Engineering Supervisor (1st shift) NTN Driveshaft, Inc Columbus, Indiana

NTN DRIVESHAFT, INC.

Job Title: Engineering Supervisor

JOB DESCRIPTION: Engineering Supervisor are responsible for supervising, leading and coordinating the Engineering group which is responsible for process design, process sheet drawing, budget planning, hard turning process, assembly process and electrical engineering for manufacturing constant velocity joint (CVJs). 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership and Supervision:

• Maintains a safe and organized working environment, insuring full compliance with local, state and federal (EPA and OSHA) regulations, initiating safety improvements, and ensuring that all associates are trained in the proper and safe use of production related equipment.
• Provide direct leadership and oversight for all engineers and engineering technicians, ensuring clear expectations, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Develops and implements departmental goals, action plans and objectives.
• Oversee departmental budgets and spending to ensure financial resources are used responsibly, verifying that all purchases are necessary, cost-effective, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Initiates and conducts periodic reviews of manufacturing strategy, including equipment reliability/capability, capacity planning and quality improvement.
• Establishes and implements short and long-range group goals and metrics, objectives, policies, operating procedures, and regular reporting of results.
• Establishes and maintains a culture of continuous improvement, and oversees the execution of projects designed to reduce process variability, improve quality, and reduce waste and unnecessary product costs.
• Supervises trains and develops staff through structured cross-training, creation of clear “how-to” documentation, and effective knowledge transfer practices to ensure continuity and capability across the department.
• Leads the activities of the Engineering group to meet departmental and company business requirements and schedules, increase efficiencies and optimize time and resources.  This includes manufacturing engineers, interns, vendors and other employees assigned to engineering projects.
• Develops process plans for new parts, conducts time studies, prepares part quotations, and reviews existing processes.
• Works with the manufacturing, quality and maintenance groups on manufacturing and quality concerns.
• Investigates and plans industrial type activities such as, cycle times, tooling studies, ergonomics and safety reviews.
• Support Production when needed in machine troubleshooting and part issue resolution
• Utilize automated tools and technology systems to track, schedule, and manage part development activities for improved accuracy, visibility, and workflow coordination.
• Completes performance evaluations, initiates disciplinary action if required, and coordinate and approves vacation requests while maintaining adequate coverage to support uninterrupted departmental operations.
• Demonstrate and model a strong work ethic by consistently performing at a high level, applying sound judgment, working efficiently, supporting colleagues, and upholding organizational values in all situations.
• Responsible for managing engineering projects, part developments, machine breakdowns that require engineering support and any other engineering tasks related to your department.
• Demonstrate and model a strong work ethic by consistently performing at a high level, applying sound judgment, working efficiently, supporting colleagues, and upholding organizational values in all situations.
• Participates in employment interviewing and hiring decisions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Capital and Improvement Projects:

• Support the identification and proposal of new capital projects that demonstrate a positive return on investment and provide measurable value to NTN
• Lead all capital projects within the engineering department, including both small-scale and large-scale initiatives, ensuring effective planning, execution, and completion
  • Conduct thorough Front-End Planning (FEP) to define scope, risks, resources, and project requirements.
  • Maintain clear, consistent communication with all stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Manage project budgets responsibly, ensuring expenditures align with approved financial plans.
  • Establish clear project KPIs and conduct post-completion reviews to evaluate performance and outcomes.
  • Selects equipment and material and subcontracts sources.
  • Supervises installation and initial start-up of equipment.
  • Performs and documents machine tool capability studies.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EDUCATION, AND ABILITIES:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Manufacturing Engineering highly preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration preferred.
• 3+ years of previous supervisory experience in Engineering, preferably in a manufacturing or industrial facility
• Experience implementing lean manufacturing practices, 5S workplace, machine reliability, waste reduction, visual factory management.
• Working knowledge of all or some of the following processes is highly preferred: Hard turning and milling, automation/robotics, work cell assembly, induction heat treat, CNC/PLC programming, facilities maintenance.
• Excellent leadership skills, organization skills and attention to detail. (I got rid of the bottom bullet and copied the two end items up)
• Budget and financial experience.
• Strong computer and math skills, experience with Microsoft Office.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and presentation skills.
• Ability to work well cross-functionally and communicate with internal and external parties.
• Ability to lead, supervise, motivate, coach, counsel and train.
• Ability to effectively create and maintain a teamwork environment.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills, including ability to collect data, establish facts, draw conclusions and recommend effective corrective action.
• Ability to organize, plan, allocate resources and prioritize in order to meet multiple overlapping and competing deadlines and strict timelines.
• Strict attention to safety.
• Ability to initiate and lead continuous improvement activities.
• Ability to travel to supplier and/or customer sites with minimal advance notice.  Overnight and international travel may be required

Previous experience in automotive manufacturing or in a multi-cultural environment a plus.