At A-dec, we do more than create the highest quality products and services for the dental industry; we strive to deliver a superior employment experience for each of our team members. With an environment that encourages and assists each person in developing to their highest potential, a career at A-dec is incredibly rewarding.
Overview
The Manager, Manufacturing Engineering – Department leads the Manufacturing Engineering team supporting an assigned manufacturing operation. This role partners with Production and cross-functional leaders to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and capacity performance while developing technical talent, advancing manufacturing capability, executing capital and improvement initiatives, and sustaining new products and processes following transfer into production.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Leads, coaches, and develops Manufacturing Engineers, Manufacturing Engineering Technicians, and other assigned technical resources.
- Establishes department engineering priorities and allocates resources across production support, quality improvement, continuous improvement, capacity and capability expansion, capital projects, and product and process stabilization.
- Partners with Production leadership to identify priorities and improve department-level safety, quality, delivery, cost, and capacity performance from an engineering perspective.
- Owns the technical governance of manufacturing processes within assigned department(s), ensuring processes are capable, standardized, controlled, and supported by accurate manufacturing documentation, work instructions, tooling, fixtures, and process controls.
- Leads Manufacturing Engineering response to production and process issues, ensuring recurring problems progress from containment through root cause analysis, corrective action, and sustained resolution.
- Leads or assigns resources to drive improvements in process capability, flow, quality, productivity, ergonomics, equipment utilization, labor efficiency, and waste reduction using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, value stream mapping, standard work, and other structured improvement methods.
- Partners with Production leadership to develop, maintain, and utilize department capacity and capability models that support operating plans and capital roadmaps for equipment, tooling, automation, and infrastructure needs.
- Leads or assigns resources to execute capital and manufacturing improvement projects, ensuring effective scope, technical requirements, schedule, budget, implementation, production readiness, and results.
- Partners with Maintenance, Facilities, Automation, and other technical functions to improve equipment and process performance and ensure reliability, maintainability, and lifecycle requirements are addressed during equipment implementation.
- Partners with Manufacturing Engineering Development during NPI/NPD and assumes department-level engineering ownership for stabilization and sustained process performance following transfer into production.
- Owns the Manufacturing Engineering operating budget for the assigned area and supports department-level capital planning and forecasting.
- Communicates department priorities, performance, risks, project status, budgets, and resource requirements to Manufacturing leadership.
Assignment Specific Technical Scope
- Furniture: Mixed machining, assembly, packaging, and warehouse operations, CNC programming, woodworking processes, build-to-order configured products, tooling, kitting and material flow, and related manufacturing equipment; may work closely with or lead CNC Programming resources.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong leadership, coaching, and team-development capability.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing engineering principles, production systems, process capability, and technical process governance.
- Strong structured problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
- Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, value stream mapping, standard work, and continuous improvement.
- Knowledge of FMEA, SPC, corrective action, process validation, process capability, and manufacturing quality systems.
- Strong capability in capacity planning, capital equipment implementation, and manufacturing project execution.
- Ability to analyze manufacturing data and translate performance trends into priorities and actions.
- Working knowledge of manufacturing equipment, tooling, automation, process documentation, ERP, PLM, QMS, and digital manufacturing solutions.
- Strong cross-functional collaboration, communication, and influencing skills.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, mechanical, industrial, or a related engineering discipline; equivalent education and relevant experience may be considered.
- 10+ years of manufacturing engineering or related manufacturing experience.
- 5+ years of engineering or technical leadership experience.
- Demonstrated experience leading production support, process improvement, capacity or capability development, and capital projects.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in complex, vertically integrated, or regulated manufacturing environments.
- Working knowledge of CNC machining/programming, tooling, automation, assembly systems, or related manufacturing technologies.
- Experience leading or working closely with specialized technical resources such as CNC programmers.
- Experience managing engineering operating budgets and supporting capital planning.
- Lean, Six Sigma, project management, or related professional certification.
Physical Requirements:
Ability to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise maneuver up to 35 pounds with or without assistance on a routine basis. Must have manual hand dexterity to grasp, operate tools and equipment repetitively. Able to walk, stand, sit, bend, reach, and occasionally kneel, climb steps, and twist throughout an entire shift. Some areas may be exposed to chemicals, noise, vibration and /or dust, and require the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); such as, but not limited to safety glasses, hearing protection, foot protection, etc.
Disclaimer
This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not to be construed as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. A-dec reserves the right to assign job duties and days and hours of work based on factors such as workload requirements, staffing levels, and customer demands.
At A-dec, we value our people and show it by prioritizing an inclusive culture, total well-being, and opportunities for learning and career advancement.
A background check and screen for the illegal use of drugs is required.
A-dec is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. In addition, A-dec will not discriminate against applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another. *VEVRAA Federal Contractor”
A-dec is interested in qualified candidates authorized to work in the United States for US-based positions. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas.
