Lean Manufacturing Engineer

Summit Polymers; Vicksburg (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Summit Polymers is seeking an Engineer, Manufacturing (SLMS) to lead the lean manufacturing initiative across the plant using Summit Lean Manufacturing System. The role emphasizes hands-on shop floor leadership and process improvement, reporting to the General Manager.

Ideal candidates will have an engineering background, strong analytical skills, and proven project management and leadership abilities, with proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Office tools.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or related field required or 3 years manufacturing experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities are essential.
• Effective communication and leadership across all plant levels.
• Proficient in Excel and data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of SLMS in all areas of the facility.
• Conduct routine SLMS audits and lead kaizen activities.
• Analyze methods for process improvement, balance, and cost reduction.
• Teach SLMS concepts in classroom and shop floor settings.
• Lead and manage projects independently on the shop floor.
• Develop and maintain plant floor layouts.
• Occasional travel to other SPI plants.
• Perform other duties as required by General Manager.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication

Project management

Leadership

Excel

Self-motivation

Education

Engineering degree or related field

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Summit Polymers is a leading, global supplier of automotive interior systems including consoles, door panels, and instrument panels. With over 50 years serving the industry, we deliver engineering and product excellence to our customers, on time, in budget, with the latest innovations.

JOIN A TEAM WHERE YOU’LL BE CHALLENGED AND valued.

A career with Summit Polymers means working with smart people in a culture that thrives on challenging, meaningful work. At Summit, we look for growth potential with every hire. We don’t just fill seats, we set people on career paths. We’re always on the lookout for smart people who are committed to continuous improvement, customer service and quality.

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Engineer, Manufacturing (SLMS) FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: General Manager

The SLMS Engineer is a technical and plant floor focused leadership position with an emphasis on improving manufacturing operations across the plant using SLMS (Summit Lean Manufacturing System – developed from Toyota Production System).

This position requires a hands-on person who prefers the plant floor to the cubicle, and who will develop a passion for implementing SLMS into the manufacturing processes. The successful engineer will be humble, willing to learn from shop floor experiences as well as from team members on the production lines.

This position also requires strong analytical skills with the ability to gather and analyze information and make decisions based on that information. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, have project management and leadership skills, as well as the initiative and ability to get things done with and through others. Problem solving, communication, mathematic, and Microsoft Excel capability are also required.

Responsibilities And Duties

• Lead the implementation of SLMS in all areas of the facility
• Conduct routine SLMS Audits and lead corresponding kaizen activities derived from the audits
• Analyze manufacturing methods for process improvement, work balance and cost reduction using kaizen mentality and standardized work development tools
• Teaching SLMS principles and concepts in a class room and shop floor environment to all plant employees from plant floor to plant management
• Lead and manage projects while working independently, including independent decision-making on the shop floor
• Develop and maintain plant floor layout(s)
• Occasional travel to other SPI plants
• Other duties as required by General Manager

Learning

• Person will understand the theory and application in all aspects of SLMS (Jidoka, JIT, stability, True North - standardized work, pull systems, problem solving, material and information flow etc)
• Ability to identify and eliminate waste throughout the plant
• Broad range of experiences with different processes and environments
• Learn how to organize shop floor activities, how to coach others to "learn SLMS by doing"
• How to combine class room and shop floor learning

Education And Experience

Engineering or related degree or 3 years experience in a manufacturing environment.

Skills And Abilities

• Possesses the ability to gather and analyze information and make decisions from a limited number of choices
• Ability to effectively communicate and coach all levels from plant floor operators to plant management.
• Microsoft office products including (excel, word
• A minimum score of 50 on the Wonderlic Select Assessment (26 on the Cognitive section).

Travel Requirements

This position typicaly does require less than 5% travel.

DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor are they intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Agreement to complete all post-hire required training.