The RoleWe're seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead manufacturing engineering across two production facilities in Holland, Michigan, supporting approximately 250 employees. You'll lead a team of two Manufacturing Engineers while partnering closely with Operations and Product Design Engineering to improve manufacturability, drive continuous improvement, and execute capital projects that support business growth.
The two facilities serve different manufacturing models-engineered-to-order custom products and configured-to-order production with aftermarket warehousing-making this an exciting opportunity for a leader who enjoys solving diverse operational challenges.
What You'll Do:Lead Manufacturing Engineering- Lead, coach, and develop a team of two Manufacturing Engineers.
- Establish team priorities, performance goals, and professional development plans.
- Foster a collaborative culture focused on safety, quality, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement.
- Partner with Operations leadership to improve productivity and remove operational barriers.
Drive Capital Projects & Facility Improvements- Lead the planning, justification, and execution of capital investment (CAPEX) projects.
- Manage equipment upgrades, facility improvements, infrastructure enhancements, and capacity expansion projects.
- Oversee facility maintenance strategies in partnership with internal teams and external vendors.
- Deliver projects safely, on schedule, and within budget.
Improve Manufacturing Processes- Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, quality, productivity, and cost performance.
- Analyze manufacturing processes and implement practical solutions to improve efficiency and eliminate waste.
- Support the implementation of new manufacturing technologies and automation where appropriate.
- Drive measurable operational improvements across both facilities.
Partner Across Engineering & Operations- Serve as the primary manufacturing engineering liaison between Product Design Engineering and Operations.
- Influence product designs to improve manufacturability, quality, and cost.
- Support new product introductions and engineering changes while ensuring manufacturing readiness.
- Build strong cross-functional relationships with Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and Production teams.
Lead Cross-Functional Projects- Manage multiple engineering and operational projects simultaneously.
- Develop project plans, budgets, schedules, and resource plans.
- Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies.
- Communicate progress and results with business leaders and stakeholders.
Champion Safety & Quality- Support root cause investigations and corrective actions.
- Ensure compliance with safety standards, company policies, and applicable regulations.
- Promote a culture where safety, accountability, and continuous improvement are everyday priorities.
What You'll Bring:- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
- 5 plus years of manufacturing engineering, operations engineering, or related experience
- 2 plus years of people leadership experience, or demonstrated success leading cross-functional engineering projects
- Experience leading manufacturing process improvements and Lean initiatives
- Proven success managing CAPEX projects from planning through implementation
- Strong project management, budgeting, and resource planning skills
- Experience working closely with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and Product Engineering teams
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- A collaborative, hands-on leadership style with a passion for continuous improvement.
Why This Role?This is more than a traditional manufacturing engineering management position. You'll have the opportunity to:
- Influence manufacturing strategy across two unique production environments
- Lead meaningful capital investments that improve operations
- Build strong partnerships between Engineering and Operations
- Develop and mentor an engineering team
- Drive Lean transformation and operational excellence
- Make visible contributions that improve safety, quality, productivity, and customer satisfaction
If you're an engineering leader who enjoys rolling up your sleeves, developing people, and making a measurable impact on manufacturing performance, we'd love to hear from you.
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Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.
At Xylem, you'll not only contribute to solving water issues but also have the chance to make a difference through our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark. We prioritize our employees' well-being through inclusion and belonging as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERG).
Please note that the information in this job description outlines the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Xylem is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to enable all employees to perform their essential job functions. We reserve the right to modify this job description and assign additional duties as needed. Embrace the opportunity to be part of Xylem's transformative journey in shaping the future of water technology! #XylemCareers #GlobalImpact #WaterInnovation
