Process Engineering Team Leader – Manufacturing

Hitachi•Batesburg-Leesville, SC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

HITACHI RAIL is looking for an enthusiastic self-motivated Process Engineering Team Leader - Manufacturing who thrives in a fast-paced environment. The successful candidate is comfortable performing a wide range of tasks from administrative to strategic. This position is based in Batesburg, SC. We are seeking a highly skilled Process Engineering Team Leader to lead the development, optimization, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes across production lines. This role ensures efficient, safe, and cost-effective operations while maintaining high-quality standards and supporting new product introduction and industrialization activities.

Requirements

8+ years of manufacturing/process engineering experience with 3+ years in leadership roles.
Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, industrial engineering principles, and process optimization.
Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Proven experience with data analysis, root cause analysis, and performance metric tracking.
Strong cross-functional collaboration, communication, and leadership skills.
English proficiency

Nice To Haves

Experience with plant layout design, workflow optimization, and material handling systems.
Knowledge of ERP systems, equipment maintenance strategies, and reliability engineering.
Experience designing tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing systems.
Proficiency with data analysis tools (e.g., Minitab, Excel, or similar).
Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred (or ability to acquire in first year).
Experience supporting NPI, DFM/DFX, and manufacturing industrialization activities.
Experience with PTD practices and principles.

Responsibilities

Lead a team of process and industrial engineers to design, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes and workflows.
Analyze manufacturing processes, identify bottlenecks, and implement improvements to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance product quality.
Design and optimize factory layouts, workstation configurations, and material flow to maximize productivity.
Define time and motion studies to develop standard work and improve ergonomics and throughput.
Collaborate with maintenance teams to drive equipment reliability, uptime, and preventive/predictive maintenance strategies.
Develop and implement tooling, fixtures, and process documentation strategy to support production.
Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for process failures and quality issues.
Collect and analyze production data to monitor KPIs and drive data-driven decision making.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives including Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen events.
Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards across all processes.
Cultivate a high‑trust team environment by demonstrating self‑awareness, empathy, and constructive communication.
Adapt leadership style to support diverse team dynamics and performance under pressure.
Model composure and emotional regulation during ambiguity, setbacks, and operational challenges.
Address conflict openly and fairly to maintain a respectful and collaborative work environment.
Coach and develop team members in communication, feedback, and emotional intelligence skills.
Create psychological safety where team members feel empowered to share ideas and raise concerns.