Industrial Engineer

PECO Pallet, Inc.; Itasca (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

PECO Pallet Inc. is seeking an Industrial Engineer – Operational Excellence to advance pallet-pooling operations nationwide through Lean methods, process optimization, and a strong safety culture.

The role requires analyzing data, conducting time studies, and leading Kaizen and 5S initiatives across multiple sites, with 50–75% travel to support improvements and training.

Ideal candidates will coach teams, develop standard work, and build visual management systems to sustain gains.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in industrial engineering, continuous improvement, or Lean within logistics, warehousing, or manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of Lean principles and industrial engineering methodologies.
• Experience conducting time studies, process modeling, and workflow redesign.
• Experience analyzing data and translating insights into actions.

Responsibilities

• Perform time studies, workflow evaluations, and capacity analyses to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities.
• Develop engineered labor standards, process documentation, layout recommendations, and labor/capacity models.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, constraints, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Maintain visual factory tools that support performance management, safe operations, and clear communication.
• Create process maps, standard work documentation, and operation-level dashboards.
• Lead Lean initiatives, including Kaizen events and 5S activities, and coach teams on Lean tools.

Skills

Lean principles

Industrial engineering

Time studies

Process modeling

Data analysis

CAD drawing

Excel

Visio

Communication

Multi-site coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

CAD

MS Office

Visio

Access/Project

Job description

Position Summary

The Industrial Engineer – Operational Excellence supports our nationwide pallet‑pooling operations by driving process improvements, optimizing performance, and strengthening our culture of safety and continuous improvement. This role combines industrial engineering expertise with Lean methodologies to enhance operational efficiency and promote safe work practices throughout our network.

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Industrial Engineer – Operational Excellence supports our nationwide pallet‑pooling operations by driving process improvements, optimizing performance, and strengthening our culture of safety and continuous improvement. This role combines industrial engineering expertise with Lean methodologies to enhance operational efficiency and promote safe work practices throughout our network.

The ideal candidate brings strong analytical skills, the ability to influence across all organizational levels, and a hands‑on approach to implementing sustainable improvements in fast‑paced operational environments.

Essential Functions

Industrial Engineering & Process Optimization

• Perform time studies, workflow evaluations, and capacity analyses to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities.
• Develop engineered labor standards, process documentation, facility layout recommendations, and labor/capacity models.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, constraints, and cost‑saving opportunities.
• Implement and maintain visual factory tools that support performance management, safe operations, and clear communication at facilities.
• Create process maps, standard work documentation, and operation‑level performance dashboards.

Lean & Continuous Improvement

• Lead and facilitate Lean initiatives, including Kaizen events, 5S activities, standardization efforts, PDCA cycles, and waste elimination projects.
• Train and coach teams on Lean tools and best practices to build organizational capability.
• Partner with leadership to sustain Lean practices and ensure alignment with organizational goals and operational standards.

Safety Support & Risk Reduction

• Conduct safety‑focused process reviews to identify ergonomic risks, material‑flow hazards, and environmental/operational safety issues.
• Collaborate with site leaders to integrate safety considerations into process design, layout changes, equipment usage, and standard work.
• Support safety improvement initiatives such as hazard assessments, job‑safety analyses (JSAs), and near‑miss root‑cause reviews.
• Assist in developing visual safety systems, including signage, floor markings, traffic‑flow visuals, and standardized safety communication boards.
• Partner with operations teams to reinforce safe behaviors, promote a culture of hazard awareness, and drive compliance with company safety expectations.
• Participate in safety audits, facility walkthroughs, and data reviews to identify and resolve potential safety concerns.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Operations, Maintenance, Renter, and Supply Chain teams to address operational challenges and implement scalable solutions.
• Build productive working relationships with site leadership to ensure consistency and alignment with company performance, safety, and sustainability initiatives.
• Serve as a resource for Lean methodologies, process engineering, and continuous improvement tools.

Other Responsibilities

• Maintain timely, professional communication with internal and external partners.
• Uphold company values and contribute to a culture centered on safety, respect, integrity, and operational excellence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill & Abilities

• Strong understanding of Lean principles and industrial engineering methodologies.
• Proven ability to conduct time studies, process modeling, and workflow redesign.
• Experience analyzing data and converting insights into actionable recommendations.
• Familiarity with safety program concepts such as hazard assessments, ergonomic evaluations, or safety risk mitigation (preferred but not required).
• Experience developing or supporting visual factory systems is a plus.
• CAD drawing proficiency
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office ( Advanced Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Visio; Access/Project a plus).
• Statics Black Belt equivalent knowledge
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across a multi‑site operational environment.

Key Competencies for Success

• Safety Focus – Models and reinforces safe behaviors; proactively identifies hazards and improves safety outcomes.
• Continuous Improvement – Seeks opportunities to eliminate waste, optimize processes, and deliver sustainable results.
• Collaboration – Works effectively with cross‑functional teams and builds strong relationships across the network.
• Analytical Thinking – Applies data‑driven analysis and structured methodologies to solve complex problems.
• Accountability – Takes ownership of responsibilities and consistently delivers high‑quality work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in industrial engineering, continuous improvement, or Lean within logistics, warehousing, or manufacturing.

Environment/Physical Demands

• Work may take place in production, yard, and warehouse environments, including exposure to outdoor conditions and forklift traffic.

Travel

• 50%-75% travel required to support site operations, improvement initiatives, training, and safety reviews.

PECO Pallet Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PECO celebrates our continuous journey pursuing diversity through inclusion and empowerment of our employees to shape the future of the company and deliver our pillars of Quality and Service to all customers.