Manufacturing Engineering Manager (Plastics/Automotive Manufacturing)

Human Capital Ventures; Anderson (SC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Paid time off (20 days)‎

401(k) matched retirement plan

Health insurance (family plan)

Job summary

Human Capital Ventures in Anderson, South Carolina seeks an experienced Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead and enhance the facility's manufacturing engineering capabilities. You will oversee Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, Tooling, Automation, NPI, and CI initiatives to improve processes, tooling, and capital investments.

You will partner with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and leadership to drive OEE, cost reductions, and successful new product launches while advancing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial/Plastics Engineering or related field.
• Seven+ years of progressive manufacturing engineering experience with leadership responsibilities.
• Strong experience in plastics manufacturing, blow-molding, injection-molding, and automotive plastics.
• Prior engineering leadership in automotive manufacturing is highly desirable.
• Proven track record in leading teams, managing projects, improving processes, and implementing manufacturing technology.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, Tooling, Automation, and Continuous Improvement.
• Lead development and optimization of manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, and production technologies.
• Drive process improvements focusing on productivity, cycle time, scrap reduction, quality, and efficiency.
• Lead and apply expertise in plastic manufacturing, especially blow- and injection-molding.
• Lead capital investment projects from specification to production validation.
• Collaborate with Production and Maintenance to improve reliability, tooling performance, and OEE.
• Drive Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other CI initiatives across operations.
• Establish KPIs and report on cycle times, scrap, capability, productivity, and costs.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Coaching and development

Problem solving

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial/Plastics Engineering

Tools

PLC programming

Automation systems

Robotics

CAD/CAM software

Job description

Our client is a forward-thinking global manufacturing company specializing in the design, development, and production of high-quality plastic components and assemblies for the automotive, industrial, and healthcare sectors. Through its commitment to innovation, sustainability, quality, and advanced manufacturing, the company supports leading global organizations in bringing the vehicles, equipment, and products of tomorrow to life.

The company continues to strengthen its operational, technical, and manufacturing capabilities through an ambitious growth strategy supported by significant capital investment, strategic acquisitions, and sustained organic growth. With an established international presence and extensive expertise in advanced blow-molding and injection-molding technologies, the organization is well positioned for continued expansion.

To support its next phase of development, the company is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead and enhance its manufacturing engineering capabilities at its facility in Anderson, South Carolina.

In this role, you will provide technical leadership across Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, Tooling, Automation, New Product Introduction, and Continuous Improvement. You will be responsible for developing and optimizing manufacturing processes, improving equipment and tooling performance, leading capital investment projects, and implementing advanced manufacturing technologies.

Working closely with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and senior operational leadership, you will play a critical role in improving manufacturing efficiency, reducing operating costs, supporting new product launches, and strengthening the organization's long-term technical and operational capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction across Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, Tooling, Automation, and Continuous Improvement activities.
• Lead the development, implementation, and optimization of manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, and production technologies across the facility.
• Drive manufacturing process improvements focused on productivity, cycle-time reduction, scrap reduction, quality, equipment utilization, and overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Provide technical expertise and engineering leadership within plastic manufacturing environments, particularly blow-molding and injection-molding operations.
• Lead and support the introduction of new products, manufacturing processes, tooling, and equipment, ensuring successful implementation and transition into full-scale production.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement opportunities for manufacturing automation, robotics, advanced process controls, and other technologies to improve operational performance.
• Develop and execute capital investment projects, including equipment specification, supplier selection, procurement, installation, commissioning, and production validation.
• Collaborate with Production and Maintenance teams to improve equipment reliability, tooling performance, machine availability, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other structured continuous improvement initiatives throughout the manufacturing operation.
• Establish, monitor, and report on key engineering and manufacturing performance indicators, including cycle times, scrap rates, process capability, productivity, equipment efficiency, and manufacturing costs.
• Lead root-cause analysis and structured problem-solving activities to resolve recurring manufacturing, equipment, tooling, and process-related issues.
• Partner with Quality Engineering to develop robust manufacturing processes, support process validation, and ensure compliance with applicable automotive and manufacturing quality standards.
• Support the development and implementation of manufacturing documentation, standard operating procedures, process control plans, PFMEAs, and engineering change-management processes.
• Manage engineering budgets, capital expenditure planning, project timelines, and technical resources while ensuring effective cost control and return on investment.
• Work cross-functionally with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Materials Management, Environmental Health and Safety, and external equipment suppliers, tooling manufacturers, and technical service providers.
• Ensure engineering activities and manufacturing processes comply with applicable safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements, including OSHA, EPA, ISO, and IATF standards.
• Lead, coach, and develop manufacturing engineering personnel, fostering a culture of technical excellence, accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and execute manufacturing engineering strategies aligned with the organization's broader operational objectives, capital investment plans, and long-term growth strategy.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or a related technical discipline is preferred.
• Seven or more years of progressive manufacturing engineering experience, including previous engineering leadership or management responsibilities.
• Strong experience within plastics manufacturing, preferably involving blow-molding, injection-molding, and/or automotive plastic component manufacturing.
• Previous engineering leadership experience within an automotive manufacturing environment is highly desirable.
• Proven experience managing manufacturing engineering teams, technical projects, process improvements, and manufacturing technology implementation.
• Strong technical knowledge of manufacturing processes, plastics processing equipment, tooling systems, automation, and industrial manufacturing technologies.
• Demonstrated experience improving manufacturing efficiency, reducing cycle times, minimizing scrap, optimizing process capability, and increasing equipment utilization.
• Experience leading capital investment projects, including equipment specification, procurement, installation, commissioning, and process validation.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing automation, robotics, PLC-controlled equipment, and advanced manufacturing systems.
• Demonstrated experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other structured continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of automotive and manufacturing quality-management systems, including IATF 16949 and ISO 9001.
• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, process control plans, and structured engineering change-management processes.
• Understanding of environmental and occupational health and safety standards, including ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and applicable OSHA and EPA requirements.
• Experience working collaboratively with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Tooling, and other operational functions to resolve technical challenges and improve manufacturing performance.
• Strong financial and commercial awareness, including experience managing engineering budgets, capital expenditure, project costs, and manufacturing cost-reduction initiatives.
• Excellent leadership, communication, coaching, team-development, and project-management capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, lead cross-functional technical teams, and deliver measurable engineering and operational improvements within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Compensation and Benefits

Base Salary: $150,000-$160,000 per annum - Negotiable on Experience

Benefits: Bonus, Generous paid time off (20 days), comprehensive holiday calendar, family health insurance plan, a strong 401(k) matched retirement plan, and excellent opportunities for career growth and development.

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Location: Anderson, South Carolina

Human Capital Ventures is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in every aspect of our business. We believe in creating supportive and inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.