Manufacturing Engineer (Lean Manufacturing)

Summit Polymers; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Summit Polymers in Kalamazoo, MI is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer (Lean) to lead the SLMS rollout on the plant floor, driving continuous improvement and waste reduction. This hands-on role requires strong analytical skills and the ability to coach operators and managers through kaizen events; familiarity with Jidoka, JIT and standardized work is beneficial.

You will collaborate with the General Manager and cross-functional teams to optimize layouts, manage projects, and ensure safe, efficient

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or 3 years in a manufacturing environment required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities; data-driven decisions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; ability to coach across levels.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel for data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of SLMS across all areas of the facility.
• Conduct routine SLMS audits and lead corresponding kaizen activities.
• Analyze manufacturing methods for process improvement, work balance and cost reduction.
• Teach SLMS concepts on the shop floor and in classrooms to all plant employees.
• Lead and manage projects with independent decision-making on the shop floor.
• Develop and maintain plant floor layouts.
• Occasional travel to other SPI plants.
• Other duties as required by General Manager.
• Understand SLMS theory and application; waste elimination; diverse process experiences.
• Coach others to learn SLMS by doing; combine classroom and shop floor learning.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Project management

Problem solving

Education

Engineering degree or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Manufacturing Engineer (Lean Manufacturing)

P18 - Pavilion, 5858 E N Ave, Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 4:00 AM

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

SUMMARY

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

Shop Floor:

• 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 typically 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.

P18 - Pavilion, 5858 E N Ave, Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States of America