Director, Advanced Manufacturing – Metal Stamping

At GE Appliances, a Haier company, we come together to make “good things, for life.” As the fastest-growing appliance company in the U.S., we’re powered by creators, thinkers and makers who believe that anything is possible and that there’s always a better way. We believe in the power of our people and in giving them the freedom to explore, discover and build good things, together.

The GE Appliances philosophy, backed by three simple commitments defines the way we work, invent, create, do business, and serve our communities: we come together , we always look for a better way , and we create possibilities .

Interested in joining us on our journey?

The Director Advanced Manufacturing Engineering - Metal Stamping is responsible for the strategy and execution of capital equipment, tooling, automation, and facilities projects with focus and expertise specific to metal stamping and fabrication operations. The primary focus will be the top-load dryer program, but could include other programs and projects. The role will develop and execute the capital equipment and tooling budget and manage, direct, and support the stamping Advanced Manufacturing Engineer team. They will ensure projects are run safely, on budget, on schedule, while maximizing return on investment. They are the primary reviewer and approver for stamping tooling and equipment projects in the facilities, responsible for ensuring all activities and processes conform with regulatory, OSHA, GEA, and industry standards. Goals include reducing manufacturing complexity, improving efficiency, and implementing state of the art stamping/metal forming systems to achieve best in class safety, quality, and operational efficiency.

Position

Director, Advanced Manufacturing – Metal Stamping

Location

USA, Louisville, KY

How You'll Create Possibilities

Organizational Leadership:

Review, Track, and Manage all advanced manufacturing risk within the facility . Ensure resources are adequately deployed to resolve gaps based on business priorities and elevate any organizational gaps a s required.

Responsible for the AME team’s compliance to GEA Controllership rules with respect to asset classification, asset identification and capital effort allocation for all tooling and equipment projects lead by the team. Provide appropriate mentoring to AME pro ject leaders as needed.

Recruit, manage and mentor AME team members within the metal forming operations . Duties include relevant human resource and development aspects, annual reviews, training, and career development of employees.

Ensure all resources are appropriately allocated to support program objectives.

Standards and Compliance:

Primary manufacturing reviewer for all product line/project checkpoints . As the primary reviewer, they are responsible to provide in-depth analysis of all stamping tooling and metal fabrication equipment and provide an overall assessment of the project risks with respect to conforming to GE standards, processes, and initiatives . They are expected to provide feedback and recommendations for improvements when gaps are identified.

Ensure all equipment and tooling executed in GEA factories comply with Industry and Governmental Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) standards.

Work with functional leaders to ensure equipment & processes support business initiatives including Lean Manufacturing, Ergonomic Design and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)

Strategic Execution & Cross-functional Leadership:

Prioritize project activity and resources to ensure on-time implementation and benefit; leverage financial metrics to manage risk to schedule, budget or program costs.

Work with Product Management and Product Development teams to align manufacturing resources to execute project. Provide manufacturing input to project scope s for stamping equipmen t and tooling, factory layout, manufacturing processes, material flow, and resources required to execute the projects.

Identify, elevate and/or mitigate project risk s that could impact pro ject delivery of safety, product performance, quality, cost, factory readiness, regulatory or commercial requirements.

Manage project budget s , ensuring team delivers on time, at or better than budget.

Compile and analyze data , prepare and present reports and pro ject information for leadership review s.

Champion, promote and teach the use of l ean tools and principles in all areas of the project. Utilize cross-functional participation to ensure that the equipment , tooling, and processes are compatible across the entire value stream.

Work with design team to ensure Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DFMA) is executed on all stamped parts , and related processes .

What You'll Bring to Our Team

Position Requirement

E xperience managing capital equipment procurement projects: Including specification development, supplier selection, technical reviews, installation, and qualification of equipment and tooling

E xperience in a large-scale appliance manufacturing environment .

Fluent in Lean manufacturing principles

Ability to work in large cross-functional teams and at multiple levels in the organization (both salaried and shop floor operators / skilled trades team members) .

Ability to communicate effectively and be an agent for change .

Good organizational, project management and presentation skills to interact with all levels within the organization and with suppliers / vendors .

Experience and understanding of cross-functional appliance NPI process .

E xperience leading an advance manufacturing engineering team.

Demonstrated ability to mentor, develop, grow, and maintain a skilled engineering team .

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering discipline or significant related applicable metal forming experience .

Experience with stamping tooling, presses, and ancillary stamping equipment , automation and related manufacturing processes .

10 + years of experience with procurement, testing, installation , and launch of stamping tooling and equipment .

M anufacturing project leadership experience: demonstrated ability to build and manage a stamping tooling and equipment engineering team .

Demonstrated project management capabilities .

Proven stamping expertise – ability to understand and mitigat e pro ject risk to meet technical & commercial requirement s .

New Product Introduction (NPI) experience capabilities.

Metal stamping/forming simulation capabilities.

Strategic planning capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

Working knowledge of Lean tools in a manufacturing operation .

Experience with high volume stamping manufacturing operations.

Familiarity with capitalization requirements, understanding business financials for CapEx projects.

Six Sigma Certification .

Proficient in MS Office, MS Scheduler (or equivalent) and AutoCAD .

Working Conditions:

Working conditions are normal for a high-volume manufacturing environment.

Work may involve lifting of materials and product up to 30 pounds and working in and around heavy equipment.

Working in this environment requires the use of safety equipment to include but not limited to; eye safety glasses, hearing protectors, work boots, and hardhats.

These roles will require frequent walking in a manufacturing plant environment.

20-30% travel may be for domestic and/or international travel to supplier sites/ plants, etc.

Hours & Weekends: Working off-shift and weekends will be required.

Our Culture

Our work is centered on our People and Culture as reflected in our Zero Distance philosophy and we recognize the importance of reaffirming our commitment to inclusion and diversity (I&D). This underscores our commitment to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, connected, and empowered to contribute, while positioning our organization to adapt seamlessly to the evolving needs of our workforce and