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 -