This position is located in Clayton, NC.

Contract furniture manufacturing employs LEAN manufacturing practices to continuously improve the high mix, low volume nature of this business. Employee engagement is a pillar of our success, and the Director of Manufacturing and Engineering Operations is an integral leader of this infrastructure and a key leader at Studio TK. This role reports directly to the VP of Manufacturing. This role has direct ownership and oversight of manufacturing, engineering, and facility operations. The role is multidisciplinary, requiring knowledge of people management, process design, quality assurance, manufacturing performance management, scheduling and staffing to include all activities within a manufacturing facility.

Why is this job so great?

The incumbent is responsible for managing and directing the plant manufacturing operations on a day-to-day basis as well as maintaining surveillance over product engineering and manufacturing processes for the purpose of meeting the quality standard and controlling costs. This position is responsible for total factory performance in safety, /quality, /delivery, /cost, developing and implementing operational policies, standards, and procedures for new and existing manufacturing methods. This position will engage, lead, train, and mentor others within the plant manufacturing operations to best practices that will drive improvements in our business. The position requires a leader capable of facilitating and driving change in a fast-paced environment, knowledge and understanding of LEAN manufacturing principles, the fundamentals of product, process and manufacturing engineering and quality assurance as it relates to a first-in-class business furniture manufacturer.

What are the primary responsibilities of this role?

• Day-to-day management and execution of the plant manufacturing operation.
• Accountable for ensuring that the required level of engineering service is provided in all areas of the manufacturing operation to support all current and new products.
• Enable strategic vision through the development of process designs and requirements needed to ensure success for operations and customer support.
• Accountable for leading a multi-disciplinary team to generate and implement cost reduction activities and improved manufacturing performance.
• Developing and implementing plant wide LEAN manufacturing practices.
• Develop, approve, and present operational key performance indicators.
• Improve product quality using established Quality Control and Assurance methodologies.
• Accountable for the maintenance of all process related machinery and equipment by ensuring a robust PM process is in place to support day to day operations
• Leading plant engineering changes, instructions, quality standards, training and developing plans to conduct any associated activities coming from such changes
• Reviewing, approving and co-ordinating new launch information and activities as provided by design and the new products group. This person must ensure that new launches are introduced as "production friendly" as possible. Providing direction for BOM's, routings and work cell designations, upon new products and during day-to-day manufacturing activities.
• Analyze processes for sub-optimal performance, collect data, communicate findings, and effectively make recommendations for improvement.
• Accountable for capacity planning and facility layout in support of day to day production and in alignment with continued business growth.
• Lead department managers to develop and track performance metrics and take corrective action on root causes as required.
• Accountable for reviewing product designs and making recommendations to ensure product costs and manufacturing targets are achieved. In addition, the position is responsible for determining methods, processes, equipment, and technologies that enable Studio TK to cost effectively manufacture products.
• Implementation and monitoring of Manufacturing Quality Assurance processes.
• Maintaining standards as stipulated in ISO 9001 (to be developed) & ISO 14000 where applicable to manufacturing engineering.
• Lead and support product sustainability and environmental initiatives to align to our company objectives.
• Accountable for determining the appropriate staffing requirements consistent with the department workload. In addition, this incumbent is responsible for directing the selection and training of personnel and overseeing performance management and pay program administration for his/her subordinates.
• This position, together with supply chain, will develop and manage production scheduling, capacity parameters and labor adjustments to align with order demands.
• This position, together with Purchasing and Design/Development engineering, responsible for developing and working with NA & global suppliers to ensure required quality levels are achieved.
• Accountable for maintaining a highly motivated and enthusiastic workforce by working with the HR department in the development and implementation of programs that will attract, retain, and motivate employees.
• Responsible for ensuring that training programs, whether internal or external, be of benefit to both the employee and Studio TK, he/she will ensure that employees be provided with opportunity to attend, so as to improve individual skills, set productivity, technical competencies and provide career advancement/succession planning.

What is required to do do this job?

• University degree in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
• Minimum of 10 years' experience in a manufacturing environment
• Three or more years experience in a management position
• Good leadership/decision-making skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in planning and organizing capability
• Excellent Lean Manufacturing knowledge
• Quality Assurance Methodologies
• Working knowledge of powder painting, wood finishing, welding and automation
• Product engineering experience preferred
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to handle several tasks simultaneously
• Ability to travel locally and internationally