Industrial Engineering Manager at UniFirst

The Industrial Engineer Manager will lead all engineering activities and foster a culture of continuous improvement within our distribution center. This role is crucial in working with the Industrial Engineering (IE) group, Facilities, and Operations teams to enhance process efficiency, uphold labor standards, and drive cost-reduction initiatives. This Manager will also play a key role in the development and implementation of projects and strategies across all divisions.

The Engineer Manager demonstrates proficiency with project management & experience with daily operational capacities, including evaluating current production practices and employees’ tasks and responsibilities to maximize efficiency and productivity, identifying procedures or tools to improve productivity, using skills in project management to effectively deploy equipment, systems, and processes to increase productivity across our enterprise and enforce quality control to reduce waste.

Responsibilities:

• Leads an Engineering team of 5-7 Team Partners to effectively manage department processes, including planning, task/resource allocation, scheduling, reporting, installation/testing, deployment, and post-deployment follow-up.
• Constantly analyzes operational sequences, material flows, functional statements, organization charts, and project information to determine the most efficient functions and responsibilities, providing solutions for cost reduction and quality improvement through process improvements and cost/benefit analysis.
• Oversees direct reports engaged in product measurement, inspection, and testing activities to ensure quality control and reliability.
• Drafts and design layout of equipment, materials, and workspace to illustrate maximum efficiency, using drafting tools, AutoCAD, and a computer.
• Analyzes statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and establish quality and reliability objectives of finished product, including support of new products, works with manufacturing directly as needed to ensure seamless integration.
• Determines production costs and effect of product design changes for management review, action, and control.
• Supports team activities around onboarding of production and manufacturing Team Partners as well as performance of existing Team Partners through training and observation.
• Apply statistical methods to determine manufacturing processes, staff requirements, labor utilization standards and production standards.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and develop, analyze, and present cost-efficient solutions.
• Assess the impact of varying supply chain parameters on distribution center capacity.
• Collaborate with Operational support to develop preferred methods and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s), and production goals for the operation.
• Establish and maintain standards using methods, cycle frequency and time study analysis across all operational processes.
• Utilize labor data to justify capital expenditures and assess the return on investment for process changes. Communicate accurate process costs to senior management using labor and material cost data.
• Works directly with Maintenance Team Partners in order to facilitate optimum equipment performance including safety, process, and output.
• Works closely with Safety leaders, conducts ergonomic evaluations, recommends and implements improvements to work area designs to enhance employee safety and productivity.
• Provides oversight in the creation and delivery of reports to leadership that include performance data as measured against goals.
• Works closely with Business Analysts to assess data effectively.
• Works with Corporate Engineering as needed to support local initiatives.
• Supports Managers with equipment selection and Capital Expenditure Management.

Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or related field.
• Five or more years of related Industrial Engineering experience, with a strong background in managing teams.
• Experience with best-in-class Labor Reporting Systems & Labor Management Systems.
• Experience with an Incentive System is a plus.
• Experience with OSHA compliance, ISO 9001-2015, and Lean Methodology a plus.
• Experience and knowledge of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
• Strong leadership and communication skills that encourage strategic thinking, innovation, and action.
• Demonstrates support of the team through coaching, development, and guidance.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as to be able to work well with a team for a common goal.
• Proven experience in conducting multi-variable work measurements including time studies job analysis, and developing labor standards, process improvement initiatives, and network optimization projects within a distribution or manufacturing center environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact professionally and empathetically with colleagues at all levels
• Previous experience with distribution planning models, including square footage, labor, and staffing assessments.
• Proficient in creating and updating building layouts in AutoCAD/AutoCAD LT.
• Proficient skills in MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, OneNote, OneDrive, Visio), with heavy emphasis on Excel.
• Works calmly and constructively under pressure while meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrates exceptional communication skills by conveying necessary information accurately, listening effectively and asking questions where clarification is needed.
• Ability to follow instructions and respond to managements’ directions accurately.
• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness. Looks for ways to improve and promote quality and monitors own work to ensure quality is met.
• Must be able to travel as needed

Benefits & Perks:

401K with Company Match, Profit Sharing, Health Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, 30% Employee Discount, Employee Referral Bonuses.

UniFirst is an international leader in garment & Uniform services industry. We currently employ over 14,000 team partners who serve 300,000 business customer locations throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

We were included in the top 10 of Selling Power magazine’s “Best Companies to Sell For” list and recognized on Forbes magazine’s “Platinum 400 – Best Big Companies” list. As an 80-year old company focused on annual growth, there’s never been a better time to join our team. 

UniFirst is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or employment against any individual on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, or any other factor protected by anti-discrimination laws