Plant Engineering Manager

The Plant Engineering Manager leads Hengst of North America’s process / manufacturing engineering department, including all associated industrialization projects. The individual should be technically minded with a true passion for manufacturing and strategic vision of industrialization processes. This person should have significant “hands-on” experience in the design and manufacture of automotive systems and components in a global organization. Must be technologically current, push to excel, and strive for continuous improvement.

Responsibilities include building quality into manufacturing processes, defining the strategic vision and then executing the implementation of new products, processes, and equipment. Lead efforts to continuously improve manufacturing processes and productivity. The individual must be able to address key issues and challenges, take ownership of the industrialization areas, exhibit engineering and project leadership, and work well in a cross functional team environment.

• Create and then lead the implementation of the industrialization strategy for Hengst of North America.
• Live the company’s vision and goals every day.
• Build a team of process / manufacturing engineers striving to achieve world class engineering / equipment performance and best practice manufacturing processes.
• Provide a framework for the team to meet quality, productivity, project, and financial goals.
• Lead and drive data driven process improvements and problem solving.
• Make and execute difficult decisions based on the best available data.
• Lead and develop solutions to process related issues across the organization using the appropriate tools (Lean, PFMEA, control plans, flow charts, 8D, TPM, one piece flow, mistake proofing, 5S, etc.)
• Work cross-functionally throughout the organization.
• Develop and manage several complex projects simultaneously, meeting industrialization milestones and critical path items on time and under budget.
• Develop partnerships with equipment suppliers to support new product and process introductions with cost effective, efficient, and quality focused processes that maximize payback of financial capital and meet all customer requirements.
• Support new business opportunities with estimates, quotations, process flows, and other APQP items.
• Work closely with Sales and Applications Engineering to develop customer proposals and presentations
• Gain a working knowledge of highly engineered fluid management components and systems.
• Continually develop and optimize the Hengst Product Development Process (HPDP), ensuring the process is developed to maximize the usefulness of the process, with minimal effort and continued compliance with TS and APQP standards.

• Minimum of 10 years leading diverse process and/or manufacturing engineering teams and projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field; master’s degree a plus.
• Proven ability to meet or exceed customer expectations concerning machining, assembly, and/or testing processes in an automotive tier 1 environment.
• Experience with APQP and Automotive Advanced Product Development processes
• Ability to quickly assess and respond to issues in a focused and timely manner.
• Technical ability to manage and lead problem analyses and resolutions for often complex issues.
• Proven ability to drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to work with all levels of the organization in a team environment.
• Current on latest technologies and best practices.
• Able to analyze strengths and weakness and address as needed.
• Exhibit strong strategic planning, departmental management, team mentality, imagination, and diplomacy.
• Strong project management skills with a proven track record for successful implementations on time.
• Knowledge and experience with complex drawings and CAD/CAM.
• Ability to work independently as well as being adept at enhancing team success through leadership and active participation in teams
• Experience building a successful Project Management system
• Problem-solver with strong customer/executive relationship management abilities
• Must be willing to travel as needed.

• Self-starter with a pioneering spirit; resourceful and able to take ownership quickly and reliably
• Energized by an entrepreneurial environment; comfortable “doing the work”
• Persistent and resilient
• Open, honest and genuine
• Passionate and committed
• Creative and imaginative
• Motivated by business accomplishments vs. personal agenda

This position is located in Camden South Carolina and will directly report to the Plant Manager.