Industrial Engineer

Vaco is hiring for an Industrial Engineer opportunity in Ripley TN Direct Hire, Onsite Salary: /yr GENERAL SUMMARY Responsible for driving organizational change and continuous improvement across Manufacturing and Distribution operations. This role supports plant leadership in producing and distributing higher-quality products with shorter lead times and reduced costs, while improving safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. The Engineer develops and implements optimal manufacturing and shipping methods to position the company as a low-cost, high-performance producer in the marketplace.

This role is responsible for supporting engineering projects, improving plant processes, and assisting in the execution of continuous improvement initiatives across multiple departments. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on cost reduction, quality improvement, safety, and delivery performance across manufacturing and distribution operations. Investigate, collect, and analyze plant data to identify process inefficiencies and recommend improvements. Monitor plant processes, layouts, and workflows to identify opportunities for optimization in equipment, labor utilization, and material flow.

Develop cost estimates, equipment justifications, and formal project reports for management review and approval. Support and track engineering and continuous improvement projects from feasibility through implementation to ensure successful completion. Assist in the design, development, and implementation of manufacturing processes that meet corporate objectives in safety, quality, cost, and delivery. Partner with vendors to obtain specifications, pricing, and technical requirements for new equipment and services.

Apply lean manufacturing principles to improve production efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance operational performance. Provide technical support to manufacturing and distribution teams regarding processes, equipment, and operational improvements. Ensure plant assets, materials, and processes are effectively utilized and continuously improved. Stay current with advancements in manufacturing technologies, engineering methods, and industry best practices. Participate in cross-functional teams to support improvement projects across departments and plant locations.

Support training and development of associate engineers and contribute to knowledge sharing within the engineering team. Assist in capital budgeting, compliance requirements, and project documentation for audits and operational readiness. Communicate project updates, technical findings, and recommendations to plant leadership and engineering management. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (required) Experience 0–7+ years of engineering experience in manufacturing or distribution environments Experience supporting process improvement, project execution, or engineering initiatives KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES Strong understanding of engineering principles, manufacturing processes, and plant operations Proficiency with analytical tools, computer applications, and data-driven decision-making

Experience with lean manufacturing, process improvement, and cost reduction methodologies Strong project coordination and organizational skills with ability to work independently or with limited supervision Effective communication skills, both verbal and written Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and support engineering initiatives Willingness to learn and apply new manufacturing technologies and methods Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment Responsible for driving organizational change and continuous improvement across manufacturing and distribution operations to improve product quality, reduce lead times, lower costs, and enhance customer satisfaction and profitability.

This role focuses on optimizing production and shipping methods to support low-cost operational performance and long-term business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Monitor manufacturing processes, workflows, and plant layouts to identify continuous improvement, quality enhancement,…