Manufacturing Engineering Manager
About the Role
Great Plains Manufacturing – Kubota Construction Equipment Division is seeking a dynamic leader to join our team as a Manufacturing Engineering Manager at our new Salina facility. This is a unique opportunity to learn and implement the Kubota Production System (KPS) in Salina, Kansas. You’ll have the opportunity to travel to Osaka, Japan to learn how Kubota currently manufactures the Compact Track Loader (CTL) and lead the Manufacturing Engineering team in setting up the CTL process in Salina. This role involves building production prototypes to implementing and managing the final production process from the ground up.
This is an on-site role based in Salina, KS. The engineering team typically works Monday through Thursday from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Responsibilities
- Provide a safe working environment through training, regular communication, auditing for safe practices, and completion of inspection findings.
- Learn KPS principles and processes as trained by Kubota, then teach and coach KPS to the Manufacturing Engineering (ME) team; implement and sustain KPS in the new plant.
- Demonstrate strong management and leadership skills to build a new team of employees at our new plant.
- Manage ME department employees, including reviews and addressing concerns to provide a good work environment.
- Work with production departments to develop or revise standard work to achieve the expected level of quality.
- Create the ME schedule and adjust staffing and work hours to meet schedules.
- Participate in capacity planning and efficient use of equipment and people.
- Inspect machines and equipment to ensure specific operational quality, performance, and optimum utilization.
- Manage department KPIs of Safety, People, Quality, Delivery, and Cost.
- Mentor and foster personal development of manufacturing engineers to drive growth and support company succession planning requirements.
- Follow all Great Plains and OSHA safety regulations and wear prescribed safety and protective equipment.
- Perform other duties as assigned that may require additional qualifications, physical demands, and/or work environment adjustments.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Industrial, or Mechanical Engineering with a minimum of 8 years’ experience.
- 4+ years of leadership experience in an engineering role.
- Experience in leading lean manufacturing initiatives.
- Agriculture, construction, or heavy equipment manufacturing experience preferred.
- Strong background in capital assets justification and approval.
- Working knowledge of automated manufacturing processes and business operating systems.
About the Company
Great Plains Manufacturing, headquartered in Salina, KS, is a proud subsidiary of Kubota with more than 50 years as a Kansas leader in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of agricultural implements, including seeding, tillage, and landscaping equipment. Our new Construction Equipment Division adds Kubota-branded skid steers, compact track loaders, and CE attachments, supported by Kubota Construction R&D Engineering in Salina. Operating in eight Kansas communities with multiple divisions—including Great Plains Ag, Land Pride, Great Plains International, and the Construction Equipment Division—we employ over 2,000 people and are committed to innovation and professional growth.
Schedule
Monday through Thursday, 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.