Senior Manufacturing Engineer Manager

Ashley Furniture • Arcadia, WI

71d

About The Position

The Senior Manager of Manufacturing Engineering provides strategic and tactical leadership for the entire manufacturing engineering function. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence by developing and executing strategies for process optimization, new process introduction (NPI), capital equipment investment, and automation. As a key member of the site leadership team, this manager will lead a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and technicians to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost across all production lines and equipment, ensuring our manufacturing processes are robust, scalable, and world-class.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing engineering within a complex industrial environment.
• 5+ years of experience in a formal leadership or management role, with a proven track record of supervising and developing engineers and technical staff.
• Demonstrated success in leading large-scale capital projects, NPI launches, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Deep, hands-on expertise with Lean Manufacturing principles and methodologies.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing departmental and capital budgets.

Nice To Haves

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Experience in a highly regulated industry (e.g., automotive, medical device, aerospace).
• Hands-on experience with automation, robotics, and MES/ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the long-term manufacturing engineering roadmap, aligning it with overall business objectives and technology trends (Industry 4.0)
• Serve as the primary technical authority for all manufacturing processes, equipment, and facility layouts
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Manufacturing Engineers, Manufacturing Engineer Managers, Engineering Supervisors, and Engineering Technicians
• Manage performance, set clear objectives, and provide regular coaching and feedback to foster professional growth and build a high-performing team
• Lead the manufacturing engineering activities for all NPI projects, ensuring seamless transition from design to full-scale production
• Champion Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles by collaborating with R&D and product design teams early in the development cycle
• Champion a site-wide continuous improvement culture, leveraging Lean and Six Sigma methodologies (e.g., VSM, Kaizen, 5S, Root Cause Analysis) to eliminate waste and optimize efficiency
• Lead initiatives to improve key performance indicators (KPIs) such as Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), cycle time, scrap rates, and first-pass yield
• Lead the identification, scoping, and justification of major capital projects, including creating detailed business cases with ROI analysis
• Manage the entire lifecycle of capital projects-from equipment specification and vendor selection to installation, commissioning, and final handover to operations

Benefits

• Health, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Your Birthday off
• Generous Employee Discount on home furnishings
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Ashley Wellness Centers (location specific) and Medical Tourism
• Telehealth
• 401(k) and Profit Sharing
• Life Insurance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees