Lean Manufacturing Engineer – Process Improvement

Flanders, Inc.; Washington (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

AAF International seeks a Manufacturing Engineer to act as a process SME, stabilize and improve manufacturing processes, and lead Lean culture initiatives across the organization. You will own process control, apply structured problem solving, and drive continuous improvement with data-driven decisions.

Responsibilities include implementing lean tools, supporting Kaizen events, and coordinating cross-functional efforts with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to ensure safe,

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of manufacturing or industrial experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Industrial Engineering.
• Experience owning manufacturing processes and supporting process control and sustainment.
• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and tools.
• Familiarity with at least one structured problem-solving methodology (DMAIC, PDCA, or Shainin Red X).
• Understanding of industrial automation and its application to manufacturing improvement.
• Experience developing or supporting ROI and cost justification for improvement or capital projects.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, charts, trending, data analysis) and familiarity with PowerPoint, Visio, Word, and Outlook.
• Effective communication skills and comfort working cross-functionally.
• Ability to support cultural change while balancing data-driven analysis and practical problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a process subject matter expert for assigned manufacturing processes, understanding process flow, capability, constraints, and risks.
• Lead efforts to bring processes into statistical control and sustain gains using standard work, control plans, SPC, and visual management.
• Recommend and implement improvements to production processes, methods, and controls.
• Apply analytical and creative thinking to solve manufacturing problems and improve performance.
• Lead, support, and facilitate the ongoing shift toward a Lean culture across the organization.
• Act as a coach and change agent by helping teams understand why Lean practices are used, not just how.
• Encourage employee engagement and ownership of continuous improvement at all levels.
• Partner with leaders and teams to reinforce Lean behaviors, standard work, and continuous improvement routines.
• Help embed Lean thinking into daily management systems and decision-making.
• Utilize at least one structured problem-solving methodology such as DMAIC, PDCA, or Shainin Red X.
• Define problems clearly, identify and validate root causes, implement effective solutions, and establish controls to sustain results.
• Support team-based problem-solving activities and knowledge sharing.
• Apply lean manufacturing principles and tools, including 5S, Kaizen, standard work, Kanban, takttime analysis, line balancing.
• Facilitate cross-functional Kaizen events and collaboration across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain.
• Support continuous improvement through hands-on involvement in shop-floor activities.
• Plan, design, implement, and improve manufacturing systems that support performance, reliability, maintainability, schedule adherence, and cost control.
• Establish methods, equipment, and layouts for direct and indirect labor using time studies and predetermined time systems (MTM).
• Analyze layouts, material flow, and work methods; recommend changes to improve safety, efficiency, and throughput.
• Prepare and maintain process documentation and manufacturing layouts.
• Identify opportunities for tooling, equipment upgrades, and industrial automation to improve process capability, ergonomics, quality, and labor efficiency.
• Design, develop, test, source, and implement machinery, tooling, fixtures, and equipment.
• Support equipment procurement and implementation, including installation and process validation.
• Develop ROI and cost-justification analyses for capital and improvement projects, including savings estimates and payback considerations.
• Identify opportunities for tooling, equipment upgrades, and industrial automation to improve process capability, ergonomics, quality, and labor efficiency.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Data analysis

Microsoft Excel

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

BS in Mechanical/Industrial Engineering

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Visio

Word

Outlook

Job description

AAF International seeks a Manufacturing Engineer to act as a process SME, stabilize and improve manufacturing processes, and lead Lean culture initiatives across the organization. You will own process control, apply structured problem solving, and drive continuous improvement with data-driven decisions.

Responsibilities include implementing lean tools, supporting Kaizen events, and coordinating cross-functional efforts with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to ensure safe,