Director, Manufacturing

Default•Parsons, KS

About The Position

The Director of Manufacturing leads manufacturing activities and executes strategic initiatives, coordinating resources to fabricate, paint, and assemble heaters, tanks, piping, and accessories. The role oversees management and operations staff and promotes a safe, quality-focused, productive work environment while driving continuous improvement. The Director is responsible for manufacturing operations, including safety, production efficiency, quality, and customer service, and for maintaining an engaged, team-oriented workforce that meets business demand. The position manages the manufacturing facility and its safety, quality, delivery, and financial performance; collaborates with EHS staff on regulatory compliance; and works with the general manager, company controller, other site managers, and Operational Excellence staff on operational goals, budgets, S&OP decisions, technology, cost reduction, and continuous improvement. It also oversees organizational structure, capital planning, facility layout, training and succession planning, standard costing, production reporting, and cross-functional collaboration. The Director maintains working knowledge of manufacturing methods and technology relevant to welding, fabrication, cutting, painting, assembly, and electrical work. The role directly supervises two to four supervisory manufacturing personnel, who in turn supervise five to forty employees each, as well as one to ten nonsupervisory manufacturing office personnel. Supervisory duties include hiring, training, assigning and directing work, performance appraisal, rewards and discipline, and resolving complaints and problems in accordance with company policies and applicable laws. The position also supports Astec’s mission, values, safety procedures, and equal opportunity guidelines. The work environment is primarily an office, with occasional exposure to a manufacturing shop plant. Duties include extensive computer work, sitting, or standing. The employee is regularly exposed to risk of injury in an office environment.

Requirements

At least 10 years of manufacturing-related experience.
Experience in shop or production management, engineering, operational excellence, lean manufacturing, or a related area.
Experience in heavy steel fabrication and knowledge of welding methods including GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, and FCAW.
Understanding and use of an ERP system, such as Oracle, for work routings, standards, costing, and scheduling.
Ability to work as a team member and communicate with all levels of the company.
Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication, and presentation skills.
Proficiency with personal computers and familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite applications, with the ability to learn beyond the basics.
Ability to manage sudden project or priority changes and multiple tasks, and to set and adjust daily priorities.
Ability to manage conflict and resolve issues constructively.
Ability to identify strategic and functional problems or potential problems and make or recommend decisions to resolve them.
Strong leadership skills, organization, and time-management skills.
Willingness to accept responsibility and take on new challenges; ability to influence others through communication.
Ability to exercise a high level of independent judgment on a customary and regular basis.
Excellent customer-relations skills.
Ability to solve practical and complex problems with limited resources and interpret written, oral, or diagrammatic instructions.
If supervising welding operations, ability to understand welding symbols and diagrams.
Ability to fulfill supervisory duties, including hiring, training, planning and directing work, performance appraisal, rewards and discipline, and addressing complaints and resolving problems in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science or Arts degree in an engineering discipline, such as mechanical or industrial engineering.
Manufacturing engineering or continuous-improvement-specific experience.
ASME code quality experience.
Bachelor of Science or Arts degree in business management, finance, or another related field, together with applicable experience.

Responsibilities

Lead manufacturing operations, including safety, production efficiency, quality, and customer service.
Manage facility performance to meet safety, quality, delivery, and financial goals and standards.
Ensure a healthy and safe work environment and collaborate with EHS staff on federal and state regulatory compliance.
Lead employee engagement, involvement, productivity, and accountability across the manufacturing organization.
Assist the general manager with long-range operational goals, expansion efforts, and implementation of technology to improve performance and reduce product costs.
Organize departmental management structures and teams for efficient operations.
Work with the company controller to develop operating budgets and meet efficiency, cost, hours, and absorption targets.
Participate in the S&OP process with other site managers and make manpower and continuous-improvement decisions in support of operations.
Prepare and deliver regular progress and production reports to executive team members.
Partner with Operational Excellence staff on fact- and data-based improvement, technology and process introductions, SQDC initiatives, labor-hour reduction, lead-time improvement, and product flow.
Supervise facility capital planning, including equipment research and specifications, quoting, purchasing, maintenance, and facility layout.
Identify training opportunities and support staff development and succession planning.
Lead efforts related to standard costing, shop labor routings, and standards.
Collaborate across departments to meet the company’s strategic objectives.
Maintain working knowledge of current trends and practices in welding, fabrication, cutting, painting, assembly, and electrical work.
Carry out other special activities and responsibilities as directed.
Support Astec’s core values, mission, and vision; follow Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity guidelines and safety procedures; and wear required personal protective equipment.
Direct and evaluate the manufacturing unit and supervise manufacturing personnel, including hiring, training, work direction, performance appraisal, rewards and discipline, and complaint and problem resolution.