Chief Manufacturing Strategist

The Head of Manufacturing Engineering is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic planning, execution, and continuous enhancement of all manufacturing operations and industrial engineering initiatives. This position drives operational excellence, process optimization, product quality, and innovation by leading a team of engineers and designers to deliver business objectives.

This role works closely with cross-functional teams to ensure on-time execution, first-time-right results, and continuous improvement across all development projects.

• Strategic Leadership & Planning:
  • Define and execute comprehensive manufacturing and industrial engineering strategies aligned with corporate objectives and long-term growth plans.
  • Develop the manufacturing roadmap, including facility planning, capacity expansion, and advanced technology adoption.
  • Identify, assess, and integrate emerging manufacturing technologies to enhance competitiveness.
  • Oversee manufacturing budgets, ensuring optimal resource allocation, cost efficiency, and ROI.
• Operational Excellence & Process Optimization:
  • Champion Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other best-practice methodologies to drive continuous improvement.
  • Analyze production data to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and cost-reduction opportunities.
  • Design, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes, workflows, and layouts to maximize productivity, efficiency, and quality.
  • Ensure compliance with industry standards, safety regulations, and environmental requirements.
  • Oversee tool design and engineering to support production requirements.
• Team Leadership & Development:
  • Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of manufacturing and design engineers.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
  • Partner with HR to recruit, train, and develop engineering and production talent.
• Quality Assurance & Control:
  • Establish and maintain robust quality systems to meet stringent product specifications and customer expectations.
  • Collaborate with Quality Control teams to address manufacturing challenges and implement corrective/preventive actions.
  • Define and track KPIs for production efficiency, quality, and cost performance.
• Project Management:
  • Lead complex manufacturing engineering projects from RFQ to SOP, ensuring timelines, budgets, and quality standards are met.
  • Coordinate cross-functional project teams, clearly defining objectives, plans, and resource allocation.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management:
  • Work closely with design, operations, supply chain, R&D, and quality teams to ensure seamless product development and manufacturing integration.
  • Communicate complex technical concepts in clear, concise, and actionable terms for senior management and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Engage with suppliers and vendors to evaluate and select optimal materials, equipment, and manufacturing solutions.
• Problem Solving & Troubleshooting:
  • Provide expert technical guidance to resolve complex manufacturing issues.
  • Identify and address root causes of defects or inefficiencies with sustainable solutions.
  • Drive initiatives to enhance output, reliability, and manufacturing consistency.

Candidate Profile / Experience

• A minimum of 20 years of progressive experience in manufacturing engineering, production operations, and industrial engineering, preferably in the forging and machining industry.
• A proven track record in leading large-scale manufacturing operations, including multi-plant or multi-line setups.
• Strong exposure to process design, tooling development, and precision machining operations.
• Hands-on experience in capacity planning, process optimization, quality control systems, and new product industrialization.
• A successful implementation of Lean, Six Sigma, and TPM initiatives delivering measurable improvements in productivity, quality, and cost efficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional engineering teams in complex, high-precision manufacturing environments.
• Experience managing RFQ-to-SOP cycles for new product introductions in automotive or industrial sectors.