AME & Project Leader

Job description

Job Title: AME Leader & Project Leader – Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Role Overview The AME (Advanced Manufacturing Engineering) Leader & Project Leader is a strategic manufacturing leadership role responsible for driving plant transformation, digitalization, new product industrialization, and capital project execution . The role provides end-to-end leadership across strategy, technology, operations, and execution , acting as the Plant Operations Lead for New Product Development (NPD) while ensuring excellence in safety, quality, cost, delivery, and customer satisfaction . This position plays a critical role in enabling Industry 4.0 adoption, facility expansion, productivity improvements, and cross-functional alignment in a complex industrial manufacturing environment. Strategic Scope & Impact • Lead plant-wide strategic initiatives including footprint optimization, capacity expansion, and asset utilization • Drive Industry 4.0 and digital transformation roadmap • Oversee new product industrialization and manufacturing readiness • Own Capex strategy, facility creation, and infrastructure upgrades (> $5M) • Enable operational excellence across ETO, MTO, and MTS manufacturing models • Influence global and regional manufacturing strategy through technology and process innovation Key Accountabilities • Plant Transformation & Strategic Initiatives • Lead execution of high-impact transformation programs across manufacturing operations • Drive global/regional footprint projects and efficiency improvements • Champion operational excellence and long-term plant competitiveness • Act as central AME leader coordinating site-wide engineering initiatives • Industry 4.0 & Digital Manufacturing • Lead implementation of Industry 4.0 solutions (IoT, MES, automation, connected shopfloor) • Drive digitalization of processes including real-time monitoring and advanced analytics • Implement predictive maintenance and digital performance tracking systems • Develop smart factory capabilities and data-driven decision culture • New Product Development (NPD) & Industrialization • Act as Plant Operations Lead for NPD, ensuring full production readiness • Lead transition from design to scalable manufacturing • Ensure deployment of: • DFM/DFA • DFT • Design standardization • 3P & Barashi • Deliver on-time, cost-effective, high-quality product launches • Technology Deployment & Manufacturing Excellence • Identify and deploy advanced manufacturing technologies and automation solutions • Lead introduction of new processes, tools, fixtures, and equipment • Benchmark global best practices and build technology roadmap • Process Improvement & Shopfloor Excellence • Drive continuous process improvements across manufacturing operations • Develop and embed standard work practices • Provide hands-on support to resolve daily operator assembly and test issues • Implement innovative, cost-effective Kaizen solutions • Improve ergonomics, cycle time, and operator productivity • Quality, Poka-Yoke & Customer Focus • Implement Poka-Yoke (error-proofing) systems to eliminate defects • Lead root cause analysis (RCA) using structured methodologies (8D, DMAIC) • Drive customer complaint resolution with sustainable corrective actions • Improve first-pass yield, field performance, and customer satisfaction • Capex, Facility Development & Infrastructure • Own and manage Capex planning and execution (> $5M) • Lead: • New facility creation and expansions • Facility modifications and upgrade projects • Production line setup and layout optimization • Ensure structured governance through stage-gate and control processes • Test Cell Development & Validation • Lead test cell setup, validation, and upgrades • Ensure compliance with product performance, validation, and regulatory requirements • Integrate test infrastructure with digital data systems • Compliance, Validation & EHS • Ensure process validation and regulatory compliance • Drive Zero Harm safety culture and EHS excellence • Support sustainability initiatives aligned with long-term goals • Operational Excellence & Lean Transformation • Lead Lean initiatives using: • Value Stream Mapping • Kaizen • Standard Work • Visual Management • Structured problem solving • Drive improvements in productivity, cost, quality, and delivery • Product & Manufacturing Model Expertise • Operate effectively across: • Engineered-to-Order (ETO) • Make-to-Order (MTO) • Make-to-Stock (MTS) • Align manufacturing and supply chain strategies based on product complexity and demand variability • Enable seamless integration across mixed production environments • Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration • Lead and develop 20+ team members (direct: 5+) • Drive collaboration across: • Supply Chain • Production • Quality • NPD Teams • EHS • Ensure alignment toward plant and business objectives • Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and teamwork • Lead change management and transformation initiatives Qualifications • Bachelor’s/Master’s in Mechanical / Electrical / Industrial Engineering or related field • 15+ years of experience in AME / Manufacturing Engineering / Industrial Operations • 5+ years in plant operations or manufacturing leadership role Experience Requirements • Industry 4.0 & Digital Transformation • Lean Manufacturing & Operational Excellence • Capex & Facility Project Execution • Quality Systems & Customer Complaint Resolution • Experience in ETO / MTO / MTS manufacturing environments • APICS or equivalent certification preferred Key Competencies • Strategic thinking with execution excellence • Strong leadership and people development • Stakeholder & change management expertise • Financial and business acumen • Digital manufacturing & analytics capability • Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills • Proven ability to drive transformation at scale Role Scope • Reports to: Plant Manager -