Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Riddley Retail Fixtures, Inc.; Shelby (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Riddley Retail Fixtures, Inc. is seeking an Engineering Manager to lead the engineering department across our retail fixture manufacturing operations. This hands-on leader will guide design, DFx, and product realization from concept through production, working with Operations, Sales, Production, and Quality teams.

The role requires mentoring engineers, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring designs balance form, function, manufacturability, cost, and schedule across multiple facilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical/manufacturing/industrial engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in a manufacturing environment with engineering leadership experience.
• Experience with retail fixtures, store fixtures, displays, metal fabrication, wood products, or similar engineered-to-order manufacturing.
• Strong CAD and engineering drawing experience.
• Experience managing BOMs and engineering change processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the engineering department supporting operations.
• Oversee day-to-day workload, priorities, and performance of the engineering team.
• Provide technical leadership for design and development of retail fixtures, displays, assemblies, and components.
• Collaborate with customers, Sales, and Operations to translate concepts into manufacturable products.
• Lead design-for-manufacturing efforts to simplify production, reduce labor, and lower costs.
• Maintain engineering and drawing standards, revisions, and change processes.

Skills

Leadership

CAD proficiency

Problem solving

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering

Tools

CAD software

BOM management systems

Job description

Engineering Manager – Retail Fixtures & Manufacturing

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Engineering Manager to lead and oversee engineering activities across our retail fixture manufacturing operations. This position will provide engineering leadership and will be responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the engineering department while supporting new product development, manufacturing, customer projects, and continuous improvement.

Our manufacturing operations produce a wide variety of retail fixtures and components utilizing metal, wood, plastics, hardware, electrical components, and other materials. The Engineering Manager will work closely with Operations, Sales, Production, Purchasing, Quality, and customers to take projects from concept and design through manufacturing and production.

This is a hands-on leadership position. We are looking for someone who can manage and develop an engineering team while also willing to get involved in designs, drawings, manufacturing challenges, customer requirements, and new product ideas.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the engineering department supporting operations.
• Manage the day-to-day workload, priorities, assignments, and performance of the engineering team.
• Provide technical leadership for the design and development of retail fixtures, displays, assemblies, and manufactured components.
• Work with customers, Sales, and Operations to develop practical design concepts and turn customer ideas and requirements into manufacturable products.
• Provide design ideas and recommendations that improve functionality, appearance, manufacturability, cost, and overall product quality.
• Review and approve engineering drawings, specifications, BOMs, revisions, and other technical documentation.
• Ensure designs are accurate and ready for production before release to manufacturing.
• Coordinate engineering activities between multiple manufacturing facilities and ensure information is communicated accurately between locations.
• Support manufacturing processes including sheet and tube laser cutting, press brake forming, welding, wood fabrication, assembly, and other production processes.
• Work closely with Production to resolve engineering and manufacturing issues on the shop floor.
• Lead design-for-manufacturing (DFM) efforts to simplify production, reduce labor, improve material utilization, and lower overall manufacturing costs.
• Support prototype development, samples, testing, customer approvals, and new product launches.
• Establish and maintain engineering standards, drawing standards, revision controls, and engineering change processes.
• Oversee engineering changes and ensure revisions are properly communicated to Production, Purchasing, Planning, Quality, and other affected departments.
• Partner with Purchasing and suppliers on material selection, purchased components, alternate materials, and cost-reduction opportunities.
• Support estimating and quoting by providing technical input regarding materials, manufacturing processes, tooling, labor requirements, and design complexity.
• Identify opportunities for automation, improved tooling, fixtures, equipment, and manufacturing technology.
• Develop and mentor engineers and other technical team members.
• Help establish engineering department goals, priorities, accountability, and performance expectations.
• Participate in customer meetings and technical discussions when engineering support is required.
• Ensure engineering activities support company quality standards and applicable ISO requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field preferred.
• 5+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, with previous engineering leadership or management experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with retail fixtures, store fixtures, displays, metal fabrication, wood products, or similar engineered-to-order manufacturing is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes including sheet metal fabrication, welding, forming, machining/fabrication, wood manufacturing, and assembly.
• Strong CAD and engineering drawing experience.
• Experience managing BOMs, engineering revisions, and engineering change processes.
• Experience taking products from concept and prototype through production.
• Strong understanding of design for manufacturability and cost-conscious product design.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities across multiple manufacturing locations.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively with customers, engineers, production employees, suppliers, and senior management.
• Ability to balance technical engineering requirements with manufacturing capabilities, cost, quality, and delivery expectations.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is not simply an engineering administrator. We are looking for a hands-on engineering leader who enjoys developing products, solving manufacturing problems, and working directly with both engineers and production teams.

This individual should be comfortable moving between customer concepts, CAD drawings, engineering reviews, and the manufacturing floor. They should understand that successful engineering in a retail fixture environment requires balancing design, appearance, functionality, manufacturability, cost, quality, and speed to market.

The successful candidate will have the ability to build structure and accountability within the engineering department while encouraging creativity, collaboration, and practical problem-solving.