Manufacturing Manager - Automotive - Springfield, MA

My client is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead engineering and operational improvement initiatives within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This is a strategic leadership opportunity offering ownership of capital projects, process optimization, team development, and site-wide continuous improvement programs. Client Details My client is a well-established and highly respected manufacturing organization with a strong reputation for quality, operational excellence, and innovation. The business serves a diverse customer base and continues to invest in its people, technology, and production capabilities to support long-term growth. The company fosters a collaborative and team-oriented culture where employee development, safety, and continuous improvement are key priorities. Leaders are empowered to drive change, influence decisions, and implement initiatives that improve performance across the organization. This is an excellent opportunity to join a stable business that values technical expertise, encourages professional growth, and offers the chance to lead meaningful operational and engineering improvements with visible impact. Description Reporting into the Director of Operations, you will be responsible for the following: Lead, develop, and manage the manufacturing engineering function to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives. Drive continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations using Lean methodologies and best practices. Manage engineering resources, budgets, capital expenditure projects, and tooling initiatives. Develop and execute long-term manufacturing improvement and facility investment plans. Oversee equipment specification, procurement, installation, qualification, and commissioning activities. Analyze production processes, workflows, capacity, and resource utilization to improve operational performance. Collaborate with production, quality, maintenance, procurement, and leadership teams to resolve operational challenges. Monitor key performance indicators and implement corrective actions to improve efficiency, productivity, and quality. Lead workforce planning, training, succession planning, and employee development programs. Ensure compliance with safety standards, quality systems, environmental requirements, and company policies. Support risk reduction activities and implement process improvements that minimize operational risks. Drive cost reduction programs and identify opportunities to improve throughput, material flow, and overall manufacturing efficiency. Lead and mentor cross-functional teams while promoting a culture of accountability, teamwork, and operational excellence. Profile The successful candidate will be an experienced engineering leader with a strong background in manufacturing environments and a proven track record of delivering operational improvements. Key requirements include: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Approximately 10+ years of manufacturing engineering and leadership experience. Demonstrated success managing teams within a production environment. Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles, including Kaizen, Kanban, SMED, and 5S. Experience leading capital equipment and process improvement projects. Knowledge of manufacturing processes, productivity improvement, cost reduction, and operational excellence methodologies. Familiarity with ISO quality systems and continuous improvement frameworks. Strong project management and organizational skills. Ability to analyze manufacturing data and translate insights into actionable improvements. Experience with workforce planning, budgeting, and resource management. Excellent communication, presentation, coaching, and stakeholder management skills. Results-oriented leadership style with the ability to influence teams and drive change. Strong problem-solving skills and a commitment to safety, quality, and customer satisfaction. Job Offer Senior leadership opportunity with significant influence over manufacturing operations and engineering strategy. Ownership of major capital investment and continuous improvement initiatives. Ability to shape and develop a high-performing engineering team. Exposure to cross-functional leadership and executive stakeholder engagement. Stable and growing manufacturing organization with a strong commitment to operational excellence. Opportunity to directly impact productivity, quality, safety, and profitability. Professional development and career progression opportunities. Collaborative culture that values innovation, accountability, and employee growth. Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits package. Chance to lead transformational projects in a technically advanced manufacturing environment. MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.