Manufacturing Engineer (local candidates only)

Job description

Working at Freudenberg: We will wow your world! Responsibilities: Stabilize and improve manufacturing operations by owning process definition, standard work, and data accuracy while driving safe, efficient, and repeatable execution on the shop floor. Enable continuous improvement in safety, quality, delivery, and cost by applying Lean principles, structured problem solving, and performance management across consumer manufacturing operations. Responsible for the overall site which includes Injection Molding, Extrusion, Drill Fill, Assembly, and Warehouse. Develop, validate, and control manufacturing routings within ERP/MES systems, ensuring accurate representation of process flow, standard labor, and work center utilization to support scheduling, costing, and operational performance. Establish and maintain robust standard work, work instructions, and packaging instructions, identifying gaps, eliminating tribal knowledge, and driving continuous improvement through structured documentation and validation. Develop and present A3 problem‑solving report‑outs and monitor KPIs to drive visibility, accountability, and sustained continuous improvement. Develop and continuously improve assembly or general line layouts and create standard work layouts. Execute Lean manufacturing principles by leading and supporting initiatives such as SMED, Kaizen, and Gemba walks to improve process. Support line performance issues tied to cycle time, labor balance, or material flow by analyzing downtime, scrap, and rework trends and escalating structured countermeasures. Act as a technical problem solver during sustained performance gaps while supporting root cause analysis for internal and external quality issues and partnering with Quality on corrective actions. Drive cost-reduction initiatives related to labor, scrap, packaging, and efficiency losses, including providing data-driven justification for improvement projects and capital investments. Qualifications: Degree in Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering (technical background) strongly preferred. 2+ years of relevant experience, ideally working in a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) or similar manufacturing environment, including demonstrated progression in technical field. Familiar with manufacturing processes (ideally this includes injection molding and automation within factory and warehouse). Ability to work on-site in Aurora, IL, and travel approximately 10% (including global). Bilingual English / Spanish preferred. Working knowledge of SAP (or relevant ERP) and common manufacturing/quality methods (e.g., SPC) and comfort operating in a performance-management culture. Ability to build, monitor, and communicate KPI dashboards/metrics; comfortable using data and statistics to drive accountability and sustained improvements. Proven skills analyzing downtime, scrap, and rework trends and translating findings into practical countermeasures that improve cycle time, labor balance, and material flow. Strong root-cause analysis and corrective action experience, including partnering with Quality on internal/external quality issues and corrective actions. Experience improving line/assembly layouts and creating standard work layouts to support safe, efficient, repeatable operations. Hands-on experience supporting multi-area plant operations and driving shop-floor execution. Strong collaboration, conflict management, and influence skills with ability to partner cross-functionally. Solid understanding of safety and ergonomic principles; consistently models safe behaviors on the floor. The expected salary range for this position is $85,000-$105,000 USD annually. Compensation for this position will be determined by the candidate's qualifications, experience, education, and overall alignment with the role's responsibilities. ‎ ‎ The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Freudenberg Household Products LP (USA)