GE Appliances

Director, Advanced Manufacturing

GE Appliances$125K — $150K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering discipline.
  • Master's Degree in business or engineering preferred.
  • 10+ years of experience in procurement and installation of manufacturing equipment.
  • Experience leading advanced manufacturing engineering teams.
  • Proficient in Lean principles and project management.
  • Strong communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and change management.
  • Familiarity with New Product Introduction (NPI) processes.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute capital equipment budget and strategies.
  • Lead a multi-disciplinary team ensuring project compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
  • Manage project timelines, budgets, and risks, prioritizing resource allocation for on-time delivery.
  • Review and approve all advanced manufacturing projects, providing insightful feedback.
  • Facilitate the use of Lean manufacturing tools to improve efficiency and reduce complexity.
  • Collaborate with product teams to align manufacturing resources for project execution.
  • Mentor and develop team members while managing their performance and career growth.

Benefits

  • Career development and mentorship opportunities.
  • Potential for cross-functional collaboration.
  • Involvement in strategic project budgets and management.
  • Opportunity to implement Lean manufacturing principles.
  • Diverse working environment with exposure to advanced manufacturing technologies.
Full Job Description
The Director, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering is responsible for the strategy and execution of capital equipment, tooling, automation, and facilities projects (NPI, capacity, material cost out, plant efficiency) for the assigned product line and manufacturing site.

The role will develop and execute the capital equipment budget, leading a multi-discipled Advanced Manufacturing Engineer team. They will ensure projects are run safely, on budget, and on schedule maximizing return on investment. They are the primary reviewer and approver for manufacturing projects in the facility, responsible for ensuring all activities and processes conform with regulatory, OSHA, GE Appliance, and industry standards.

Goals include reducing manufacturing complexity, improving efficiency, and implementing state of the art automation and material systems to achieve best in class safety, quality, and operational efficiency.
Position
Director, Advanced Manufacturing
Location
USA, Louisville, KY

How You'll Create Possibilities
Essential results-based duties

Organizational Leadership (30%)
  • Review, Track, and Manage all advanced manufacturing risk within the facility. Ensure resources are adequately deployed to resolve gaps based on business priorities and elevate any organizational gaps as required.
  • Responsible for the AME team's compliance to GEA Controllership rules with respect to asset classification, asset identification and capital effort allocation for all tooling and equipment projects lead by the team. Provide appropriate mentoring to AME project leaders as needed.
  • Recruit, manage and mentor AME team members within the product line. Duties include relevant human resource and development aspects, annual reviews, training, and career development of employees.
  • Ensure all resources are appropriately allocated to support program objectives.


Standards and Compliance (20%)
  • Primary manufacturing reviewer for all product line/project checkpoints. As the primary reviewer, They are responsible to provide in-depth analysis of all programs/projects and provide an overall assessment of the program risk with respect to conforming to GE standards, processes, and initiatives in addition to ensuring the manufacturing plan for the program optimizes business objectives/metrics and factory deliverables (Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost).They are expected to provide feedback and recommendations for improvements when gaps are identified.
  • Ensure all equipment executed in GEA factories comply with Industry and Governmental Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) standards.
  • Work with functional leaders to ensure equipment & processes support business initiatives including Lean Manufacturing, Ergonomic Design and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)


Strategic Execution & Cross-functional Leadership (50%)
  • Prioritize project activity and resources to ensure on-time implementation and benefit; leverage financial metrics to manage risk to schedule, budget or program costs.
  • Work with Product Management and Product Development teams to align manufacturing resources to execute project. Provide manufacturing input to project scopes for capital equipment/tooling, factory layout, manufacturing processes, material flow, testing equipment and resources required to execute the projects.
  • Identify, elevate and/or mitigate project risks that could impact project delivery of safety, product performance, quality, cost, factory readiness, regulatory or commercial requirements.
  • Manage project budgets, including the NPI, capacity, and Factory Master Plan spend.
  • Compile and analyze data, prepare and present reports and project information for leadership reviews.
  • Champion, promote and teach the use of lean tools and principles in all areas of the project. Facilitate/lead/promote the use of the Production Preparation Process (3P) while developing manufacturing equipment and processes. Utilize cross-functional participation to ensure that the equipment and processes are compatible with the entire value stream.
  • Promote and teach Lean manufacturing principles including the use Appliance Production System within the factory process areas.
  • Work with design team to ensure Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DFMA) is executed on all parts, assemblies, and processes.


What You'll Bring to Our Team

Position Requirements:
  • Experience managing capital equipment procurement projects: Including specification development, supplier selection, technical reviews, installation, and qualification of equipment
  • Experience in a large-scale appliance manufacturing environment.
  • Fluent in Lean manufacturing principles
  • Ability to work in large cross-functional teams and at multiple levels in the organization (both salaried and shop floor operators / skilled trades team members).
  • Ability to communicate effectively and be an agent for change.
  • Good organizational, project management and presentation skills to interact with all levels within the organization and with suppliers/vendors.
  • Experience and understanding of cross-functional appliance NPI process.
  • Experience leading an advance manufacturing engineering team.
  • Demonstrated ability to mentor, develop, grow, and maintain a skilled engineering team.


Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering discipline.
  • Master's Degree in business or engineering.
  • 10+ years of experience with procurement, testing, installation of manufacturing equipment.
  • Manufacturing project leadership experience: demonstrated ability to build and manage an engineering team.
  • Demonstrated project management capabilities
  • Manage project risk to meet technical & commercial requirements.
  • New Product Introduction (NPI) experience capabilities.
  • Strategic planning capabilities.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with assembly line design, automation and customized fabrication equipment and manufacturing processes
  • Experience with implementing Lean process improvement in a manufacturing operation
  • Experience in operational plant Manufacturing Engineering a plus
  • Familiarity of capitalization requirements, understanding business financials
  • Six Sigma Certification
  • Proficient in MS Office, MS Scheduler (or equivalent) and AutoCAD


Working Conditions:
  • Working conditions are normal for a high-volume manufacturing environment.
  • Work may involve lifting of materials and product up to 30 pounds and working in and around heavy equipment.
  • Working in this environment requires the use of safety equipment to include but not limited to; eye safety glasses, hearing protectors, work boots, and hardhats.
  • These roles will require frequent walking in a manufacturing plant environment.
  • 20-30% travel may be for domestic and/or international travel to supplier sites/ plants, etc
  • Hours & Weekends: Working off-shift and weekends will be required.

About GE Appliances

GE Appliances is a home appliance manufacturer that produces a range of products including refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, and laundry machines. The company was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. GE Appliances is a subsidiary of Haier Group, a Chinese multinational consumer electronics and home appliances company. The company has a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, and has received numerous awards for its products and practices. GE Appliances has manufacturing facilities in the US and has a presence in over 100 countries.
Learn more about GE Appliances
Size
12,000 employees
Industry
Founded
2004

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at GE Appliances

More Manufacturing & Automotive Jobs

Find similar Director, Advanced Manufacturing jobs: