Director, Manufacturing Engineering & Lean Enterprise

New Flyer • Winnipeg, MB

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

New Flyer is North America’s heavy-duty transit bus leader, providing sustainable mobility solutions through transit buses, technology, and infrastructure. New Flyer is a subsidiary of NFI Group, a leader in propulsion agnostic bus and coach mobility solutions. Building on its 90+ year legacy of innovation, New Flyer is the only manufacturer offering all three types of zero-emission transit buses, with over 1,900 zero-emission buses delivered to date. New Flyer actively supports over 35,000 heavy-duty transit buses currently operated by approximately 500 agencies. The Director, Manufacturing Engineering & Lean Enterprise is responsible for leading manufacturing engineering, make/buy strategy, and lean transformation initiatives; with scope encompassing all New Flyer and MCI fabrication operations in North America. This role drives operational excellence, manufacturing readiness, and strategic growth by aligning engineering, operations, and sourcing functions to deliver high-quality products efficiently and competitively.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering or related field
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment
• Strong expertise in manufacturing engineering, lean manufacturing, and operational excellence
• Proven ability to lead large, multi-site teams and complex initiatives
• Experience with make/buy strategy, capital planning, and production optimization
• Demonstrated financial acumen, including budgeting and cost management
• Strong project management and strategic planning capabilities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Proficiency with MS Office and standard business systems
• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments, including walking, standing, and sitting for extended periods
• Comfortable working in industrial environments with appropriate PPE
• Up to 20% travel within North America; must be eligible to travel to Canada and the U.S.

Nice To Haves

• P.Eng., CET, or equivalent designation preferred
• Lean/Six Sigma or related continuous improvement certification considered an asset

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing engineering teams across multiple fabrication locations in Canada and the U.S., ensuring alignment with strategic and operational goals
• Establish and drive make vs. buy strategy in collaboration with operations, sourcing, and process planning teams
• Lead the Lean Enterprise function and advance the operational excellence (OpEx) journey across all fabrication sites
• Develop and co-manage manufacturing readiness processes to ensure consistent, high-quality production outcomes
• Oversee facility-level strategic initiatives, including capital projects and continuous improvement programs
• Define and execute capital investment, equipment modernization, and technology roadmaps
• Contribute to the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and support long-term strategic planning initiatives
• Develop and manage departmental budgets, including capital, labor, and operational expenses
• Partner with Finance and senior leadership to support financial performance, including cost management, P&L oversight, and strategic initiatives such as footprint optimization and M&A
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards across all areas of responsibility
• Drive continuous improvement through preventative maintenance and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) programs to reduce downtime and improve reliability
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-performance team environment that drives engagement and results

Benefits

• Be a part of a team leading the world’s electrification of mass mobility
• Competitive wages and comprehensive benefit package with immediate benefit eligibility
• Paid holidays and vacation
• Registered pension plan with generous company match
• Passionate about creating a better product, a better workplace, and a better world
• Inclusive workplace culture that values and empowers team members.
• On-the-job training in a continuous learning environment (we invested $15.9 million in 2024)
• Advancement opportunities within our family of companies
• We are proudly named one of Manitoba’s Top 25 employers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director