Creative Development Manager Jobs in Muskegon, MI

This Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Leader position will be located in our Plant 10, Whitehall Casting Operation and will support manufacturing by leading and providing focused projects that will improve throughput, reduce inventory and reduce operating expenses. Will lead and engage employees to drive reduction labor costs through cellular manufacturing and new/improved methods and equipment. Must be able to apply standard practices and techniques, adjust and correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results and take corrective action. Will document work and prepare technical notes/reports, establish customer contacts (internal and external) as required.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead initiatives to achieve product yield improvements, variation reduction, and achieve cost reduction goals related to the manufacture of ceramic cores/parts
• Direct and manage the activities regarding product tool/part designs and standards
• Manage and direct the New Product Introduction (NPI) initiative ensuring product development in accordance with overall project timelines, budget, and quoted standards
• Develop the overall plant scrap reduction plan and manage the initiatives and actions to meet the scrap targets
• Direct and participate in the conception, evaluation and implementation of cost improvement, product improvement and production problem solving activities
• Establish professional working relationship with Engineering Managers and Engineering Team at each casting facility and promote engineering team communication regarding product status and issues
• Work directly with engine manufacturer’s engineering team in conjunction with the casting facility’s engineering team to optimize core design and producibility as required
• Responsible for creating an environment of engagement and fostering development of Engineering Staff
• Manage training development strategies for the Engineering Staff

Job Roles

• Customer liaison--understands and communicates customer specifications; possesses both technical expertise and communication ability to ensure alignment and understanding with customer; serves as first point of contact for technical requirements internally and externally
• Creative facilitator--solves problems creatively and creates environment in which others can exercise creative solutions; fosters continuous improvement; pushes boundaries of technology, processes and techniques
• Boundary spanner--takes initiative across disciplines, operations and the campus; makes sacrifices so that other areas can be successful; practices holistic thinking and acts intentionally to collaborate; eliminates barriers and silos
• Developer--mentors and coaches both senior and junior level associates; prepares others for success; stimulates learning and contribution from teams; educates others on technical requirements
• Communication--able to have difficult conversations diplomatically; helps others understand expectations, capabilities and limitations; able to make the complex simple; provides detail where necessary
• Influence--creates an engaging environment; advocates for the business; maintains approachability; deals with conflict effectively
• Business minded--focused on things that drive quantifiable business outcomes; ensures quality; manages customer demand and sets boundaries where necessary
• Adaptable--copes well with change; addresses distractions and issues quickly; handles the unexpected without losing sight of important objectives

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in manufacturing
• Minimum of 1 year of leadership experience
• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in Continuous Improvement, Waste Elimination and Kaizen
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, (5 Why, Trucker’s Log, A3 Thinking), community, interpersonal, organization and negotiation skills
• Excellent leadership skills that create an engaged employee environment
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from customers, managers, and employees
• Ability to read blueprints
• Experience with CAD
• Ability to analyze time studies to set labor standards, mechanical ability that would allow the search for new and better equipment in a manufacturing environment
• Ability to provide technical leadership and guidance to the manufacturing areas
• Experience in the investment casting industry
• Good financial literacy

Howmet Aerospace, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. The Company’s primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems and titanium structural parts necessary for mission-critical performance and efficiency in aerospace and defense applications, as well as forged wheels for commercial transportation. Howmet Aerospace is transforming the next phase of more fuel-efficient, quieter aerospace engines and sustainable ground transportation. For more information, visit www.howmet.com/joinus