Kärcher North America
Job Description
JOB TITLE: ManufacturingEngineer III
PURPOSE
Supports the development and introduction of new products and the inter-company transfer of products between international and/or domestic manufacturing locations. Identifies and analyzes opportunities, develops project plans for prioritized projects, and manages assigned projects through completion that improve KNA manufacturing processes, tools, and equipment for the purposes of increasing productivity, enhancing quality, and reducing manufacturing costs (optimizing the use of workers, machines, materials and facilities).
Provides day-to-day production support to operations; designs, procures, and maintains production tools and fixtures; and establishes and maintains routings. Assignments involve planning and conducting work that requires judgment in the independent evaluation, selection, and substantial adaptation and modification of standard techniques, procedures and criteria.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develops manufacturing decision-making information by calculating production, material, and labor costs; investments; and capacities as well as evaluating related constraints and timeline considerations.
- Supports the goals of new product development (NPD) initiatives by helping to insure that the selected manufacturing location has the space, processes, technology, and logistics capabilities best suited for production of new product(s).
- Assists in achieving successful and timely introduction of new products into production by supporting the voice of the customer (VOC), quality function deployment (QFD), failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), research and development (R&D), and design validation activities and takes a lead role in production, preparation, and process while working with design for manufacturability (3P/DFM) and intro-to-manufacturing activities.
- Plans, schedules, and conducts or coordinates detailed phases of manufacturing engineering work in a substantial portion of a major project or of a total project of moderate scope/scale while working with team members to ensure project success.
- Acts as a key point of contact for the inter-company transfer of manufactured products to/from AKW and KNA or within KNA.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Improves manufacturing efficiency by analyzing and planning work flow, space requirements, and equipment layout.
- Evaluates and develops alternative manufacturing processes by applying knowledge of product design, fabrication, assembly, tooling, materials, and supply chain; confers with equipment suppliers; and solicits observations from others.
- Ensures product and process quality by designing evaluation methods, testing finished product and process capabilities, establishing standards, and confirming manufacturing processes.
- Manages assigned resources and coordinates the work of those who have responsibilities in completing assigned projects.
- Collaborates with key suppliers and other departments such as Product Engineering and Operations.
- Identifies technical, scheduling, and resource concerns; implements corrective actions as needed.
- Provides input for schedules and workloads related to areas of responsibility.
- Controls expenses related to areas of responsibility.
- Conducts project/status and departmental meetings.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
- Receives routine supervision from the Director of Manufacturing Services. Work is periodically reviewed prior to completion.
- Plans and prioritizes daily activities and tasks within established methods and processes.
- Performs assignments with limited instructions as to the general results expected.
- Receives guidance on unusual or complex problems; supervisory approval is needed on proposed plans for projects.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
- Carries out supervisory responsibilities over subordinate staff members in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.
- Supervisory responsibilities include interviewing and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; recommending the hiring, rewarding, and disciplining of employees; and addressing complaints in order to resolve problems.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering or related science or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Additional class work in Lean, project management courses, and problem-solving techniques is preferred.
Experience
- Ten (10) or more years of professional Engineering or Operations experience or a combination of experience and graduate-level education.
- Ten (10) or more years of experience working with applicable CAD programs (AutoCAD, ProE/CREO preferred) and ERP systems (SAP/R3 preferred).
- Experience with new product manufacturing start-ups, and working with off-site design and/or manufacturing is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- In-depth understanding of Lean manufacturing principles, tools, and manufacturing processes, technologies, and systems.
- Skill in managing all aspects of a project including scheduling, cost, specifications, and implementation.
- Skill in building and maintaining internal and external relationships based upon, trust, confidence, and personal rapport.
- In-depth understanding of the functional principles of the equipment KNA produces and capabilities of manufacturing technologies.
- Skill in the use of MS Office products—MS Project, Visio, and Outlook.
Language Skills
- Mastery of the English language is a requirement. Other languages, such as Spanish, German, and Chinese are preferred.
- Sill in reading, analyzing, and interpreting spreadsheets, technical data, and regulatory documents.
- Skill in making presentations to both internal and external audiences.
Mathematical Skills
- Skill in calculating figures and amounts such as capacities, efficiencies, productivities, and yields.
- Skill in applying the concepts of algebra and geometry.
Reasoning Ability
- Develops and analyzes data to solve practical problems with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
- Interprets a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form from colleagues whose native language is not English.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Frequent sitting, standing, walking, and occasional stair-climbing.
- Responds to all Operations areas as needed.
- Occasional lifting and carrying of up to 40 pounds required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Primarily in an office setting with some exposure to factory environment with noise.
- Travel is required, both domestic and international (including Mexico, Asia and Europe).
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job. These may be added, removed, changed, or reassigned as needed to accommodate business requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
We are an equal opportunity employer.
