Technical Area Business Leader - Fabrication

At GE Appliances, a Haier company, we come together to make “good things, for life.”  As the fastest-growing appliance company in the U.S., we’re powered by creators, thinkers and makers who believe that anything is possible and that there’s always a better way.  We believe in the power of our people and in giving them the freedom to explore, discover and build good things, together.  

The GE Appliances philosophy, backed by three simple commitments defines the way we work, invent, create, do business, and serve our communities: we come together, we always look for a better way, and we create possibilities. 

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and must be able to maintain such authorization without current or future employer or school sponsorship. GE Appliances will not sponsor employment-based visas for this position now or in the future.

Interested in joining us on our journey? 

GE Appliances’ Camden, SC plant is looking for a Technical Area Business Leader (ABL) in our Fabrication department. This ABL is responsible for the safe, efficient and reliable operation of a manufacturing value stream, with accountability for safety, quality, delivery, cost and culture. This role combines technical expertise in equipment and facility systems with strong people leadership to ensure stable processes, high equipment effectiveness and consistent performance. The leader drives daily operations, partners with engineering and suppliers, leads structured problem solving and continuous improvement and develops team capability while promoting a strong safety and quality culture.

Position

Technical Area Business Leader - Fabrication

Location

USA, Camden, SC

How You'll Create Possibilities

Operational & Technical Leadership

• Serve as the primary point of contact for manufacturing operations and overall equipment effectiveness within the assigned section.
• Own operational performance and continuous improvement of key metrics including safety, quality, delivery, cost and culture, aligning area targets with plant objectives.
• Lead cross-functional manufacturing teams, including salaried and hourly employees, to achieve daily and long-term goals.
• Ensure process stability through adherence to standard work and effective deployment of standardized work across the value stream.
• Ensure 5S standards are established, maintained and audited throughout the section.

Equipment & Facility Systems

• Own the effective utilization, reliability and operation of facility support systems including lighting, compressed air, electrical systems, plumbing, vacuum systems, sprinklers, HVAC and heating.
• Identify recurring equipment and infrastructure issues, lead troubleshooting efforts and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Lead and support level 2 diagnostics, troubleshooting and repairs.
• Identify, prioritize and develop action plans to resolve chronic maintenance and infrastructure issues.
• Serve as the primary technical contact for equipment suppliers and external vendors.
• Conduct investigations into critical equipment failures and communicate findings and countermeasures.

Production Management & Communication

• Utilize production line boards to monitor value stream performance, identify issues and initiate problem resolution.
• Ensure clear communication of issues, actions and lessons learned across all shifts to prevent recurrence.
• Prepare daily performance reports and present metrics during production meetings.
• Prepare and cascade daily topics for zone leaders to ensure consistent messaging and execution.
• Own information flow across shifts and adjacent maintenance escalation teams to ensure timely and accurate communication.

Engineering & Systems Integration

• Partner with Advanced Manufacturing Engineering to support equipment strategies and technical readiness.
• Ensure technical specifications are complete and aligned with overall equipment and manufacturing strategies.
• Serve as gatekeeper for PLC and robot programs, layouts and equipment change documentation.
• Support TPM initiatives and events across the manufacturing footprint.

Continuous Improvement

• Live, promote and teach the Appliance Production System philosophy within the value stream.
• Lead structured problem solving and root cause analysis for operational and technical issues.
• Identify and eliminate waste through continuous improvement initiatives.
• Promote and lead Kaizen and TPM events within the department.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Issues timely, well-documented discipline and supports HR in completing prompt, thorough investigations when needed.
• Coach, mentor and develop future leaders within the organization.
• Ensure ongoing performance feedback, training and career development for team members.

Quality

• Ensure products are manufactured to specification and are defect-free.
• Enforce Manufacturing Control Plan (MCP) requirements and all quality standards.
• Partner cross-functionally to resolve production and quality issues.
• Monitor scrap data and lead permanent corrective actions to reduce waste.

Safety

• Own safety performance and metrics for the value stream.
• Promote a strong safety culture through active support of safety programs.
• Ensure compliance with safety procedures and timely investigation of incidents.

What You'll Bring to Our Team

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, Industrial) or equivalent experience.
• 5 years’ experience in maintenance, mechanical or equipment engineering.

Preferred:

• Broad working knowledge of electrical and mechanical systems in an automated manufacturing environment.

• Hands-on experience with industrial automation, including vision systems, pick-and-place processes and 6-axis robotics, preferably Fanuc.

• Experience supporting high-speed, high-volume automated manufacturing operations.

• Familiarity with a wide range of manufacturing equipment, including adhesive dispensing systems, plastic welding, bowl feeders, conveyors, AGVs and packaging equipment.

• Strong mechanical aptitude with demonstrated ability in logical controls, diagnostics and root cause problem solving.

• Proven experience troubleshooting, programming and supporting automated equipment and robotic systems.

• Prior supervisory experience or direct leadership within production or manufacturing operations.

• Demonstrated leadership capability, including communication, facilitation, collaboration and team development.

• Strong analytical and technical skill set, with experience applying Lean, Six Sigma or similar continuous improvement tools.

• Ability to translate long-term operational and equipment strategies into effective day-to-day execution.

• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office tools, with working knowledge of PLCs, automation software or programming environments preferred.

Working Conditions:

• Working conditions are normal for both an office and manufacturing environment.

• Work may involve lifting materials and products up to 25 pounds.

• Working in the manufacturing environment requires the use of safety equipment to include but not limited to: safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, work shoes/boots.

Our Culture

Our work is centered on our People and Culture as reflected in our Zero Distance philosophy and we recognize the importance of reaffirming our commitment to inclusion and diversity (I&D). This underscores our commitment to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, connected, and empowered to contribute, while positioning our organization to adapt seamlessly to the evolving needs of our workforce and communities.

This reflects our dedication to creating solutions that: Empower colleagues by fostering an environment where all voices are heard, valued, and encouraged to contribute. Strengthen communities where we live and work. Reinforce a culture of belonging, purpose, and engagement. Reflect the diversity of the communities we serve through our workforce, products, and practices.

By further embedding Zero Distance into our People and Culture framework, we will continue to build a deeply connected organization. We are cultivating a culture of engagement, belonging, and connection, because while attracting new talent remains a priority, retention is a cornerstone of our strategy.

GE Appliances is a trust-based organization. It is important we offer our employees the flexibility they need to do their best work while balancing the needs of the business and individuals. When you join GE Appliances, you will have the opportunity to work with your leader to create a flexible work arrangement that balances the needs of the individual, team, and organization.

GE Appliances is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

GE Appliances participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance or an accommodation to use our website or to apply, please send an e-mail to [email protected]