Director of AME

Air Distribution Technologies Careers•Plano, TX

About The Position

The Director of Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) leads AME and New Product Introduction (NPI) across the Air Distribution PBU, driving operational excellence, capacity optimization, and financial performance in a PE-driven environment. The role builds and leads a high-performing, agile team focused on improving manufacturing performance across priority sites. It is accountable for end-to-end AME and NPI execution, manufacturing cost savings and standard cost implementation, capacity utilization and productivity, technology standardization, timely product launches aligned to KPIs and APQP standards, and an inclusive culture with a diverse leadership pipeline. The Director develops and executes multi-year strategies to improve capability, capacity, and operational performance; leads capacity planning, line design, and process optimization; and aligns team structure and skills with business objectives and KPI/EBITDA targets. The role partners with manufacturing, engineering, and commercial leaders, prioritizes resources for key initiatives, applies lean principles, TPS, and the Danaher Business Model, and advances manufacturing efficiency, digitalization, and automation. It also leads NPI execution, launch performance, team development, capital equipment deployment, manufacturing process improvement, and performance improvement at critical sites. Travel is approximately 70%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Operations.
10+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, and/or engineering.
Proven leadership in multi-site, global environments.
Strong experience and hands-on use of lean tools to achieve results.
Demonstrated experience transitioning from limited production schedules to BOMs and routings, and conducting time studies and capacity studies.
Strong track record building and transforming AME/NPI organizations.
Ability to lead in a matrix environment and influence at all levels.
Expertise in lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
Strong communication and strategic execution skills.
Ability to travel approximately 70%.

Nice To Haves

MBA or equivalent advanced degree.
Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

Lead Advanced Manufacturing Engineering and New Product Introduction across the Air Distribution PBU.
Own end-to-end AME and NPI execution, including manufacturing cost savings and standard cost implementation.
Optimize capacity utilization, productivity, and technology standardization.
Ensure successful, timely product launches aligned with KPIs and APQP standards.
Develop and execute 3–5 year strategies to improve capability, capacity, and operational performance.
Lead capacity planning, line design, and process optimization.
Align team structure and skills with business objectives and KPI/EBITDA targets.
Partner with manufacturing, engineering, and commercial leaders to exceed customer expectations.
Prioritize and allocate resources to key ADS and ACS X Matrix initiatives for on-target, on-budget delivery.
Apply lean principles, TPS, and the Danaher Business Model to standardize processes.
Drive manufacturing efficiency, including productivity and TPM, as well as digital and automation initiatives.
Partner with engineering and commercial teams on NPI execution and ensure adherence to launch KPIs and the manufacturing operating structure SQDCM.
Build, coach, and develop a high-performance, globally distributed team; foster inclusion, engagement, and organizational health; and mentor leaders to strengthen the talent pipeline.
Lead capital equipment specification, installation, and ramp-to-rate execution.
Troubleshoot and improve manufacturing processes using data and advanced techniques.
Deploy resources to critical sites to accelerate performance improvements.
Drive improvements for paint systems, including TPM and automation functions.