Manufacturing Engineering / CI Manager

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Summary
The Manufacturing engineering Manager / Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for leading manufacturing engineering, process optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives to improve operational performance, product quality, productivity, and cost efficiency within a wire harness manufacturing environment.

This role combines technical engineering leadership with a strong focus on Lean Manufacturing, process standardization, waste elimination, and operational excellence. The successful candidate will drive engineering solutions, implement continuous improvement strategies, and lead cross-functional teams to support production requirements, new product introductions, customer expectations, and long-term business objectives.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in automotive or commercial vehicle manufacturing, preferably in wire harness assembly, with a strong understanding of electrical harness manufacturing processes, production layouts, tooling, automation, and high-mix manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities and Main Activities:

1. Manufacturing Engineering Leadership

· Lead and develop the manufacturing engineering team, establishing priorities, performance expectations, and technical standards.

· Oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes, work instructions, production layouts, tooling, fixtures, and equipment.

· Ensure manufacturing processes are capable, efficient, repeatable, and aligned with customer and quality requirements.

· Support new product introductions, engineering changes, process validations, and production launches from the manufacturing side.

· Drive standardization of manufacturing processes across production lines and workstations.

· Collaborate with Design Engineering, Quality, Operations, Maintenance, and Program Management to resolve technical and production challenges.

2. Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence

· Develop and execute a continuous improvement roadmap aligned with plant objectives and business priorities.

· Lead Lean Manufacturing initiatives, including Value Stream Mapping (VSM), 5S, Kaizen events, standardized work, waste elimination, and line balancing.

· Identify opportunities to improve labor productivity, manufacturing efficiency, throughput, scrap, rework, and overall equipment effectiveness where applicable.

· Lead process improvement projects focused on reducing manufacturing costs, cycle times, bottlenecks, and operational variation.

· Apply structured problem-solving methodologies, including root cause analysis, 5 Why, Fishbone diagrams, Red X problem solving and corrective and preventive actions.

· Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness and sustainability of improvement initiatives.

· Ensure improvements are documented, standardized, and sustained through effective follow-up

and process controls.

3. Wire Harness Manufacturing and Process Optimization

· Optimize wire cutting, stripping, crimping, terminal insertion, connector assembly, sealing, taping, bundling, and electrical testing processes.

· Evaluate production methods, workstation ergonomics, labor utilization, and material flow to improve efficiency and quality.

· Support the selection, implementation, and optimization of manufacturing equipment, automated processes, applicators, fixtures, and testing systems.

· Ensure manufacturing processes meet applicable customer specifications and industry quality standards.

· Partner with Quality Engineering to address crimp quality, terminal retention, continuity testing, dimensional requirements, and other process-related defects.

· Support engineering change implementation and ensure appropriate updates to process documentation, tooling, and production instructions.

4. Cost Reduction and Productivity Improvement

· Identify and lead initiatives to reduce conversion costs, labor hours, scrap, rework, overtime, and equipment-related losses.

· Develop business cases and return-on-investment analyses for engineering projects, automation, equipment upgrades, and process improvements.

· Monitor project performance against established cost, productivity, quality, and delivery targets.

· Work closely with Operations and Finance to validate savings and ensure improvement projects deliver measurable business results.

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration

· Partner with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Materials, Supply Chain, and Program Management to improve overall plant performance.

· Support customer requirements, production transfers, capacity planning, and new program launches.

· Lead cross-functional teams in resolving complex manufacturing issues and implementing sustainable solutions.

· Communicate project progress, risks, and results to plant leadership and other stakeholders.

6. Team Development and Leadership

· Lead, coach, and develop manufacturing engineers and continuous improvement personnel.

· Establish clear objectives, accountability, and development plans for team members.

· Foster a culture of continuous improvement, ownership, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making.

· Promote the adoption of engineering best practices and structured problem-solving throughout the organization.

Required Qualifications

· Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.

· Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, or continuous improvement within an industrial manufacturing environment.

· Minimum of 3–5 years of leadership or people management experience.

· Strong experience in automotive, commercial vehicle, or wire harness manufacturing.

· Demonstrated experience leading Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives in a production environment.

· Proven ability to improve productivity, reduce manufacturing costs, optimize production processes, and improve quality performance.

· Experience with production line design, process flow, workstation optimization, capacity analysis, and labor utilization.

· Strong knowledge of root cause analysis, problem-solving methodologies, and corrective action implementation.

· Experience managing engineering projects, budgets, resources, and performance metrics.

· Strong analytical, communication, organizational, and leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

· Direct experience in wire harness manufacturing processes, including cutting, stripping, crimping, terminal insertion, connector assembly, taping, and electrical testing.

· Experience with automotive quality systems and standards, such as IATF 16949, ASME, APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, and SPC.

· Lean Six Sigma certification or equivalent continuous improvement training.

· Experience with automation, poka-yoke, ergonomic improvements, and manufacturing equipment optimization.

· Experience with CAD tools, production layout design, process simulation, or manufacturing engineering software.

· Experience supporting new product launches, manufacturing transfers, plant transformations, or capacity expansion projects.

· Experience in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments

CVG IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc (CVG) is an equal employment opportunity employer such that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Visa Sponsorship

At this time, we are not providing sponsorship for this role. Applicants must be authorized to work in the country of the job posting location on a full-time basis.

No Unauthorized Referrals from Recruiters & Vendors

Please note that Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc (CVG) and any of its affiliated companies does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or offers from third party recruiters or staffing agencies associated with any published or unpublished employment opportunities. Any unsolicited information sent to CVG will be considered as unencumbered and free from any fee or charge whatsoever. Only members of our Human Resources Team have the authority to engage or authorize recruiting services, which must be agreed upon before any resume or offer is received.

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