Director of Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering

At AriensCo, we build more than exceptional products – we create opportunities that impact careers. Our culture values innovative thinking, hard work and determination. We interact in teams, collaborate together and make decisions quickly.

We see growth potential in every team member, and are committed to supporting our employees with continuous training and advancement opportunities. 
 
Our environment? We’re corporate, without being “corporate.” Whether you work at our headquarters, manufacturing facilities, or one of our global distribution businesses, you’ll always have the freedom to create and contribute.  Our company vision is “Passionate People, Astounded Customers.” Quite simply: it revolves around people 
 
Speaking of people, you’re not just employee #1,762 to us. You’re family and your role is invaluable. Without exceptional people, we can’t continue to produce the amazing products we're known for around the world.
 
Ready for the ride of your career? Then come join us. By joining our team, you'll have the opportunity to work in a rewarding workplace with a strong sense of community. 

Job Description:

AriensCo is excited to be seeking a Director to lead and grow a high-performing Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering organization in Brillion, WI! This is a high-impact leadership role focused on designing, industrializing, and continuously improving high-volume, automotive-grade production processes.

THE DAY TO DAY...

Strategy & Leadership

• Build the vision, roadmap, and operating mechanisms for the Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering (IME) function; set clear standards for process design, documentation, validation, change control, and lessons learned

• Develop team capability (coaching, skills matrices, succession plans) and foster a culture of data-driven problem solving, standard work, and continuous improvement

New Product & Process Development (NPD/IPD)

• Own manufacturing readiness for new programs: process concepting, flow, line design, line balancing, ergonomics, tooling specification, and capital justification

• Lead application of APQP and PPAP (DFMEA/PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC) for launch readiness; partner with Quality, Supplier Quality, Product Engineering, and Supply Chain

• Plan and run DOE, capability studies, and production trials in order to achieve targeted Cpk/Ppk, FPY, and ramp-to-rate milestones

• Partner with Operations Leadership to ensure new products and processes are ready and capable of meeting or exceeding all production and quality goals and targets

Operational Excellence

• Drive systemic waste removal using Lean (VSM, 5S/6S, Kaizen, Kanban, visual management) and Six Sigma (DMAIC, statistical methods) to improve OEE, throughput, changeover, and labor productivity

• Implement robust standard work, work instructions, and error-proofing (Poka-Yoke); lock in improvements through layered audits and QOS routines

• Establish and maintain performance boards and tiered accountability (daily/weekly) with production leadership

Advanced Manufacturing & Automation

• Guide deployment of robotics, automated inspection, MES/traceability, and in-process testing to stabilize and scale high-volume operations (welding, forming, machining, assembly, paint)

• Partner with Controls/IT to ensure process data integrity and real-time analytics for decision support

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to relevant standards (e.g., , customer-specific requirements); champion preventive quality and robust process controls from Day 1

• Collaborate with Supplier Quality on incoming material/process capability and with Product Engineering on DFM/DFA tradeoffs

Cost & Capital Stewardship

• Deliver annual productivity (e.g., labor, material, scrap) and CI savings targets; build ROI-backed capital business cases and manage execution against scope, schedule, and budget

People Leadership

• Recruit top talent; set goals, conduct performance reviews, and recognize high performance

• Create an inclusive, safe environment; enforce EHS/ergonomics in process design and daily operations

THE QUALIFICATIONS...

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in high-volume automotive or automotive-grade manufacturing environments, leading end-to-end process development and production scaling

• Demonstrated leadership of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering teams (multi-process lines preferred: forming, welding, machining, paint, assembly)

• Proven mastery of Lean Six Sigma; capable of coaching teams through DMAIC with measurable results

• Hands-on expertise with APQP/PPAP, PFMEA/Control Plan, MSA/SPC, capability indices (Cpk/Ppk), and DOE

• Strong analytical skills; fluency in SQL/Excel or analytics tools to mine production data and drive decisions

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (or Master Black Belt) certification

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

About AriensCo

Since 1933, the AriensCo name has been associated with reliable, durably crafted, high-performance outdoor power equipment. Our core values – Be Honest, Be Fair, Respect the Individual, Keep our Commitments, and Encourage Intellectual Curiosity define our culture and inspire our team. We believe passionate people and astounded customers lead to unstoppable success.
 
Our employees’ quality of life is important to us. When people feel appreciated, respected and supported, careers thrive and ideas come to fruition.  AriensCo employees are provided various great benefit opportunities which may include: 

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance effective first day of employment

• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plan

• 401(k) match and profit-sharing plans

• Life Insurance

• Health Savings Accounts (HSA)

• Short Term Disability

• Parental Leave

• Onsite Marketplace Care Partners at all locations

• Paid holidays

• Employee Assistance Program

• Tuition Reimbursement and Apprenticeship Programs

• Safety shoes and safety prescription glasses reimbursement

• Employee Product Purchase Program

• 50% Daycare discount **Brillion Early Learning Center

• Onsite health clinic with Bellin Health **Brillion Campus Only

• Nearsite & Urgent Care Clinic Options **Brillion Campus Only

EEO Statement
 

The concept of diversity is important to us at AriensCo. That’s why we’ve created a culture that is inclusive, accepting and understanding. We embrace diversity among our partners, suppliers and employees. We also strive for diversity in the quality of our ideas. Inclusion and acceptance means that, regardless of who you are, you will always be standing on our welcome mat. 

AriensCo is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and steadfastly committed to hiring and selecting the most qualified candidate for any open position. It is the policy of AriensCo 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. 

Providing our employees with an environment free of discrimination and harassment is something we take very seriously. Embracing diversity enables us to attract the best qualified talent, foster productive teamwork, and expand our business opportunities.