Director of Operations Engineering- Hybrid
CL c0fdc925 851b 46be 8480 3d28feddb668
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
TAPCO seeks a Director of Operations Engineering to lead Manufacturing and Applications Engineering, driving cross-functional programs from quote to production release. The role champions continuous improvement and sets policies to raise quality and efficiency in a low-volume, high-mix signage and warning systems environment.
You will guide lean initiatives, optimize labor and equipment use, and partner across functions to meet schedule and budget objectives while supporting growth and digital
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or related field required.
- Master's degree preferred.
- 8+ years in industrial/manufacturing engineering or operations improvement.
- 3+ years leading engineering or CI teams.
- Experience in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments.
- Lean process design experience (e.g., TPS/DFT).
- Experience supporting ERP-driven manufacturing environments.
Responsibilities
- Lead the Manufacturing and Applications Engineering teams from quote to production release.
- Drive continuous improvement and act as change agent on projects.
- Develop production and engineering policies to improve quality and efficiency.
- Manage resources and project prioritization to maximize impact.
- Lead Lean initiatives: waste elimination, flow, and standard work.
- Partner with functions to resolve operational challenges and support new product introduction.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
If you are looking to be part of a company focused on making our roads and communities safer, apply to join our team of talented individuals today!
*Please note - The pay rate will be based on experience.
- Bonus Plan
- 10 Paid Holidays
- Paid Vacation and Personal Time
- Four Weeks of Paid Parental Leave with no waiting period
- 401K Plan with Employer Match (fully vested on day one)
- Company-Funded Short-Term Disability
- Health, Vision, and Dental insurance
- Quarterly Company Events and Lunches
- Have a say in TAPCO Happenings by joining the Fun or Safety Committee
The Director of Operations Engineering leads a leads the Manufacturing Engineering (ME) and Applications Engineering team (Engineer to Order quote to production release). This position works on cross-functional teams, leading or as a member, to drive continuous improvement efforts and works as a change agent initiating and managing projects to improve methods, equipment and product development projects. This position is accountable for developing production and engineering policies, practices and procedures to improve quality and efficiency in a low volume, high mix of signage and warning systems assembly operation. This position plays an ownership role in ensuring projects meet business, schedule and budget objectives.
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of Industrial Engineers and Manufacturing Engineers.
- Establish departmental goals, priorities, and project portfolios aligned with business objectives.
- Create a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and data-driven decision-making.
- Manage engineering resources and project prioritization to maximize operational impact.
- Identify and eliminate manufacturing bottlenecks that constrain throughput and revenue growth.
- Lead initiatives to improve labor productivity, equipment utilization, and workflow efficiency.
- Develop and maintain labor standards, routing structures, and production time estimates.
- Analyze production performance and implement corrective actions to improve efficiency.
- Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives including waste elimination, flow improvement, visual management, and standard work.
- Develop manufacturing capacity models and labor forecasting tools.
- Partner with Operations and Planning to understand future demand requirements and capacity constraints.
- Evaluate make-versus-buy opportunities, staffing requirements, and capital investment needs.
- Support strategic growth planning through facility, equipment, and labor capacity assessments.
- Lead value stream mapping and process analysis efforts.
- Improve material flow throughout manufacturing and warehouse operations.
- Optimize facility layouts, work cell design, point-of-use inventory, and workplace organization.
- Develop scalable production processes capable of supporting increasing product complexity and demand.
- Develop operational dashboards and performance reporting systems.
- Analyze ERP, manufacturing, labor, and warehouse data to identify trends and opportunities.
- Establish operational KPIs and ensure performance visibility throughout the organization.
- Provide recommendations to senior leadership based on quantitative analysis.
- Identify and evaluate automation opportunities appropriate for a high-mix, low-volume environment.
- Develop business cases and ROI analyses for automation, equipment, and technology investments.
- Lead implementation of manufacturing technologies and process improvements.
- Support digital transformation initiatives involving ERP, MES, scheduling, and operational analytics systems.
- Partner with Manufacturing, Planning, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Customer Service to resolve operational challenges.
- Support new product introduction activities to ensure manufacturability and operational readiness.
- Participate in S&OP, capacity planning, and strategic operations reviews.
- Drive alignment between engineering improvements and operational objectives.
- Industrial engineering principles and methods
- Labor standards development and time studies
- Capacity planning and production modeling
- Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies
- Value Stream Mapping
- Facility and material flow design
- Data analytics and operational reporting
- ERP systems and manufacturing data analysis
- Advanced Excel, Power BI, SQL, or similar analytical tools preferred
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive organizational change
- Excellent communication and presentation skill.
- Project management and prioritization capabilities
- Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management, or related technical field
- Master's degree preferred
- 8+ years of industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, or operations improvement experience
- 3+ years of leadership experience managing engineering or continuous improvement teams
- Experience in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment required
- Proven success leading productivity, throughput, and operational improvement initiatives
- Lean Process design such as Toyota Production System or Demand Flow Technology experience
- Experience supporting ERP-driven manufacturing environments
At TAPCO, our mission is to enhance transportation and personal safety in our communities through innovative solutions and products. We are driven to save lives! Are you looking for a career where you can earn a great wage based on experience and performance, your contributions are recognized, and you will have growth potential? Then choose TAPCO!
If any assistance is needed with the application process, please contact TAPCO HR at 800-236-446
8-5pm, Hybrid
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