Manufacturing Strategic Capacity Planner

Vertiv Group Corporation; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertiv Group Corporation seeks a Manufacturing Strategy & Operations Lead to drive global footprint optimization and capacity planning. You will lead cross-functional teams across Engineering, Operations, and Finance to ensure scalable, cost-effective manufacturing aligned with long-term business growth at a Fortune 500 company.

The role requires hands-on manufacturing leadership, a global mindset, and experience across multiple product lines, facilities, and regions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering or related field
• 7–10 years in manufacturing operations or plant leadership
• Knowledge of global supply chain dynamics and total landed cost
• Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement background
• Experience with capital expenditure planning
• Strong communication and leadership skills

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and recommend manufacturing footprint strategies considering cost, risk, technology, and proximity
• Identify capacity constraints and drive cross-functional collaboration to close gaps
• Support make-vs-buy and vertical integration analyses
• Conduct capacity modeling and throughput analysis for multiple product lines
• Lead CAPEX planning for investments, equipment, and plant Expansions
• Partner with regional and plant teams to align with growth forecasts

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Cross-functional leadership

Financial modeling

Capacity planning

Project management

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering or related field

Tools

Simio

MES

Digital twins

Job description

Manufacturing Strategy & Operations Lead

We are seeking a highly skilled candidate with deep expertise in manufacturing operations, industrial engineering, and capacity planning. This individual will support the development and execution of global manufacturing strategies — including footprint optimization and capital investment planning — to ensure scalable, cost-effective operations that align with long-term business growth at an expanding F500 company.

The ideal candidate brings hands‑on manufacturing leadership experience, a global mindset, cross‑functional collaboration skills, and proven experience working across multiple product lines, facilities, and regions.

Responsibilities:

Manufacturing Strategy & Global Footprint Optimization

• Evaluate and recommend manufacturing footprint strategies considering factors such as cost, geopolitical risk, technology enablement, supply chain resiliency, and customer proximity.
• Identify demand signals, determine capacity constraints, and drive cross‑functional collaboration to solve for any capacity gaps.
• Support make‑vs‑buy and vertical integration analyses aligned with product and process needs.

Capacity Planning & CAPEX Management

• Conduct in‑depth capacity modeling, scenario planning, and throughput analysis for multiple product lines.
• Lead capital expenditure planning and justification for manufacturing investments, equipment, and facility expansions.
• Identify and implement solutions to optimize plant loading, equipment utilization, and capital deployment.
• Partner with regional and plant teams to ensure alignment with growth forecasts and demand variability.

Scalability & Industrial Engineering

• Apply industrial engineering principles to drive efficiency, throughput, and continuous improvement across manufacturing sites.
• Conduct manufacturing research to evaluate emerging technologies, processes, and production methodologies.
• Promote scalable manufacturing processes, modular BoP strategies, and digital factory principles.
• Support new product introduction by integrating design for manufacturability principles and capacity readiness into early planning.

Cross‑Functional & Global Collaboration

• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance to ensure cross‑functional alignment on strategic manufacturing decisions.
• Own stakeholder management to the executive level, presenting to senior leadership on a regular basis.
• Support product transfers and ramp‑ups across regions, ensuring minimal disruption and operational continuity.

Data‑Driven Decision Making

• Leverage manufacturing and business intelligence data (e.g., MES, ERP, capacity tools) to drive strategic planning.
• Develop and maintain models for manufacturing cost, utilization, and capacity scenario analysis.

A Strong Candidate Will Bring:

• Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering / Technology, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or equivalent experience
• 7–10 years of experience in manufacturing operations, industrial engineering, or plant leadership
• Knowledge of global supply chain dynamics, geopolitical influences, and total landed cost analysis
• Strong communication, leadership, and project management skills; able to influence at all levels
• Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement background
• Experience managing manufacturing footprint requirements and facility planning
• Strong CAPEX planning and justification experience
• Strong analytical skills, including financial modeling and use of simulation or capacity planning software (e.g., Simio or equivalent)
• Experience with digital manufacturing tools (e.g., MES, digital twins) is a plus.
• Prior experience in plant management, production management, or multi‑shift operations leadership preferred

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: 10%