Director of Operations Engineering- Hybrid

Traffic and Parking Control Co•Brown Deer, WI

8h•$150,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Operations Engineering leads the Manufacturing Engineering (ME) and Applications Engineering team (Engineer to Order quote to production release). This position works on cross-functional teams, leading or as a member, to drive continuous improvement efforts and works as a change agent initiating and managing projects to improve methods, equipment and product development projects. This position is accountable for developing production and engineering policies, practices and procedures to improve quality and efficiency in a low volume, high mix of signage and warning systems assembly operation. This position plays an ownership role in ensuring projects meet business, schedule and budget objectives.

Requirements

Industrial engineering principles and methods
Labor standards development and time studies
Capacity planning and production modeling
Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies
Value Stream Mapping
Facility and material flow design
Data analytics and operational reporting
ERP systems and manufacturing data analysis
Advanced Excel, Power BI, SQL, or similar analytical tools preferred
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive organizational change
Excellent communication and presentation skill.
Project management and prioritization capabilities
Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution
Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management, or related technical field
8+ years of industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, or operations improvement experience
3+ years of leadership experience managing engineering or continuous improvement teams
Experience in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment required
Proven success leading productivity, throughput, and operational improvement initiatives
Lean Process design such as Toyota Production System or Demand Flow Technology experience
Experience supporting ERP-driven manufacturing environments

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop a team of Industrial Engineers and Manufacturing Engineers.
Establish departmental goals, priorities, and project portfolios aligned with business objectives.
Create a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and data-driven decision-making.
Manage engineering resources and project prioritization to maximize operational impact.
Identify and eliminate manufacturing bottlenecks that constrain throughput and revenue growth.
Lead initiatives to improve labor productivity, equipment utilization, and workflow efficiency.
Develop and maintain labor standards, routing structures, and production time estimates.
Analyze production performance and implement corrective actions to improve efficiency.
Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives including waste elimination, flow improvement, visual management, and standard work.
Develop manufacturing capacity models and labor forecasting tools.
Partner with Operations and Planning to understand future demand requirements and capacity constraints.
Evaluate make-versus-buy opportunities, staffing requirements, and capital investment needs.
Support strategic growth planning through facility, equipment, and labor capacity assessments.
Lead value stream mapping and process analysis efforts.
Improve material flow throughout manufacturing and warehouse operations.
Optimize facility layouts, work cell design, point-of-use inventory, and workplace organization.
Develop scalable production processes capable of supporting increasing product complexity and demand.
Develop operational dashboards and performance reporting systems.
Analyze ERP, manufacturing, labor, and warehouse data to identify trends and opportunities.
Establish operational KPIs and ensure performance visibility throughout the organization.
Provide recommendations to senior leadership based on quantitative analysis.
Identify and evaluate automation opportunities appropriate for a high-mix, low-volume environment.
Develop business cases and ROI analyses for automation, equipment, and technology investments.
Lead implementation of manufacturing technologies and process improvements.
Support digital transformation initiatives involving ERP, MES, scheduling, and operational analytics systems.
Partner with Manufacturing, Planning, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Customer Service to resolve operational challenges.
Support new product introduction activities to ensure manufacturability and operational readiness.
Participate in S&OP, capacity planning, and strategic operations reviews.
Drive alignment between engineering improvements and operational objectives.