Manager, Engineering and Maintenance - TN

U.S. Tsubaki Automotive, LLC is an international tier-one supplier of high-speed chain drive systems to the automotive industry.

About the role

The Engineering and Maintenance Manager manages assigned resources and provides direction to direct reports to ensure all safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives are achieved. This role is responsible for budget controls, tooling design, and capital projects implementation in a manner that supports and benefits production output.

Responsibilities

• Manages all resources to promote teamwork, respect, accountability, and continuous improvement in People, Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost objectives.
• Ensures all Safety and Quality standards, processes, and procedures are followed and improved upon to exceed objectives.
• Ensures on-time delivery to all internal and external customers.
• Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains new staff; provides performance evaluations and mentors team members.
• Handles personnel issues, including coaching, disciplining, and resolving employee complaints.
• Oversees daily workflow, sets priorities, and collaborates with leadership across teams.
• Writes equipment specifications and qualification plans for new equipment using statistical methods and design of experiments.
• Develops long-range capital improvements plans and oversees project schedules to ensure timelines are met.
• Analyzes workforce utilization, space requirements, and workflow to maximize efficiency.
• Ensures compliance with factory rules, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Reviews production data to identify causes of nonconformity and implements corrective actions.
• Develops and implements operating methods to eliminate problems and improve product quality.
• Coordinates engineering activities with supporting departments to optimize production and resource utilization.
• Assesses cost effectiveness of manufacturing processes and implements recommendations to reduce costs.
• Drives productivity improvements by increasing "added value" per person and minimizing equipment downtime.
• Participates in Risk Management Program Operations (RMPO) for special processes and develops improvement plans.
• Manages expense budgets and reduces controllable and non-controllable costs.
• Leads continuous improvement initiatives, including lean manufacturing concepts like Kanban, Kaizen, SMED, and 5S.
• Directs maintenance and repair of machinery, equipment, and facility systems (electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic).
• Develops and implements Preventive and Predictive Maintenance programs for facilities, including HVAC, plumbing, chillers, and plant air systems.
• Contributes positively to the company culture (Tsubaki Spirit).
• Performs other tasks, projects, and functions as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in mechanical or manufacturing engineering preferred.
• Ten years of experience in precision manufacturing, preferably metal-related.
• Experience in engineering management within manufacturing, with exposure to power transmission products.
• Knowledge of work standards, quality standards, and disciplines for world-class quality and productivity.
• Background in motion and time study to evaluate shop methods and cycle times.
• ISO 9001/14000 experience.
• Hands-on experience with formal Continuous Improvement efforts in a team setting.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Project Management, ISO, and CAD.
• Experience with JIT production systems and efficient material flow.
• Understanding of standard costing, budgeting, and formal cost reduction programs.
• Ability to plan and analyze manpower requirements to meet production schedules.

Benefits

• Health benefits effective on date of hire.
• Dental and vision benefits effective the first of the month following date of hire.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and 10 paid holidays.
• Generous 401(k) match and profit sharing.
• Annual bonus potential.
• Life insurance, short- and long-term disability.
• Flexible spending accounts and commuter benefits.
• Education reimbursement.
• Home and auto insurance discounts.
• Pet insurance.

Pay

The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for the position. Individual pay is based on location, skills, expertise, experience, and other relevant factors. U.S. Tsubaki may pay more or less than the anticipated range based on market data and other considerations.