Director, Manufacturing Engineering

At GE Appliances, a Haier company, we come together to make good things, for life. As the fastest-growing appliance company in the U.S., we’re powered by creators, thinkers and makers who believe that anything is possible and that there’s always a better way. We believe in the power of our people and in giving them the freedom to explore, discover and build good things, together.

Director, Manufacturing Engineering

USA, Decatur, AL

• Establish and lead an integrated Manufacturing Engineering organization, including Manufacturing Engineering, Facilities Engineering, and Maintenance teams.
• Develop team objectives, build technical capability, and mentor engineering and maintenance talent.
• Recruit, coach, and develop a high‑performing team while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Own the overall technical performance of the plant, including production equipment, tooling, and facility infrastructure.
• Partner with Operations to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), equipment reliability, quality, productivity, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Lead equipment, tooling, and process improvements that support safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.

• Develop and execute preventive maintenance strategies that maximize equipment performance while minimizing downtime.
• Optimize maintenance resources to support production schedules and long‑term equipment reliability.

• Develop manufacturing strategies that support future business needs, including:
  • New Product Introductions (NPI)
  • Product line expansions and volume changes
  • Cost reduction initiatives
  • Long‑term manufacturing planning
• Evaluate future capacity through scenario planning and manufacturing strategy development.

• Represent the plant during NPI program reviews to ensure manufacturing readiness.
• Coordinate seamless transitions from product development into production by ensuring equipment, tooling, staffing, and technical resources are prepared for successful launches.

• Own the plant’s capital project portfolio and annual spending plan.
• Prioritize investments that improve safety, quality, productivity, and operational performance.
• Partner with Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, Advanced Quality Engineering, Operations, Lean, and Product teams on strategic manufacturing initiatives.

• Drive Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement throughout the plant.
• Identify waste, improve processes, and support productivity initiatives using Lean tools and the Appliance Performance System.

• Maintain ownership of plant facilities, infrastructure, and space utilization.
• Ensure all equipment and process changes comply with Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS), ergonomic, and Human Organizational Performance (HOP) standards.

• Technical degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 7+ years in progressive manufacturing leadership roles.
• Strong operational plant finance background and understanding.
• Strong understanding of Union Relations and demonstrated experience building relationships with Union leadership.
• Experience managing large manufacturing and engineering projects.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, develop, grow and maintain a skilled engineering team.
• Fluent with Lean manufacturing principles.
• Strong communication skills – will be expected to communicate to all levels of the organization, from the plant floor up to executive staff members.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of cross‑functional program deliverables and drive decisions based on the overall benefit to the company.

• BS Engineering (IE, ME or EE) or equivalent.
• Six Sigma certification with strong knowledge of LEAN, DMAIC, workout and other change mechanisms.
• Demonstrated leadership responsibility in a union manufacturing environment.
• Lean Manufacturing…