Manufacturing Engineer Manager - Sanford, NC

Trion Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), a business segment of Air Distribution Technologies, Inc. (ADTI), is seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead engineering operations at our Sanford, North Carolina manufacturing facility. This Tier II facility produces innovative indoor air quality solutions, including air cleaners, filtration products, humidification systems, and related IAQ technologies that improve the health, comfort, and efficiency of residential and commercial environments.

About the role

The Manufacturing Engineering Manager will provide leadership for manufacturing engineering initiatives that enhance safety, quality, productivity, and cost performance while supporting new product introductions, capital investments, automation initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts throughout the facility. This role partners closely with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and Product Engineering to ensure manufacturing excellence and operational success.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a multi-level Manufacturing Engineering team, fostering technical growth, accountability, and succession planning.
• Drive the design, optimization, and standardization of manufacturing and assembly processes to improve safety, quality, throughput, and cost efficiency.
• Lead facility layout improvements, workflow optimization, and material flow initiatives that support scalable growth and operational excellence.
• Manage capital equipment projects including justification, vendor selection, budgeting, installation, validation, and startup activities.
• Partner with Operations and Maintenance teams to improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and develop long-term asset improvement strategies.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives focused on waste reduction, process capability, productivity, and quality performance.
• Collaborate with Product Engineering on new product introductions (NPI), design for manufacturability (DFM), capacity planning, tooling requirements, and process validation.
• Support automation and technology advancement initiatives that improve efficiency, ergonomics, and manufacturing performance.
• Utilize production metrics, quality data, and operational KPIs to identify opportunities and develop data-driven recommendations for plant leadership.
• Ensure compliance with company safety standards, environmental requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Serve as a key member of the Sanford facility leadership team, supporting strategic business objectives and operational performance goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of facility objectives and business needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of engineering experience within a manufacturing environment, including demonstrated leadership responsibility through direct people leadership and/or technical leadership.
• Strong experience with Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma methodologies, and process optimization.
• Proven success leading engineering projects, manufacturing improvements, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience with capital equipment implementation, process validation, and manufacturing technology deployment.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD or similar CAD software and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, project management, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to influence across multiple functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in HVAC, indoor air quality, filtration, consumer products, electromechanical assembly, or related manufacturing industries.
• Experience supporting mixed-model production, assembly operations, and product customization environments.
• Prior leadership experience managing manufacturing engineering teams within a structured manufacturing organization.
• Experience executing capital projects from business justification through commissioning and production ramp-up.
• Familiarity with automation, robotics, vision systems, Industry 4.0 technologies, and smart manufacturing solutions.
• Working knowledge of ERP and manufacturing execution systems (MES).

Work Environment

This position is based in a manufacturing facility environment and requires regular interaction with production operations. The role routinely involves working on or near the production floor, with exposure to machinery, moving mechanical parts, electrical equipment, powered industrial vehicles, noise, and assembly operations. Employees may be required to stand for extended periods, walk throughout the facility, and occasionally lift or move materials consistent with manufacturing operations. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be utilized as required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.