Manufacturing Process Engineer II

About the Company

Comfort starts with our 10,000+ team members across the globe, who are transforming the power of comfort every day. Our employees have the power to change lives, in our homes, work, and communities. We foster an inclusive environment while honoring a legacy built on family, where everyone can be themselves. If you are ready to join an industry-leading organization where our people are the most important asset, and innovation propels us into the future, you’re ready to take your seat at La-Z-Boy Incorporated.

About the Role

This position plans, manages, and supports manufacturing engineering activities in the area of production equipment, machinery, fixtures, gauges, and tooling. This role develops documentation for acquisition and appropriation of capital equipment and seeks out, designs, develops, and integrates new methods and technology into the product/manufacturing process. This role also supports manufacturing operations and manages special projects as directed.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate fabrication and installation activities to ensure products and systems conform to engineering design and customer specifications.
• Confer with management, engineering, and other staff regarding manufacturing capabilities, production schedules, and other considerations to facilitate production processes as well as assisting in establishing the manufacturing capital budgets and equipment expenditures.
• Develop models of alternate processing methods to test feasibility of new applications, systems, and processes. Design & recommend implementation of improved procedures.
• Coordinate the design and specification of gauges, fixtures, tooling, material handling, and material conveyance in support of on-going manufacturing operations.
• Investigate and recommend new manufacturing methods, machinery, and equipment to increase productivity, reduce waste, and reduce cost in support of the company-wide standardization for processes, equipment, and management systems.
• Oversee the design of products and systems to interface machines, hardware, and software and provide support to R&D in the development of new or changed products.
• Research and analyze data such as design proposals, specifications, and manuals to determine feasibility of design or application.
• Apply statistical methods to estimate manufacturing process capabilities and analyze proposals to determine if benefits derived and possible applications justify expenditures.
• Develop specifications for all material handling equipment. Ensure facility and equipment are maintained as safe and productive at all times.
• Work with machinery and equipment suppliers concerning specifications, quotes, terms, delivery, and installation. Negotiate long-term relationship agreements and LZB-specific technology protection.
• Evaluate field installations and recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions and improve productivity.
• Maintain and update CAD documentation for equipment and plant layouts.
• Provide assistance in the preparation of capital projects as well as R&A review and recommendation.
• Recommend sourcing locations for both technology and discrete product placement.
• Participate in meetings, seminars, vendor trips, and training sessions to stay apprised of new developments in the field.

Scope & Impact

This position must plan, design, arrange, change, and optimize the manufacturing process. With a thorough knowledge of manufacturing concepts and the ability to grasp new technology quickly, this position has a high impact on reducing downtime, improving efficiencies, and reducing cost within the manufacturing processes. The results derived by this position may have a direct impact on financial performance, typically responsible for 1-2M annual cost reduction projects for the Dayton campus.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field with 2-4 years’ experience in a manufacturing environment, or equivalent.
• Experience with AutoCAD.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Visio.
• Excellent analytical/problem-solving skills.
• Strong technical writing skills.
• Knowledge of NPV and ROI in regards to capital acquisition and appropriation.
• Experience & knowledge in defining & documenting processes including process flow, PFMEA, control plans, and work instructions.
• Experience and knowledge of statistical process control.
• Knowledge and experience in lean manufacturing.
• Experience & knowledge in reading part, gauge, and machine drawings.
• Familiar with product/process improvement tools such as VSM, DFM, and DFA.
• Knowledgeable in capital appropriation implementation and management.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to motivate, develop people, communicate, listen, perceive, and be open-minded and able to learn from others.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt experience.
• Change Management.
• Organization/time management.
• Apply statistical methods to estimate future manufacturing requirements and potential.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Will lead a cross-functional project team on a project-by-project need.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• Regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
• Frequently required to stand; sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• Regularly required to walk and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and representative of that in a workshop environment.

Benefits

Benefit offerings to employees and their families include:

• Medical, Vision, Dental, and Basic Life Insurance.
• Available 401k retirement plan with company match of up to 6%.
• Paid time off includes: 9-11 paid holidays each year, two weeks’ prorated vacation as a new hire, and either personal time (non-exempt only) or state-mandated sick time.

Weekly Hours: 40