What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manufacturing Engineering & Maintenance Director position at API Heat Transfer?
General ThermoDynamics, An API Heat Transfer Company
Location: Wisconsin Operations (Franklin, Iron Ridge & Germantown, WI)
Reports To: Vice President, Wisconsin Operations
General ThermoDynamics, an API Heat Transfer Company, is seeking a strategic and results-driven Director of Manufacturing Engineering & Maintenance to lead manufacturing engineering, maintenance, facilities, reliability, automation, continuous improvement, and capital project initiatives across our Wisconsin operations.
This executive-level leadership role provides oversight for three manufacturing facilities and serves as a key member of the Wisconsin Operations Leadership Team. The successful candidate will drive operational excellence, equipment reliability, productivity improvements, capital investment strategy, and the development of high-performing technical teams.
Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership- Develop and execute a multi-site manufacturing engineering and maintenance strategy aligned with business goals.
- Partner with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Safety, Human Resources, Finance, and Executive Leadership to achieve operational objectives.
- Evaluate and recommend manufacturing technologies, automation opportunities, and capital investments.
- Lead organizational development, succession planning, and talent management initiatives for engineering and maintenance teams.
- Direct manufacturing engineering activities across Franklin, Iron Ridge, and Germantown facilities.
- Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Drive productivity improvements through process optimization, automation, and standardization.
- Support new product introduction (NPI), scalability initiatives, and manufacturing best practices.
- Ensure manufacturing processes meet quality, safety, and customer requirements.
- Lead preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs.
- Establish equipment reliability strategies that maximize uptime and improve OEE.
- Develop asset management and lifecycle planning strategies.
- Optimize maintenance planning, scheduling, CMMS utilization, and spare parts management.
- Implement metrics focused on uptime, MTBF, MTTR, and maintenance cost performance.
- Develop and manage annual capital expenditure budgets.
- Lead facility upgrades, expansions, automation projects, and equipment installations.
- Ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, and within budget.
- Manage relationships with engineering firms, equipment suppliers, contractors, and service providers.
- Champion a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
- Lead cross-functional initiatives focused on productivity, safety, quality, waste reduction, and cost savings.
- Utilize data-driven decision-making to identify opportunities and monitor results.
- Standardize best practices across Wisconsin operations.
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field required.
- Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related discipline preferred.
- 10 years of progressive manufacturing engineering and maintenance leadership experience.
- 5 years leading multiple facilities, departments, or business units.
- Proven success in manufacturing process improvement, equipment reliability, and capital project management.
- Experience in heavy manufacturing, industrial equipment, metal fabrication, heat exchanger manufacturing, or related industries strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience managing significant capital budgets and large-scale improvement initiatives.
Experience in:
- Lean Manufacturing
- Six Sigma
- Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM)
- Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
- Automation Technologies
- Capital Project Management
- Facilities Management
- CMMS Systems
- ERP Systems
- Root Cause Analysis
- Statistical Process Control (SPC)
- Competitive executive compensation package
- Annual incentive bonus opportunity
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
- 401(k) with company match
- Company-paid life and disability insurance
- Paid time off and holidays
- Professional development and career growth opportunities
- Opportunity to make a significant impact on the growth and operational performance of a leading heat transfer manufacturer
As the senior technical and reliability leader for Wisconsin Operations, you will play a critical role in shaping the future of our manufacturing footprint. This position offers the opportunity to influence capital strategy, operational excellence, equipment reliability, workforce development, and long-term business growth across multiple facilities.
General ThermoDynamics, an API Heat Transfer Company, is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values a diverse and inclusive workplace.
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Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact API Heat Transfer at (716) 684-6700 for assistance.
The company rejects all forms of unlawful discrimination, not only because it is against the law, but because it is inconsistent with our corporate values. This includes unlawful discrimination because of a person's race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, marital status, military status, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, veteran status, sexual preference, domestic violence victim status, or any other protected category as defined by applicable state or federal law. Employment decisions are made with regard to lawful considerations.