Manufacturing Excellence Engineer
Location: Miamisburg, OH - Onsite
*At this time we are unable to provide sponsorship for this role*

Position Summary
The Manufacturing Excellence Engineer is responsible for improving manufacturing performance through the application of Lean Manufacturing and Toyota Production System (TPS) principles across Accelevation's manufacturing operations.

This role partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Planning, and Executive Leadership to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and inventory through structured problem solving, standardized operating systems, and leadership development.

The Manufacturing Excellence Engineer serves as an internal Lean expert, working directly with manufacturing leaders to identify waste, stabilize processes, improve flow, and implement sustainable operational improvements. Success in this role is measured by the organization's ability to solve problems, improve performance, and sustain results-not simply by completing improvement projects.

This position requires a highly visible, hands-on approach, with significant time spent on the production floor observing work, coaching leaders, facilitating problem solving, and driving continuous improvement at the source.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Partner with manufacturing leadership to identify opportunities to improve Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Productivity, and Inventory performance.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing and Toyota Production System (TPS) principles to eliminate waste and improve operational performance.
• Facilitate Value Stream Mapping activities to identify current-state conditions and develop future-state improvement plans.
• Lead Kaizen events and structured improvement activities focused on measurable operational results.
• Develop and implement Standard Work, Leader Standard Work, Daily Management Systems, and Visual Management across manufacturing operations.
• Coach leaders in PDCA, A3 Thinking, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Observe manufacturing processes through regular Gemba activities and recommend practical improvements that improve safety, flow, quality, and productivity.
• Analyze manufacturing constraints, labor utilization, material flow, and production performance to identify opportunities for increased throughput and reduced variation.
• Develop manufacturing performance metrics and visual management tools that improve operational decision-making.
• Support manufacturing capacity planning through workflow analysis and process optimization.
• Partner with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Planning, and Operations to resolve cross-functional operational challenges.
• Utilize ERP and manufacturing data to identify trends, measure performance, and prioritize improvement initiatives.
• Document and standardize best practices to ensure improvements are sustained across multiple manufacturing facilities.
• Support facility expansions, process development, new product introductions, and other strategic manufacturing initiatives as assigned.
• Travel to facilities as needed.

Experience

• Five (5) or more years of experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or Continuous Improvement initiatives within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success improving manufacturing performance through Lean Manufacturing principles and structured problem solving.
• Experience facilitating Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen events, and cross-functional improvement initiatives.
• Experience implementing Standard Work, Leader Standard Work, Daily Management Systems, and Visual Management.
• Experience utilizing manufacturing and ERP data to identify opportunities, prioritize improvements, and measure operational performance.
• Experience working in complex manufacturing environments involving fabrication, assembly, automation, modular manufacturing, or engineered products preferred.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Toyota Production System (TPS) principles.
Demonstrated ability to influence leaders and drive organizational change without direct authority.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, workflow analysis, and process optimization.
Experience utilizing structured problem-solving methodologies including PDCA, A3 Thinking, 5 Why, and Root Cause Analysis.
Ability to analyze manufacturing data and translate findings into practical operational improvements.
Excellent facilitation, communication, and coaching skills.
Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization, from production employees to executive leadership.
Self-motivated with a strong bias toward action and continuous improvement.

Education/Certifications
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business, or a related technical discipline required. Equivalent manufacturing experience will also be considered.
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification or equivalent demonstrated Lean Manufacturing expertise preferred.
Additional Lean, Six Sigma, or Operational Excellence certifications are desirable.

Key Characteristics

• This professional must consistently demonstrate the core value of the organization:
• Judgement
• Safety
• Accountability
• Speed
• Fearless Innovation
• Inclusion

Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to hear, speak and exchange information with fellow employees.

Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment including laptops, keyboards, monitors, and phones.
The employee is required to sit at a desk/work area for extended periods of time.
The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms.
The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as viewing a computer terminal; preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; extensive reading.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Be able to wear all (PPE) Personal Protection Equipment.

Note
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.