Manager – Manufacturing Engineering – Mexico NPI

Sterling Kohler; Mexico; On-site; PHP 4,235,796 - 6,706,677; Full time

Job summary

Kohler Co. in México is seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Manager - Mexico NPI to lead the NPI Manufacturing Engineering and the Model, Block and Case tooling group onsite in Juarez.

You will direct people, manage VDMS governance, and drive capital, capacity and continuous improvement initiatives across the MBC tooling department, supporting NPD and CPD programs. This role demands strong engineering leadership, experience with tooling operations, and a hands-on approach to safety, cost, yield,

Qualifications

• Must have proven leadership of manufacturing engineering teams and tooling operations.
• Experience building and coaching engineering talent across skilled roles.
• Strong ability to drive safety, quality, and productivity in a manufacturing setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead NPI Manufacturing Engineering and MBC tooling oversight for Mexico.
• Provide people leadership, coaching, and performance management.
• Ensure VDMS governance, risk management, and training for program execution.
• Drive continuous improvement, 5S, and safety compliance.
• Own capital, capacity, and asset strategy with cross-functional partners.

Job description

Manufacturing Engineering Manager - México NPI

Work Mode: Onsite, Juarez, Nuevo León

Opportunity

Leads NPI Manufacturing Engineering and the Model, Block, and Case (MBC) tooling department, providing people leadership, operational oversight, and system ownership for the Vitreous Development Management System (VDMS) to support NPD, CPD, and plant performance.

Specific Responsibilities

• People Leadership
  • Lead and develop Manufacturing Engineers, the MBC Supervisor, and the Supervisor of NPD Technicians and Casters.
  • Set goals and expectations; coach, provide feedback, and manage performance.
  • Build engagement, retention, and succession plans.
• VDMS System Ownership & Governance
  • Own day-to-day execution of VDMS across NPD and CPD programs.
  • Ensure teams apply VDMS structure, targets, risk management, and escalation thresholds consistently.
  • Drive disciplined, timely execution through assigned engineers and project teams; elevate exceptions and lead improvements to usage and training.
• Technical Accountability (Through Subordinates)
  • Ensure early manufacturing input and feasibility (tooling, equipment, process) to support industrialization.
  • Ensure risk identification/escalation and PFMEA development/maintenance are completed usingVDMS-defined processes.
  • Ensure cost, yield, and productivity models are developed and validated.
  • Ensure launch readiness and post-launch audits/lessons learned are completed and documented.
• Model, Block, and Case (MBC) Tooling Department Oversight
  • Provide functional leadership for the MBC tooling department, aligned to NPD, CPD, and plant demand.
  • Delegate day-to-day execution to the MBC Supervisor while retaining accountability for capability, capacity, technical quality, and standards.
• Continuous Improvement / Safety
  • Drive continuous improvement across Manufacturing Engineering and MBC in partnership with the MBC Supervisor.
  • Maintain 5S and standard work; eliminate waste to improve productivity.
  • Ensure compliance with all safety and EHS requirements.
• Digital Transformation
  • Lead digital transformation across VDMS and MBC operations.
  • Identify and deploy tools that improve visibility and execution without adding administrative burden.
• Capital, Capacity & Asset Strategy
  • Own capital strategy for Manufacturing Engineering and MBC.
  • Define capacity requirements aligned with NPD and CPD demand.
  • Partner with Operations and Finance to prioritize investments that improve safety, productivity, standardization, and long-term capability.

Plant Technical Support – Mexico

• Serve as the primary manufacturing engineering point of contact for the Mexico plant.
• Provide technical leadership for replacement tooling and High Pressure Cast tooling/mold improvements.
• Support yield, productivity, and throughput improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate Manufacturing Engineering and MBC resources to define and execute sustainable, standards-aligned solutions.

Skills/Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading manufacturing engineering teams and/or tooling operations.
• Demonstrated experience building, developing, and coaching engineering talent, including strengthening capability and performance in organizations with limited bench strength.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail]. Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.