgia

This company a privately held, custom manufacturing services supplier of semi-finished and finished components and assemblies for the aerospace, power generation, rail, off highway, automotive and other industry industries.

Headquartered in Thomasville, Georgia , the company has divisions in Cleveland, Everett, WA; Kent WA; Newington, CT; Santa Fe Springs, CA; Thomasville, GA; Utica, NY; and Wichita, KS.

The Thomasville division produces large and medium fan blades, vanes, small compressor blades, and structural components primarily for the aerospace industry.

This position is located in the Thomasville facility.

POSITION DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

Reporting directly to the General Manager and working directly with other key managerial peers the Engineering Manager will have primary responsibility for building greater organizational capability (through people, process, equipment, methods and facility) within the Manufacturing Engineering Department and throughout the organization. It is expected that the Engineering Manager will provide more sophisticated direction which will ultimately ensure that the company profitably meets customer expectations for quality and delivery. It is further expected that the Engineering Manager will create continuous improvement in the overall performance of manufacturing engineering.

Additional responsibilities will include but not be limited to the following:

• Take direct responsibility for process or manufacturing engineering, tooling, programming (UG/ Master Cam/other), estimating through a staff of direct reports numbering six to ten.
• For the first thirty to ninety days at the direction of the General Manager evaluate and identify opportunities for improvements, develop and implement actions steps to initiate those improvements.
• Promote overall improvement to process flows, quality improvements, lead and cycle time improvements, cost reductions and on time delivery.
• Evaluate existing staff and recommend areas of improvement for individuals, setting specific action steps and goals.
• Work closely with all peers to accomplish the common goal.
• Represent the engineering group in inter-departmental meetings, executive meetings or conferences.
• Conduct economic studies and prepare or lead the preparation of cost justifications, equipment and capital improvements.
• Be a strong presence on the manufacturing floor, resolving manufacturing, process, production and potential design problems.
• Direct engineering staff in the development of processes, manufacturing procedures, process and routing sheets including the final design with tooling, jig, fixture or holding device selection.
• Direct the shop floor in all areas including machining, assembly, programming and quality.
• Work directly with customers as required.
• Eventually help the organization win new business by developing and expanding capabilities.
• Carry out special projects at the direction of the General Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

In general this position requires an individual to possess as well as evidence thorough knowledge of the engineering, design and manufacture of precision machined aerospace components. In addition this individual should be a proven, successful manager with considerable knowledge of the engineering disciplines relating to the manufacture of precision machined components to include quality, CNC programming, materials, production, process and manufacturing engineering and other related disciplines so as to be a resource to the group and across disciplines. Additional qualifications include but are not limited to the following:

• Having achieved a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering or a related technical engineering discipline. Advanced Degree is highly preferred. Alternatively a special combination of education, skill and experience may suffice in lieu of a degree but is unlikely.
• Sigma certified preferably to Black Belt level.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be a proven, successful supervisor with strong professional references evidencing the same.
• Possessive of ten of more years experience within aerospace precision machined component manufacturing with a minimum of three years in a direct management capacity.
• A background in successfully implementing initiatives consistent with lean or continuous improvement practices. This should include the application of lean principals, 5S, pull production, cycle time analysis, set-up time reduction, kaizen and other process improvement related techniques.
• The ability and willingness to produce, through direct reports, finished process engineering designs, process and routing sheets and all required documentation.
• Knowledge of CAD, preferably Unigraphics is preferred but not required.
• Experience with capital equipment, facility improvements and other cost improvements and justifications.
• Strong communication skills consistent with a management role and characteristic of the ability to interface directly and effectively with customers, peers, subordinates and superiors.
• The ability to make group presentations to management, customers, peers or subordinates.
• Strong documentation skills consistent with FAA, government, DOD, military and or aerospace requirements.
• The ability and experience to do resource planning, participate in the budget and forecasting process and provide strategic recommendations.
• Can evidence successful initiatives resulting in process improvements, cost effectiveness, cost savings, or greater customer satisfaction.
• Has built successful teams or departments through effective management and leadership. This will be evidenced by the ability to recruit (hire), train, discipline, and make tough decisions regarding personnel to include replacement when required.

CHARACTERISTICS

In general this individual will be characterized by a sense of ownership, pride, and accountability with a strong desire to excel. Overall personality will be described as someone with a bias for action, genuine concern for a task well done and a sense of personal pride in his or her work. More specifically this individual will possess the following:

· An above average ability to communicate professionally.

· A strong personal, professional appearance.

· An engineering instinct and approach to solving problems.

· The ability to fit into a long-term succession plan evidenced by leadership characteristics and traits.

· The desire and ability to make things better than they found them.

· Is proactive and will take initiative independently, without prompting or a push from superiors…in fact will drive superiors to action.

· Possessive of un-compromised work ethic and personal integrity.

· Enjoys and can evidence building successful teams and plays an integral role as a management team member.

COMPENSATION

DOE within a range of $90,000 to $110,000. A discretionary bonus opportunity based on performance is part of this package. Relocation assistance is available within reason. Full benefits.