The ACE Consulting Group is partnering with an established plastic injection mold organization in Des Plaines, IL to hire an experienced Manufacturing Engineering Manager.
This is a highly visible leadership opportunity for an engineering professional who combines hands-on manufacturing expertise with strong leadership, continuous improvement, and project management skills.
The ideal candidate has experience within a high-volume automated manufacturing environment, including injection molding, tooling, and assembly automation, and knows how to turn engineering improvements into measurable gains in quality, efficiency, cost, and overall plant performance.
What You'll Do as the Manufacturing Engineer:
- Lead manufacturing engineering initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, cost reduction, and continuous improvement
- Develop, evaluate, and improve manufacturing methods and processes
- Identify and implement solutions to complex manufacturing and production issues
- Improve tooling, equipment, layouts, workflow, material utilization, and production methods
- Design, evaluate, and improve manufacturing equipment
- Utilize CAD and other technical tools to support equipment and manufacturing improvements
- Partner with production, quality, design, and other departments to improve manufacturing performance
- Support new product development and ensure product designs align with tooling and assembly requirements
- Develop manufacturing engineering documentation, methods, and procedures
- Analyze workforce utilization, equipment layouts, space requirements, and workflow
- Lead projects from planning through implementation while managing timelines and budgets
- Work with vendors on equipment, materials, tooling, and technical specifications
- Estimate production time, staffing requirements, project costs, and resource needs
- Drive corrective actions and lasting solutions to manufacturing problems
- Apply Lean Manufacturing principles to improve operational performance
- Support ISO/AS programs and requirements
- Benchmark performance and align local initiatives with broader organizational priorities
- Oversee the Maintenance and Tooling departments - 5 employees
- Serve as a contributing member of the plant leadership team
- Develop talent and help identify future leaders within the organization
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), Industrial Engineering (BSIE), or related discipline preferred
- 5+ years of related experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment
- Hands-on manufacturing experience with injection molding and related tooling
- Strong Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement background
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot manufacturing and process issues
- Experience developing and implementing operational improvement plans
- Strong project management and prioritization skills
- Experience managing project costs and budgets
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, complexity, and organizational change
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills
- Ability to work effectively across engineering, production, quality, maintenance, and leadership teams
- Proven ability to lead through both direct management and influence
- Experience developing employees and future leaders
What Will Make You Stand Out
- Strong injection molding process and tooling expertise
- Experience leading manufacturing engineering within a high-volume environment
- Automation implementation or optimization experience
- Maintenance and/or Tooling department leadership
- CAD experience
- ISO/AS experience
- Proven Lean Manufacturing accomplishments
- Demonstrated cost-reduction and productivity improvements
- Experience introducing new equipment, tooling, or manufacturing processes
- Strong combination of hands-on technical expertise and people leadership
Compensation
$125,000-$140,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
This role offers the opportunity to have a direct impact on the performance of a manufacturing operation not simply manage engineering projects.
You'll have visibility across manufacturing engineering, injection molding, automation, tooling, maintenance, quality, continuous improvement, and plant leadership, with the ability to influence both day-to-day performance and longer-term manufacturing strategy.
If you're a manufacturing engineering leader who enjoys being close to the operation, solving problems, developing people, and driving measurable improvements, we'd love to speak with you.
Excellent Benefits
- Major medical, dental and vision insurance
- 401k with employer match
- Generous PTO plan
- Annual donation matching and more!
Apply Today
Apply today with The ACE Consulting Group to learn more about this opportunity.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The ACE Consulting Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
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Pay: $125,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
