Reporting to the Sr. Director – Global Quality, the Senior Manager – Global Manufacturing Process Improvement builds the systems that improve how JLG factories build product, and deploys them across our global manufacturing footprint. This is an enterprise role: you will design the improvement methodology, prove it at the sites, and then standardize and scale it worldwide.

The role owns the improvement approach for First Pass Yield (FPY) and Defects Per Unit (DPU) and leads the shift from catching defects to preventing them.

You will work on the floor with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, and Quality to find where processes lose capability and stability, lead the teams that fix them, and turn what works into a repeatable global standard. You will bring the same discipline into new product and manufacturing launches, designing problems out early so that every machine we ship leaves the line defect free.

This is a leadership role for someone who has run improvement projects themselves and can now set the direction, build the system, coach the teams, and hold the results.

YOUR IMPACT

• Design, build, and deploy global manufacturing process improvement systems, standards, and playbooks — then drive consistent adoption across sites, regions, and business units.
• Own the enterprise improvement approach for First Pass Yield and Defects Per Unit — set targets, prioritize the work by business impact, and drive it to closure with site teams.
• Lead the deployment of a zero-defect, prevention-first approach across manufacturing, translating it into practical methods, standards, and site-level execution plans.
• Partner with global Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations, and Quality teams to identify and eliminate sources of process variation.
• Serve as the senior escalation point for complex manufacturing and process issues, leading containment, root cause analysis, corrective action, and sustainable resolution.
• Use customer, warranty, and field quality data to target the improvement agenda, turning recurring themes into upstream process fixes that prevent recurrence.
• Lead and coach manufacturing teams globally on structured problem solving using 8D, A3, DMAIC, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Apply engineering, statistical, and data analysis methods to identify root causes, reduce defects, and improve manufacturing performance.
• Lead process and quality integration into new product development and manufacturing launches, ensuring process risks are identified and addressed early.
• Lead APQP activities for manufacturing launches and ensure PFMEAs, Control Plans, and Reaction Plans are built into launch execution rather than added afterward.
• Provide hands-on coaching and training on structured problem solving, process capability, PFMEA, and Control Plans.
• Establish the metrics, cadence, and governance that make improvement visible and sustained across the global network.
• Provide strategic guidance to Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality leadership on where to invest improvement effort for the greatest return.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Eight (8) or more years of related work experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, continuous improvement, industrial engineering, or quality within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading improvement projects from problem definition through validated, sustained results.
• Experience leading, coaching, or influencing cross-functional teams.· Willingness to travel domestically and internationally to support site deployment.

STANDOUT QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong background in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Process Engineering, Continuous Improvement, or a related engineering discipline in a discrete manufacturing environment.
• Experience building an improvement or operating system and deploying it across multiple sites, ideally in a multi-national manufacturing organization.
• Track record of improving First Pass Yield, defects per unit, throughput, scrap, or rework through process optimization and variation reduction.
• Experience with zero defect, defect prevention, or built-in-quality strategies and the methods that support them (error proofing, process controls, layered audits, escape analysis).
• Hands-on experience analyzing manufacturing processes, identifying root causes, and implementing improvements that hold over time.
• Experience applying structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D, A3, DMAIC, or Six Sigma to complex manufacturing issues.
• Experience connecting customer, warranty, or field quality data back to manufacturing process root causes.
• Experience supporting new product introductions, manufacturing launches, process development, or industrialization activities.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing quality tools including PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, process capability, and APQP.
• Experience with complex manufacturing processes such as assembly, fabrication, welding, machining, automation, or paint operations.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools (Minitab, JMP, Excel, Power BI, or similar).
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred; Master Black Belt a plus.
• Strong project management, analytical, and communication skills with the ability to influence across all levels, functions, and regions of the organization.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The following represents general working conditions for this role. Specific conditions may vary depending on business needs and individual circumstances.

• This role combines office-based administrative duties with physical activity in field or production environments.
• In the office setting, tasks may require extended computer use, sitting, and attending meetings.
• Field or floor work may involve walking across various terrains or shop floors, standing, moderate lifting (up to 50 pounds), climbing stairs, and exposure to varying temperatures or noise levels.
• Must be able to shift focus between detailed cognitive work and occasional physical tasks as needed.
• Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities to support performance across both office and field responsibilities.

What We're Looking For

We care more about your track record of solving manufacturing problems than the title on your last badge. Candidates from manufacturing engineering, process engineering, quality engineering, and continuous improvement leadership backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Pay Range:

The above pay range reflects the minimum and maximum target pay for the position across all U.S. locations. Within this range, individual pay is determined by various factors, including the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's experience, education and skills, as well as the equity of pay among team members in similar positions. Beyond offering a competitive total rewards package, we prioritize a people-first culture and offer various opportunities to support team member growth and success.