Director, Engineering

Summit Search Group; Windsor; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Summit Search Group represents an opportunity for a Director of Engineering to lead a metals manufacturing operation in Windsor, Ontario. The role reports to the GM and drives the engineering department, process optimization, and quality controls to support a major expansion.

The ideal leader has 15+ years in industrial manufacturing, deep metals experience, and a track record of on-floor presence and team leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required with 15+ years of progressive leadership in industrial manufacturing.
• Experience in metal manufacturing environments, 24/7 operations, and driving continuous improvement.
• Strong knowledge of quality control standards (e.g., ISO/TS 16949).

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the engineering team, overseeing die design optimization and maintenance planning.
• Identify bottlenecks, implement data-driven improvements, and monitor scrap and recovery.
• Ensure regulatory compliance, risk management, and on-time completion of work orders.
• Drive lean and productivity initiatives across production lines and equipment.
• Collaborate with suppliers and stakeholders to align engineering with business goals.

Skills

Leadership

Manufacturing experience

Metal experience

Quality control

Process optimization

On-floor presence

ISO/TS 16949 knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Job description

Our client is seeking a Director, Engineering for their production facilities with approximately 300 employees to join the leadership team. The Plants are on the verge of substantial expansion and on a mission to double the size of the business. The Director, Engineering reporting to the GM, holds a crucial leadership position managing the entire engineering department. The primary objectives include overseeing the development and maintenance of technical operations, setting and implementing strategies and policies, and ensuring the efficiency of their operations. This leadership role oversees a team of Manufacturing Engineers.

The ideal candidate for the role is deeply experienced and technically proficient individual with a deep background in the metals industry. This candidate will possess a strong engineering foundation, potentially holding engineering positions in their previous roles having managed day-to-day processes.

They must have a keen eye for process optimization, as well as the ability to innovate and excel at correcting methods and processes. They must be strong in leading teams, as well as have an understanding of quality control and maintenance practices.

This candidate should have a proven track record of driving continuous improvement initiatives to uphold product standards and meet customer requirements, while still effectively considering resource management, capacity planning, and leading projects and departments to optimize resource efficiency.

• Serve as a subject matter expert, offering guidance and support to team members as needed. Stay abreast of industry trends and advancements in technology, incorporating relevant innovations into the company's practices.
• Develop and implement strategies to optimize die designs for enhanced productivity and product quality. Oversee the maintenance schedule, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum efficiency in production.
• Foster strong partnerships with suppliers and vendors to ensure timely delivery of materials and components while maintaining cost-effectiveness. Collaborate closely with stakeholders to align engineering efforts with overall business objectives.
• Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in manufacturing processes and implement solutions to streamline operations. Utilize data-driven approaches to improve throughput and reduce cycle times, enhancing overall production efficiency.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the engineering team – providing leadership, mentoring, and support.
• Investigate causes of scrap and implement countermeasures to improve recovery.
• Monitor industry trends and developments and implement best practices and new technologies to improve engineering processes and project outcomes.
• Analyze manufacturing processes using lean manufacturing principles to identify areas to improve.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards and manage risk in engineering projects.
• Maintain and ensure the timely completion of scheduled work orders.
• Inspect work for quality, ensuring that products meet high industry standards.
• Specify technical requirements and seek quotations from suppliers and contractors.
• Assess equipment and propose improvements to increase productivity, reliability, safety.
• Perform quality control checks, ensuring the safety and effectiveness or reliability of the system or product.
• Report inefficiencies within manufacturing processes while being able to control production.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, preferably in a relevant field Mechanical, Materials Science, or Industrial
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in Industrial manufacturing;
• Traditional manufacturing experience: worked in 24/7 operations.
• Experience in making a product, i.e. turning raw materials into parts.
• 7+ years of metal experience.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate engineering and technical professional fostering a culture of
• Strong proficiency in metals manufacturing. Knowledge of quality control standards (e.g., ISO/TS 16949) and methodologies.
• Enjoys being on the floor to improve performance and processes
• Engineering excellence, process optimization, Quality assurance and Equipment
• Engineering expert credibility and authority with senior colleagues and with customers.

Summit Search Group is a fair and equitable search firm. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.