Manager, Production Engineering

Job Description The Manager, Production Engineering directs and supports the implementation of process requirements for production changes across all shops, including new vehicle projects and model updates. This role leads cross-functional initiatives across production-related departments to ensure alignment and smooth execution.

To promote consistency and efficiency, the manager drives the use of work measurement tools such as Methods-Time Measurement (MTM), while also focusing on productivity improvements and line optimization. Additional responsibilities include setting and tracking departmental KPIs, developing and mentoring engineers, and formulating mid- to long-term capability strategies.

By fostering strong collaboration with headquarters, internal stakeholders, and external partners, the Manager, Production Engineering plays a critical role in maximizing team performance and delivering sustainable organizational results.

Major Responsibilities

• (50%) Production Engineering Strategy
  • Drive operational performance and delivery of KPIs, ensuring consistent and sustainable results.
  • Oversee cross-functional initiatives (e.g. new vehicle launches, equipment programs), driving projects from planning through successful execution.
  • Set clear operational goals and communicate expectations to stakeholders and team members, ensuring alignment across functions.
  • Direct project launches and ongoing management, coordinating closely with relevant internal and external partners
  • Establish improvement targets and KPIs, evaluate performance through data-driven analysis, and drive continuous improvement.
  • Provide decisive problem-solving leadership, conducting root cause analysis and guiding teams in implementing permanent solutions.
  • Allocate and manage resources (personal, equipment, budget) effectively to meet operational and project demands.
  • Report progress and strategic direction to senior leadership, regularly reviewing result, identifying gaps, and steering corrective actions to ensure organizational objectives are met.

• (20%) Operations & Growth Planning
  • Establish a flexible and competitive organizational structure that supports mid-to-long term growth, adaptability, and process transformation.
  • Develop strategic investment and resource plans to meet future business and technology needs.
  • Conduct feasibility studies (FS) for local activities and new projects, providing data-driven insights to support decision-making.
  • Plan and oversee the launch of new systems or operations, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
  • Lead structural and process improvements across departments, driving optimization and sustainable performance.

• (20%) Team Leadership
  • Responsible for employment decisions, salary and promotional recommendations, training and appraising performance, promptly and appropriately address deficient performance and/or inappropriate behaviors by working with upper management and HR.
  • Coach and manage individual performance of staff; promote a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, quality and accountability.
  • Guide and coach team members to build confidence, problem-solving skills and career growth.
  • Create and implement training and development opportunities for production engineering team to foster strong team approach.

• (10%) Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Maximize results through cooperative, trust-based relationships with internal and external stakeholders strengthening ties with business units and partners to enable cross-functional execution.
  • Establish forums for information sharing and consensus building to enhance transparency and alignment within the team.
  • Coordinate and report effectively with headquarters or Japan-side stakeholders ensuring alignment on priorities and initiatives.
  • Collaborate with group companies and vendors to drive smooth, integrated operational flow.
  • Build trusted, cross-cultural relationships that strengthen connections between local sites and global headquarters.
  • Deepen engagement with business units to enhance collaboration and accelerate cross-organizational results.
  • Perform other duties as assigned
  • Comply with all policies and standards

• The preceding functions have been provided as examples of the types of work performed by employees assigned to this job classification. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job

Work Experience

• 5+ years experience in production engineering or maintenance department in automotive/OEM or related industry. required

Education

• Bachelor of Science (BS) Industrial Engineering
• Bachelor of Science (BS) Mechanical Engineering
• An equivalent mix of education, training, and/or work experience may be considered in place of a degree Required

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) (Awareness-Developing)
• Ability to plan, budget, and report on projects effectively,…