Manufacturing Engineer & Lean Continuous Improvement Manager

The Manufacturing Engineer & Lean Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for driving operational excellence across manufacturing operations through the application of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement principles. This role blends hands-on manufacturing engineering with strategic leadership to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost. The position focuses on waste reduction, process optimization, standardization, and employee engagement to maximize productivity and eliminate non-value-added activities.This is an onsite role based out of the Temple, TX facility with responsibility for multiple manufacturing sites and up to 40-50% travel.

Manufacturing Engineering

• Develop, evaluate, and improve manufacturing processes to enhance efficiency, quality, safety, and cost
• Design and implement standard work, process flows, layouts, and work instructions
• Support new product introductions (NPI), including tooling, process validation, and production ramp-up
• Analyze production data to identify bottlenecks, scrap, rework, downtime, and capacity constraints
• Conduct root cause analysis using A3, 5 Whys, Fishbone, and statistical tools
• Collaborate with maintenance, quality, production, and engineering teams to resolve technical and operational issues
• Support facility design, material flow optimization, and process documentation

Lean & Continuous Improvement Leadership

• Plan, design, and implement Lean manufacturing strategies across all functions
• Lead and sustain Lean initiatives, Kaizen events, and value stream mapping activities
• Drive waste reduction efforts related to scrap, cycle time, inventory, motion, defects, and overprocessing
• Establish, monitor, and report KPIs related to safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost
• Develop and manage Lean training materials and continuous improvement programs
• Coach and mentor employees at all levels on Lean principles, problem-solving, and CI mindset

Cross-Functional & Strategic Collaboration

• Partner with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Engineering to align improvement initiatives with business goals
• Coordinate with senior leadership to develop long-term CI roadmaps and strategic initiatives
• Support training and development programs related to Lean, standard work, and problem-solving
• Exercise professional influence with tact and ethics when working with vendors, customers, and internal teams

Safety & Quality

• Promote and sustain a strong safety culture across all facilities
• Ensure manufacturing processes comply with safety, regulatory, and customer requirements
• Support quality systems, audits, and corrective action implementation
• Ensure continuous improvement initiatives support quality and compliance objectives

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in an industrial manufacturing environment
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification required
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies
• Proven experience leading cross-functional teams and process improvement initiatives
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel), AutoCAD, and manufacturing KPIs
• Experience with ERP systems and statistical/process improvement tools
• Ability to travel up to 40-50% and work onsite at the Temple, TX facility