Lean Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Lean Manufacturing Engineer

Who we are:

Atkore is forging a future where our employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders, and communities are building better together – a future focused on serving the customer and powering and protecting the world.

With a global network of manufacturing and distribution facilities, Atkore is a leading provider of electrical, safety, and infrastructure solutions.

Who we are looking for:

The Lean Engineer is a dedicated, on‑site role responsible for driving daily execution, stability, and continuous improvement through the Atkore Business System (ABS). This role partners directly with site leadership, supervisors, and operators to improve performance in Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC).

The Lean Engineer is expected to operate as a combination of accountability partner, hands‑on doer, and lean subject‑matter expert. This is not a coordination or advisory role; success requires visible floor presence, direct engagement, and ownership of results.

Role Expectations: Partner, Doer, and Lean Expert

The Lean Engineer is expected to:

• Act as an accountability partner by reinforcing standards, commitments, and follow‑through with supervisors and leaders
• Serve as a hands‑on doer, directly executing and driving improvement work on the shop floor
• Apply lean expertise to diagnose problems, set standards, and guide teams toward effective countermeasures

This role requires a bias for action, comfort challenging gaps to standard, and persistence to ensure results are delivered and sustained.

What you'll do:

Lean Daily Management & Execution

• Support and sustain Lean Daily Management (LDM) systems across departments and shifts
• Facilitate daily huddles, tier meetings, and SQDC reviews
• Ensure visual management is accurate, current, and used to drive action

Supervisor Coaching & Accountability

• Coach supervisors on leader standard work, escalation, and problem solving
• Reinforce commitments made in daily management and ensure follow‑through
• Address gaps to standards directly and in real time

Continuous Improvement & Kaizen

• Identify, prioritize, and lead high‑impact Kaizen events aligned to SQDC objectives
• Partner with site leadership to ensure CI activity focuses on impactful real business needs
• Use data and direct observation to target improvement opportunities with material impact
• Translate Kaizen outcomes into standard work with clear ownership and sustainment plans

Problem Solving & Performance Improvement

• Analyze operational data to identify trends, risks, and chronic issues
• Lead structured root cause problem solving using lean and Six Sigma tools
• Drive execution and verification of countermeasures

Sustainment & Standardization

• Prevent regression through audits, follow‑up, and routine reinforcement
• Support standardization of best practices within the site

What you’ll bring:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Engineering, Engineering Technology, or other related functional areas or work experience.
• 3 to 5 years of similar work experience in a manufacturing operation.
• Certified Lean Practitioner or Certified Six Sigma Black Belt strongly preferred.
• Proficient in creating and analyzing data. Proven ability to conduct complex problem solving and analysis and apply these abilities to product or service development and process improvement required.

Within 3 Months: Prepare, Introduce, Familiarize

• Complete the Atkore Onboarding & Immersion program.
• Develop a clear understanding of how your role contributes to Atkore’s overall strategy.
• Begin building strong working relationships with site leadership, support functions, and production teams.
• Familiarize yourself with the plant layout, internal Lean systems, and operating rhythms.
• Participate in scheduled Gemba walks, leadership meetings, and continuous improvement activities.

Within 6 Months: Engage, Support, Learn

• Manage and enhance Key Process Indicators (KPIs) and Targets to Improve (TTI) dashboards aligned to the Strategy Deployment Process.
• Support plant productivity initiatives and transactional waste reduction efforts.
• Provide input and feedback to leadership on process improvement opportunities across all areas of the organization.
• Facilitate process and transactional improvement Kaizen events.
• Identify, establish, and sustain standardized processes across the organization.
• Collect, analyze, and monitor data to prioritize high-impact Kaizen initiatives.
• Actively engage in plant operating rhythms that promote cross-functional communication, opportunity identification, and problem-solving.
• Partner closely with plant team members at all levels to train, coach, and implement Lean methodologies (e.g., LDM, 5S, Kaizen).
• Conduct assessments to evaluate team maturity in Lean tools, concepts, and methodologies.

Within 12 Months: Define, Collaborate, Execute

• Partner with cross-functional teams to define process capabilities, assess performance gaps, and develop gap closure plans.
• Build and support a robust Continuous Improvement (Kaizen) pipeline, including creating and executing Kaizen charters Facilitating improvement workshops and coaching team leaders on effectiveness.
• Coach, train, and mentor teams in Lean tools and methodologies, including Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Standard Work, 5S, SMED, Lean Daily Management, Gemba, problem-solving, and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM).
• Promote awareness, knowledge, and application of Lean methodologies to support business objectives.
• Establish and sustain standardized processes across the organization.
• Provide functional leadership with guidance and support in applying Lean and Continuous Improvement principles aligned with Atkore Business System (ABS) objectives.
• Deliver training on Lean and Continuous Improvement tools in both office and manufacturing environments.

Atkore is a six-time Great Place to Work© certified company and a four-time Top Workplaces USA award winner! We’re committed to creating an engaged, aligned workforce driven by a collaborative culture. Our team strives for breakthrough results and stays focused on being standout leaders. We consistently live the Atkore mission, strategic priorities, and behaviors consistent with our core values.

Join our team and align yourself with an industry leader!

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay for this position is $76,080 - $104,610. Placement in the range depends on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, relevant experience, skills, seniority, performance, shift, travel requirements, and business or organizational needs and may change over time. Other compensation may include, but not limited to, overtime, shift differentials, bonuses, commissions, stock, and other incentives.

Benefits available include:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• 401k
• Paid Time Off
• Paid holidays
• Any leave required under federal, state, or local law

Benefits are subject to vesting and eligibility requirements.

Applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis.