Manager, Manufacturing Engineer

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LOCATION: Westminster/Maryland (US-MD),United States| BRAND: Knorr Brake Company | REQUISITION ID: 11446 JOB GRADE: 17 ON-SITE/REMOTE: On-site

Knorr Brake Company is the innovative leader in the manufacture and supply of braking systems, passenger doors and climate-control equipment for all types of Mass Transit customers such as: METRO, Light Rail Vehicles, High-Speed Trains, Commuter Rail and Monorail Vehicles for the North America market. We’re part of the Knorr-Bremse Group, the global leader in braking technologies. As part of our team, you’ll collaborate with a world of talented and dedicated colleagues whose sense of purpose complements your own. You’ll find rewarding opportunities, diverse experiences, partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. Innovation is part of our DNA. Achievement drives our culture. Learn more today at

Job Description

Summary/Objective

Lead the Manufacturing Engineering team supporting the full manufacturing platform. Primary objectives include; management and development of the Manufacturing Engineering team, executing the departments strategic and tactical plans, leading process and footprint improvement projects, supporting KPS and helping instill a continuous improvement culture, functional management and development of the Process Engineering teams, supporting all regulatory and internal compliance requirements, and ensuring the department is resourced and staffed as needed to deliver upon expectations.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Directly responsible for Manufacturing Engineering and provides oversight and development for site Process Engineering teams working with the applicable Plant Managers
• Manage the department within the constraints of the annual departmental operating budget and resource projects as approved in the annual capital investment plan
• Support the KPS, Lean, Continuous Improvement Strategy and operational culture and provide resources to lead and participate in cross functional improvement/Kaizen activities
• Oversee the implementation of improvements to the sequence of operations, equipment utilization and related matters
• Provide leadership to design and redesign projects for BU Freight/Transit manufacturing facilities.
• Assign resources to support multiple locations across North America
• Design production tooling, fixtures and equipment
• Partner with HSE and Operations to ensure facilities have proper levels of safety and ergonomics
• Identify Cost Reduction opportunities and analyze for project rationale
• Track and report on Key Performance Indicators to management
• Justify and procure equipment and other capital improvements to continuously strive for world class levels of performance for all manufacturing platform sites
• Create and maintain a positive team culture enabling the organization to act as a high performing team
• Communicate goals and strategies to the team to drive change, motivate employees, provide direction, and align efforts
• Develop team member’s skills to expand their contribution and prepare them for advancement
• Measure and monitor performance, reward and recognize people for achievements, and address issues appropriately
• Develop succession strategies for critical roles
• Support the development and Introduction of new products
• Must understand and support all Quality, Product Safety, and Health/Safety/Environmental/Energy policies
• Must understand and adhere to all relevant statutory or regulatory compliance obligations
• Must understand, support and adhere to the Integrated Management System policies, procedures and instructions
• Must understand and support relevant key performance indicators (KPIs), as defined in the goal tree

Skills and Competencies

• Change agent and capable of leading change within an organization
• Strong background in lean manufacturing, with experience in leading initiatives and hands‑on implementation.
• Understanding of the 6 Sigma DMAIC process and typical 6 Sigma tools
• Has working knowledge of related quality assurance standards for freight and transit rail production and processes (i.e. ISO-9001, AAR-M1003, TEX, IRIS, etc.).
• Capable of planning and organizing work and process’s ability to direct multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Has a proven ability to recruit, train, and motivate a team to balance staffing strength with profitability and growth.
• Exhibits interpersonal and supervisory skills, such as, coaching, providing feedback, evaluating performance of subordinates, and the ability to motivate employees to achieve best-in‑class expectations.
• Exhibits interpersonal skills to work in a team-oriented, collaborative environment
• Possesses a high sense of urgency with a bias for action
• Able to create a high degree of credibility to be convincing and persuasive
• Has experience working in a global environment with multiple cultures
• Has a hands‑on, “go to Gemba” approach
• Exhibits strong operational skills in a product & process development environment
• Must be able to work effectively in a team environment and will interface closely with Engineering, Quality, Finance, Marketing and Sales and Operations
• Brings knowledge and creativity to the position as well as have the discipline to drive results and follow established fundamental processes

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has 3-5 or more direct personnel.

Physical Demands

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of an office work environment position.

Required Education and Experience

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience

Preferred Education and Experience

• Lean Manufacturing background and experience
• MBA or advanced Engineering Degree

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job‑related instructions and to perform any other job‑related duties requested by their supervisor.
• This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

What does Knorr Brake Company have to offer you?

• Competitive Health Benefits, including Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision and Virtual visits
• Company-paid Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Company-paid Short-Term Disability Coverage
• Voluntary life, Disability and other Supplemental coverages
• Identity Theft and Legal Protection benefits
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• Generous 401(k) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Free corporate passes to the Baltimore Zoo and Aquarium
• Free gym membership
• Additional discounts include cellular, auto, theme park & attraction tickets, local restaurants, bank partnerships, etc.
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid “KBC Cares” Volunteer Time Off12 company-paid holidays (includes full week between Christmas and New Year’s)
• Monthly employee welfare events and corporate outreach (Crab Feast, Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day, Chili Cook-Off, etc.)

Knorr Brake Company LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.