Technical Manufacturing Leader

Newell Brands•Wichita, KS

About The Position

The Technical Manufacturing Leader is responsible for leading and directing all technical functions within the operation. The Technical Manufacturing Leader develops and implements systems and processes to meet or exceed organizational objectives in OEE, MUV, quality, housekeeping, process optimization, and TPM execution. The role provides technical support to Operations, Engineering, and Maintenance while driving continuous improvement, equipment reliability, and root-cause problem solving. The Manager Manufacturing Repair & Maintenance also ensures appropriate staffing and technical resources are available to support the manufacturing building plan and project engineering requirements throughout the facility.

Requirements

Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, equipment, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.
5+ years of technical leadership experience in a manufacturing environment
Experience with Lean tools and techniques.
Proven proficiency in the practical application of 5S, SMED, TPM, Visual Factory, and Kaizen practices in a manufacturing environment.
Experience with OEE, process optimization, root-cause analysis, and equipment reliability.
Proven leadership track record in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Ability to balance and execute multiple tasks simultaneously while effectively prioritizing resources and business needs.
Self-starter and motivated leader of change and continuous improvement.
Ability to develop, coach, and mentor technical teams and cross-functional partners.
Must demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify issues, develop solutions, and drive sustainable results

Responsibilities

Provides leadership and technical guidance to departmental supervisors, engineers, Plastics leads, technicians, and managers, including process support, facilities, mold/tool shop, and mold change functions.
Develops the overall departmental strategy and drives the tactical execution of continuous improvement initiatives focused on mold, machine, process, and facility-related technical metrics.
Assigns resources and deploys technical resources to resolve operational issues, equipment downtime, process challenges, and production constraints.
Leads troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for recurring equipment and process issues and ensures corrective actions are implemented and sustained.
Drives process optimization for Blow Molding and Thermoforming equipment to improve OEE, productivity, quality, scrap, downtime, and cycle time.
Supports the development and standardization of process parameters, setup procedures, troubleshooting guides, and standard work to ensure consistent production performance.
Supports all other departmental objectives through teamwork and collaboration.
Works to continuously improve safety in the department and facility by addressing both physical safety issues and employee behaviors.
Partners with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Operations, and other functions to support new equipment, tooling, molds, process improvements, and production launches.
Maintains and improves housekeeping in all areas and ensures 5S/6S standards are established and sustained.
Develops technical capabilities within the team through coaching, training, and knowledge sharing to build stronger problem-solving and equipment/process expertise.
Tracks and communicates key technical performance metrics and develops action plans to address gaps and improve department performance.