Machining and Casting Engineering Director

Machining and Casting Engineering Director

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The Machining and Casting Engineering Director is responsible for Powertrain manufacturing strategy, feasibility and development for internal machining processes plus casting development for internal and external supplier processes. The selected leader will also collaborate with the design community for machining supplier process development especially when the supplier struggles with providing quality outcomes. The Machining and Casting Engineering Director will lead a diverse group of roughly 30 managers and 200 engineers in several countries and help the team problem solve issues related to process parameters, capacity or timing issues, and end item quality.

While most of the focus on the job is related to aluminum machining and casting, some additional processes will be maintained including steel, powdered metal and cast-iron products. The Machining and Casting Engineering Director will be a member of the Powertrain Manufacturing Engineering operating committee which represents over 800 engineers worldwide and must be capable of personnel development, compensation administration, related work group representation and the rare disciplinary issue.

• Strategy Development and Formulation: A primary responsibility is to support the development of the department’s long-term strategy. This involves assessing the current organizational performance, analyzing market trends, and evaluating competitor activities to identify both opportunities for growth and potential threats. The preferred candidate would be tasked with formulating actionable strategic plans and road maps that align with the company's vision and objectives.
• Research and Analysis:
  The preferred candidate will conduct in-depth research and analysis of operational effectiveness, internal processes, and stakeholder needs. He/She will gather and scrutinize market data, customer behavior, and competitive landscapes to provide insights that inform strategic decision-making. This analytical rigor helps in understanding the business environment and identifying areas for improvement.
• Implementation and Execution:
  Beyond planning, the preferred candidate is crucial in translating strategies into action. He/She would be responsible for planning, implementing, and managing proposed recommendations and projects. This includes aligning departmental goals, processes, and resource allocation with the overarching organizational strategy, often by leading and facilitating cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Adjustment:
  Monitoring the progress of strategic projects and initiatives is a continuous responsibility. The preferred candidate would assess the effectiveness of implemented strategies by evaluating outcomes and key performance indicators (KPIs). Based on performance data, he/she would make necessary adjustments to plans to optimize results and ensure alignment with business objectives. He/She would also identify and manage potential risks to strategic initiatives.
• Communication and Stakeholder Management:
  Effective communication is vital for the Machining and Casting Engineering Director. He/She would present findings, projections, and recommended actions to senior leadership, supporting their decision-making processes. He/She would also communicate strategic insights and plans to various stakeholders across all levels of the organization, fostering collaboration and ensuring alignment. Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders is key to gaining buy-in and driving strategic success.
• Continuous Improvement and Innovation:
  The preferred candidate is constantly looking for ways to improve existing business strategies and identify new business opportunities. He/She would contribute to fostering a culture of innovation, developing new products, services, or business models that provide a competitive advantage and drive sustainable growth.

• Must have experience with a wide range of machining processes (aluminum, cast iron and steel automotive components for engines, transmissions and axles or equivalent) and experience with fixturing and durable and perishable tooling.
• Must have a proven record of balancing compressed timing, investment efficiency, high quality, leading a wide range of personalities and other competing priorities.
• Should be capable of mentoring low and high seniority employees with value and support.
• Must have experience with heat treatment (quenching, normalizing, carburization, induction hardening, etc.) and understand potential pitfalls and countermeasures for quality and furnace equipment health.
• Should have firsthand experience with NMLCC (New Model Launch of Complex Castings) or equivalent process.
• Experience with core pin development for downstream machining.
• Working level experience…