Engineering Manager

Cooper Standard Automotive; Sherman Park (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Cooper Standard Automotive is seeking an experienced Engineering Manager to direct and coordinate all plant engineering activities. You will define manufacturing processes, lead cross-functional teams, and strive for cost reduction, quality, and on-time delivery across current, service, and new products.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Engineering, 5+ years of leadership in automotive settings, and knowledge of IATF systems. Travel to site locations will be required as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial Technology, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of five years of people leadership experience required.
• Experience in an automotive manufacturing environment preferred.
• Knowledge of IATF quality systems required or strongly preferred based on site requirements.
• Willingness and ability to travel to manufacturing facilities or customer locations as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and administer engineering policies, procedures, and systems across manufacturing areas.
• Serve as a liaison between Engineering and other plant departments to meet functional cost targets.
• Define and quote new work including process flows, tooling, BOMs, routing, standards, and equipment needs.
• Analyze workforce utilization, space requirements, and equipment needs; design and oversee equipment investments.
• Monitor production reports; resolve issues to reduce cost and maintain production continuity.
• Maintain surveillance over product design and manufacturing processes for cost reduction and efficiency.
• Lead cross-functional engineering and plant teams to meet targets for capability, schedules, scrap, and lean savings.
• Support operations in applying lean principles and continuous improvement across the plant.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

Multitasking

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

PFMEA

GD&T

Lean manufacturing

Budget management

BOM & routing

Job description

Position Summary:

Directs and coordinates all aspects of engineering activities within the plant and organization. Ensures projects, initiatives, equipment, manufacturing processes, and engineering systems align with established policies, objectives, customer requirements, safety expectations, quality systems, and operating targets. Defines and executes manufacturing processes for current, service, and new products; analyzes workforce utilization, space requirements, process flow, and equipment needs; and leads cross-functional efforts to improve manufacturing capability, production scheduling, scrap, containment, overall equipment efficiency, and cost performance.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and administer engineering policies, procedures, and systems consistent with manufacturing, plant operations, quoting, capital acquisitions, environmental/safety, quality, and lean continuous improvement requirements.
• Serve as a liaison between Engineering and other plant departments to help ensure products are manufactured or purchased to meet functional requirements at the lowest practical cost.
• Define, review, and quote new work, including process flows, tooling requirements, bills of material, routing, standards, and equipment needs for manufacturing.
• Analyze workforce utilization, space requirements, process flow, and equipment needs; design, purchase, install, and oversee equipment and special production machinery needed to maintain competitive manufacturing operations.
• Monitor production and operating reports; resolve operational, manufacturing, maintenance, facility, and process issues to reduce cost, prevent delays, and maintain production continuity.
• Maintain surveillance over product design and manufacturing processes for cost reduction, cost control, process optimization, and overall equipment efficiency.
• Lead cross-functional engineering and plant teams to meet targets for manufacturing capability, production schedules, scrap, containment, service delivery, operational margin, lean savings, and efficiency optimization.
• Support operations in applying lean principles, Kaizen, and continuous improvement practices across the plant with multidisciplinary teams.
• Promote and supervise proper use of quality system procedures and practices, including IATF requirements; comply with ISO 14001 responsibilities as applicable.
• Participate in customer complaint, customer PPM, service delivery rating, mandatory training, emergency drill, evacuation, safety, security, cleanliness, code of conduct, and policy compliance activities.
• Supervise, direct, mentor, and develop engineering, program engineering, maintenance, and other assigned personnel; encourage employee involvement and lead projects and teams as required.
• Provide accurate reporting of products produced, labor, material consumption, scrap generated, and other performance indicators needed to support plant objectives.
• Maintain facility responsibilities, including process equipment, piping, electrical requirements, and support through internal labor or contracted services as needed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or as business needs require.
• May, on occasion, be required to perform duties other than those specified in this description.

Education and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial Technology, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of five years of people leadership experience required.
• Experience in an automotive manufacturing environment preferred.
• Knowledge of IATF quality systems required or strongly preferred based on site requirements.
• Willingness and ability to travel to manufacturing facilities or customer locations as necessary.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Strong leadership, coaching, and team-building skills with the ability to lead cross-functional and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, prioritization, and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate professionally with all levels of company personnel, customers, and vendors.
• Ability to multitask and manage competing operational, engineering, cost, quality, safety, and customer priorities.
• Proactive, collaborative, and continuous-improvement oriented approach to engineering and plant operations.

Technical Knowledge:

• Core tools, PFMEA, reverse PFMEA, troubleshooting tools, GD&T/drawing interpretation, lean manufacturing systems, budget management, and manufacturing process optimization.
• Capital acquisition, equipment installation, facility systems, maintenance support, production process flow, BOM, routing, labor, material, and scrap reporting.
• Environmental, safety, security, quality, and administration system requirements applicable to the plant and engineering function.

Work Environment/Work Conditions:

• Time is divided between a professional office environment and operations/manufacturing environments.
• Must wear proper personal protective equipment while on the manufacturing floor.
• Travel to manufacturing facilities or customer locations may be required.
• Equipment used may require proper training on potential hazards and injury avoidance.

Cooper Standard is proud of its diverse workforce and committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, age, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are dedicated to creating an environment at work that not only values diversity but also encourages inclusion and a sense of belonging. We firmly believe that a diverse workplace fosters an environment where our employees can flourish and provide superior service to our customers.

Because we recognize and value the range of ways in which people acquire experiences, whether via personal, professional, education, or volunteerism, we invite interested applicants to evaluate the key duties and requirements and apply for any opportunities that fit your experience and qualifications.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as certain state and/or local laws. If you believe you require such assistance to complete our online application or to participate in an interview, you (or someone on your behalf) may request assistance by emailing [e-mail] with a description of the accommodation you seek. Application materials submitted to this email address will not be considered.