Continuous Improvement Manufacturing Engineer

Industry: Tinley Park Engineering

Company: UGN

Founded in 1986 as a partnership between Nittoku and Autoneum, UGN is the preferred producer of high quality acoustic, interior trim, and thermal management products, and a recognized leader in customer satisfaction for the Japanese transplant automotive industry in North America. UGN, with more than $400 million in revenue, has six locations in the United States-Novi, Michigan; Jackson, Tennessee; Monroe, Ohio; Somerset, Kentucky; Downers Grove, Illinois; and Valparaiso, Indiana; as well as a location in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico-specializing in manufacturing, research, development, testing, and service support.

For 6 years in a row UGN has achieved ranking as a “Best Company to Work for in Illinois”. Based on three core values of Respect, Trust and Communication, UGN prides itself on a unique culture that is the UGN Way.

Learn more about UGN at: https://ugn.com/

https://vimeo.com/255503961

https://www.linkedin.com/company/66127

The Continuous Improvement Manufacturing Engineer is a part of UGN’s Downers Grove (corporate) Engineering team and will be based at one of our plant locations in either Monroe, OH; Jackson, TN; Somerset, KY; or Valparaiso, IN. This position will lead Continuous Improvement focus at the plant level, while also supporting new product launch activities. The CI Manufacturing Engineer will serve as the primary resource for Continuous Improvement team training and assist the plants in sustaining gains achieved in CI efforts. This position will support kaizen events at the plants and will drive best practice standardization across all plants. This position will also support new product launch activities at the plants with the goal of all KPI’s being at cost sheet level at start of production (SOP).

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Serve as the Continuous Improvement subject matter expert for UGN.
• Schedule and participate in kaizen events including activities in cycle time analysis, brainstorming, problem-solving, standard work, set up reduction, 5S, cell layout, visual management, and error-proofing activities in the plants.
• Coach, train, mentor plant CI team members around TPS/CI principles.
• Support best practice implementation/standardization at all plants through consistent communication and visits to other UGN plants.
• Assist production operations to drive improvement in manufacturing efficiencies for all plants using process improvement tactics, lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Kaizen.
• Update/maintain all CI procedures and standards within the Docushare database.
• Assist with product launch activities at the plants to ensure processes are developed to meet all cost sheet KPI’s (labor content, cycle time/PPH, and scrap levels).
• Maintain system to supply product launch trial production data for launch report card system maintenance.
• Provide clear work instructions, training, and design systems to promote sustainability of improvements.
• Support Agile tasks related to product launch inputs such as environmental/safety analysis, process layout, trial reports, and PFMEA’s.
• Supply feedback to corporate Project and Tooling Engineering Managers to ensure equipment and tooling standards are updated based on best practices that have been implemented at the plants.
• Promote and drive efficiency and safety at the plants.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering or equivalent from an accredited college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent TPS/CI skills with the ability to coach, mentor, and train other Team Members.
• 5 – 10 years related experience and/or training in continuous improvement in a manufacturing setting.
• High level of technical aptitude – strong understanding of systems, equipment, and processes.
• Hands-on experience and ability to troubleshoot complex manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
• Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts and principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook), Internet, AutoCAD & Design software.
• Team Member must have knowledge and understanding of the following:
  • TPS/CI principles
  • Lean Manufacturing
• Proficient in AutoCAD

Travel Requirements:

This position will be required to travel up to 50% of the time.

We strive to ensure each of our team members feels valued, respected and included and is presented with equal opportunities to be successful here at UGN. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace. UGN participates in E-Verify. For more information go to www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

UGNPIJ