Title:  Manager, Manufacturing Engineering, NPI

Manager, Manufacturing Engineering, NPI 

Reference #34632

Waterdown, Ontario

Responsibilities

This role is a key leadership position, managing Operations New Product Introduction (NPI) responsibilities through the Operations NPI Project Lead Team. It demands strong leadership, accountability, and coordination skills to implement NPI processes aligned with industry best practices. The role emphasizes on-time project delivery, quality outcomes, and alignment across multiple functions including engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead daily operations of the Operations NPI Project Team: set performance standards, develop staffing plans, coach and mentor team members, and provide guidance on issue resolution and skill development.
• Delegate work effectively while aligning tasks with employee capabilities and career development goals.
• Drive excellence in cost, quality, delivery (OTD), warranty cost, recovery cost, and net working capital (NWC) for all NPI deliverables.
• Promote Operational Excellence (OpEx) by leveraging tools to support Frontloading initiatives.
• Continuously improve NPI development processes through Frontloading methods and standard procedures to enable cross-functional adoption (engineering, quality, supply chain, manufacturing).
• Build NPI program management capabilities by effectively guiding direct and indirect reports while collaborating with stakeholders to meet CSI-5046 and WESCAM NPI standards.
• Maintain clear communication between Engineering, Operations, and Program Management regarding NPI project status (via SIOP, NPDI alignment, PMR, and Operations NPI Reviews).
• Prepare and lead detailed project schedules and risk assessments for NPI programs.
• Ensure NPI programs meet design and manufacturing requirements, are on schedule, and meet quality standards.
• Actively apply Engineering input and manufacturing lessons learned to NPI design reviews.
• Continuously improve procedures and standards for NPI within Operations.
• Coordinate production readiness and risk mitigation through cross-functional collaboration.
• Work with the Supply Chain and Supplier Quality to mitigate material shortages and quality risks (e.g., poor incoming material, ECOs, etc.).
• Support Supplier Quality for resolution of supplier non-conformance as related to NPI.
• Understand and communicate procurement and cost constraints in NPI.
• Support Design for Manufacturing (DFMA) and Design to Cost (DTC) initiatives.
• Capture lessons learned and drive continuous improvement through rigorous root cause analysis and collaboration with cross-functional teams to prevent recurrence of issues.

Skills Required

• Management and leadership knowledge in job area and comprehensive knowledge within professional discipline.
• Combined technical and interpersonal communication skills, project management skills and a proven ability to meet conflicting deadlines driven by varying stakeholders.
• Strong team player with excellent collaboration skills fostering a positive and inclusive work environment
• Ability to inspire a team in a growing and changing environment
• Must have Engineering and Operations experience in a high-tech assembly environment
• Excellent technical communication skills both verbal and written
• Ability to develop strong working relationships with senior leadership, key managers and support staff
• Must be well organized, goal oriented and detail oriented
• Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience in a large company environment
• AS9100 knowledge and experience an asset, but not required

Experience & Education Requirements

• Engineering degree and or diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
• Must have a well-rounded leadership background with Engineering experience in a high-tech environment
• Minimum of 5-10 years of experience in an Engineering capacity
• Minimum of 5 years of project management experience managing complex projects
• Professional Engineering License, P.Eng as asset
• Project Management Profession certification, PMP an asset
• Green Belt Certification or equivalent industry lean experience

*This posting is for a current vacancy.  In the province of Ontario, Canada, the pay range for this position will be $120000 to $150,000  

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