Director, Automation & Technology

Description

Springs Window Fashions is hiring for a Senior Manufacturing Engineer based in our Middleton, WI Corporate Headquarters

We Are The Best Experience Company

Springs Window Fashions has been part of the window treatments industry since 1939. Headquartered in Middleton WI, we have over 7,000 associates in multiple locations worldwide. Our custom window treatments are available in nearly every major retailer, in thousands of designer showrooms and showcased in large commercial buildings. Our company is privately owned with products marketed across a broad portfolio of brands including Bali, Graber, SunSetter and Mecho.

Our tagline is “the Best Experience Company.” And it’s more than just a set of words—it represents the essence of who we are. As North America’s premier window covering company, we’re committed to creating the Best Experience for our associates and team members, our consumers and end users, and our channel and business partners.

Job Summary

Responsibility to plan, coordinate and implement process equipment solutions related to new product introduction, manufacturing footprint, automation and sustaining engineering activities in US and MX locations in accordance with key business goals and strategies.

Job Responsibilities

Automation & Plant Support

• Identifies operational needs (process improvements, automation of processes or equipment for new products) and develops an equipment design and commissioning plan.
• Identifies & develops equipment vendors and resources to execute automation roadmap to reduce high manual work content in key product lines as specified for all manufacturing locations to deliver operating benefits and efficiencies.
• Plans, specifies, procures, and delivers key capital equipment including commissioning, training, maintenance programs, spare parts, etc. in accordance with business goals and strategies.
• Integrates quality at the source thinking, activities, and solutions in daily, individual, teams, vendors and project work that includes error proofing, poka yoke, and other error proofing methodologies.
• Designs and executes local & network TPM and OEE data collection tools to improve equipment YOY performance, capability, and reliability including metrics to measure performance compliance to goals.
• Engages with operations functional partners to plan and execute projects related to safety, quality, and productivity improvements.
• Engages and participates in Kaizen & problem-solving activities, taking ownership for equipment design related issues.
• Implements cost reduction measures in accordance with strategic financial objectives.
• Develops local & network process equipment best practices and standards to ensure continuity in the areas of safety, quality, capability, reliability, and costs.
  
  

Manufacturing Footprint

• Specifies & develops manufacturing capability and processing equipment to support insourcing of supplier purchased components in accordance with business strategies and goals
• Leads and coordinates activities to refurbish, pack, relocate and commission processing equipment in new or existing manufacturing locations for both US and MX facilities
• Engages supply chain partners to build detailed projects plans to meet all key business goals
• Develops and drives project execution through the use project planning tools including timelines, activities & key milestones, owners, etc. to communicate clear status and risks to senior management
• Prepares and issues required reports, summaries, and presentations related to engineering activities.
  
  

Scope & Responsibility

• Aligns and complies with capital budgeting process affecting all engineering activities with equipment selection.
• Defines project plans, resources, and determine priorities to deliver process equipment as specified.
• Build individual development plans for direct reports to include rotational assignments to improve & maintain an effective engineering organization.
• Interacts and collaborates with associates in product, quality, manufacturing, external suppliers, and other key stakeholders with regards to quality and process improvement.
• Daily contact with associates at all levels of the organization
• Confers with Sr Manufacturing Engineering manager on major issues.
  
  

Requirements

Education and Experience

• BS degree in mechanical engineering or related field
• 10 years engineering experience plus experience in manufacturing environment
• 5 years of experience specifying and implementing process equipment and automation
• 2 years of experience leading and developing technical personnel
• 2 years of practical manufacturing and engineering experience in designing and improving manufacturing processes, process equipment and automation and error proofing (TPM, OEE, etc.)
• Lean or Six Sigma certified preferred
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong Engineering skills (Equipment Design and Development, Automation, Lean Manufacturing Process Design and Development, Lean)
• Strong project management skills with excellent attention to details
• Strong Leadership and interpersonal skills
• Excellent verbal and written skills
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills
• Ability to oversee and manage multiple projects and priorities under limited timelines
• Personal computer and various office and engineering software experience necessary (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, etc.)
• Skilled with equipment control systems, PLC, PAC, HMI, ProWorx & related software
• Strong implementing equipment safety controls, guarding, interlocks, LOTO, etc.
• Comfortable speaking and presenting to senior leadership
• Integrates process methodology into daily work
• Looks for innovative ways to streamline work processes across the division and involves stakeholders
• Ability to lead and provide insight in DFM, 3P design activities to improve product design and process capabilities including error proofing, poka yoke, SKU rationalization, etc.
• Identifies processing gaps using tools such as PFMEA, job hazard analysis, ergonomic assessment
• Establishes forums to share best practices
• Measures own work to plan and reports out at a micro and macro level