Continuous Improvement Manufacturing Engineer

IDEX; Benton Charter Township (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

GAST Manufacturing, a unit of IDEX Corporation, seeks a Continuous Improvement Manufacturing Engineer to lead lean initiatives across Michigan production lines. You will drive 5S, standard work, and 3P Kaizen activities while collaborating with design, engineering and operations to ensure smooth transitions from product design to manufacturing.

The role emphasizes PFMEA, process validation, KPI tracking (first-pass yield, OTD, lead time) and hands-on problem solving in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in manufacturing, business, engineering discipline, or technical degree.
• 5+ years of production experience preferred.
• Strong continuous improvement background with knowledge of 5S, Kaizen, Lean and Value Stream Mapping.
• Advanced understanding of ISO and Quality Management Systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate CI/Kaizen events to drive measurable improvements.
• Manage NPD process from design validation to product launch.
• Develop and validate manufacturing processes, work instructions, and standard work for new products.
• Collaborate with design engineering to ensure manufacturability.

Skills

Kaizen events

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in manufacturing/engineering

Tools

ISO 9001 knowledge

Job description

If you’re looking for a special place to build or grow your career, you’ve found it. Whether you’re an experienced professional, a recent college graduate or somewhere in between, IDEX is a place where you can apply your existing skills and learn new ones in an environment where you can make an impact. With interesting opportunities in engineering, marketing, sales, supply chain, operations, HR, finance, and more across more than 40 diverse businesses around the globe, chances are, we have something special for you.

Who is GAST Manufacturing? As a business unit of IDEX Corporation, GAST Manufacturing has a long history of being the leader in design and manufacturing of quality air-moving products. We specialise in offering cost effective solutions for a wide variety of industries including industrial manufacturing, healthcare, and environmental cleanup applications.

We are looking to add more talent to our team.

SCOPE OF ROLE

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Manufacturing Engineer will proactively identify opportunities to eliminate waste, reduce variation, and improve productivity in manufacturing, while facilitating kaizen events with cross‑functional teams to ensure seamless integration of CI principles into product and process design. This position is ideal for a hands‑on problem solver who thrives in fast‑paced environments and is passionate about building sustainable systems that support innovation and growth. Additionally, this role is responsible for leading the introduction of new products into manufacturing, ensuring seamless integration from design to production. This role bridges engineering, operations, and quality to deliver products that meet performance, cost, and schedule targets.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Continuous Improvement: Lead and facilitate Kaizen events, problem solving, and other lean activities to drive measurable improvements. Develop and implement standard work, visual management systems, and 5S programs. Identify and implement improvements for new product lines to enhance quality, cost, and delivery through 3P Kaizen methodology.
• Project Management: Lead cross‑functional teams through the NPD (New Product Development) process from design validation to product launch.
• Manufacturing Readiness: Develop and validate manufacturing processes, packaging and labeling, testing, work instructions, standard work and tooling for new products.
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Collaborate with design engineering to ensure products are optimized for efficient assembly and quality.
• Process Validation: Conduct PFMEA, capability studies, and pilot builds to ensure robust production processes.
• Training & Documentation: Support training of production staff and ensure documentation is complete and standardised.
• Metrics & Reporting: Track NPI KPIs such as first‑pass yield, ramp‑up time, and launch readiness. Subject Matter Expert (SME) and trainer of CI tools (Mixed Model Lean, Six Sigma, SIOP, Sourcing, GDP, and KPIs).
• Works to grow revenue & profit by delivering strong operational performance (SQDC).
• Lead efforts to identify opportunities for automation and implementing automation projects Utilise 80/20 methods, Lean Manufacturing, & Six Sigma tools drive focus on critical items that will yield the highest impact to the organisation.
• Establish CI Roadmap that deploys actions to achieve strategic goals.
• Drives consistency and effective adoption of CI deployment in all areas.
• Implement problem solving principles to identify root cause and corrective actions Will help develop and maintain operational excellence and Quality KPI’s and countermeasures Hands on participant of the Continuous Improvement/Kaizen processes by leading Rapid Improvement Events (RIE’s).
• Support Goal Deployment Action Plans and improvement targets for the enterprise.
• Drive sustainable and consistent quality processes throughout Gast/JUN‑AIR with sound root cause analysis and countermeasures.
• Build trust and credibility by leading by example.
• Create regular communications with the value stream and vertical businesses (clear direction, regular updates on events/decisions, and accountability for achieving & sustaining RIE results).
• Measures of Performance Sustainable performance improvements in Safety, Quality, OTD, Lead‑time reduction, Inventory Turns, and PBIT Timely and successful completion of various business transformation projects Significant improvement in First pass yield, warranty claims, and customer quality complaints Identification and implementation of transformational manufacturing processes (automation implementation, Poke‑Yoke processes, material movement technology).

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS OR EQUIVALENCIES

• Bachelor's degree in manufacturing, business, engineering discipline, or technical degree.
• 5+ years of production experience preferred.
• Strong continuous improvement background with knowledge of 5S, Kaizen, Lean and Value Experience in identification of large cost centres and systematically driving improvement to obtain organisational goals for a product manufacturing facility.
• Value Stream Mapping Background with selection and implementation of automated equipment Hands on responsibility for manufacturing product quality.
• Advanced understanding of ISO and Quality Management Systems History of results‑based approach to developing and implementation of productivity funnel through the utilisation of Kaizen Advanced knowledge of CI tools (Mixed Model Lean, Six Sigma, SIOP, Sourcing, GDP, and KPIs).

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Drive for results / high sense of urgency
• Solid problem‑solving methodology and demonstrated skill
• Integrity and trust
• Interpersonal saviability
• Strong leadership and influential skills
• Strong communication/presentation skills
• Strong data analyzation skills and strategy development
• Mentoring, development, and accountability

GAST Manufacturing, a Unit of IDEX Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to workforce diversity.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job‑related tasks other than those specifically presented.

Are you ready to join a different kind of company where our people, our culture, and our commitments are centred around providing trusted solutions that improve lives around the world? IDEX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IDEX gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, creed, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other consideration or protected category made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.

IDEX (NYSE: IEX) is a company that has undoubtedly touched your life in some way. In fact, IDEX businesses make thousands of products that are mission‑critical components in everyday activities. Chances are the car you’re driving has a BAND‑IT® clamp holding your side airbag safely in place. If you were ever in a car accident, a Hurst Jaws of Life® rescue tool may have saved your life. If you or a family member is battling cancer, your doctor may have tested your DNA in a quest to find the best targeted medicine for you. It’s likely your DNA test was run on equipment that contains components made by our growing IDEX Health & Science team.