Machining and Casting Engineering Director

The Machining and Casting Engineering Director is responsible for Powertrain manufacturing strategy feasibility and development for internal machining processes plus casting development for internal and external supplier processes. The selected leader will also collaborate with the design community for machining supplier process development especially when the supplier struggles with providing quality Machining and Casting Engineering Director will lead a diverse group of roughly 30 managers and 200 engineers in several countries and help the team problem solve issues related to process parameters capacity or timing issues and end item quality. While most of the focus on the job is related to aluminum machining and casting some additional processes will be maintained including steel powdered metal and cast-iron products. The Machining and Casting Engineering Director will be a member of the Powertrain Manufacturing Engineering operating committee which represents over 800 engineers worldwide and must be capable of personnel development compensation administration related work group representation and the rare disciplinary issue.

1. Strategy Development and Formulation:A primary responsibility is to support the development of the departments long-term strategy. This involves assessing the current organizational performance analyzing market trends and evaluating competitor activities to identify both opportunities for growth and potential threats. The preferred candidate would be tasked with formulating actionable strategic plans and road maps that align with the companys vision and objectives.

2. Research and Analysis:The preferred candidate will conduct in-depth research and analysis of operational effectiveness internal processes and stakeholder needs. He/She will gather and scrutinize market data customer behavior and competitive landscapes to provide insights that inform strategic decision-making. This analytical rigor helps in understanding the business environment and identifying areas for improvement.

3. Implementation and Execution:Beyond planning the preferred candidate is crucial in translating strategies into action. He/She would be responsible for planning implementing and managing proposed recommendations and projects. This includes aligning departmental goals processes and resource allocation with the overarching organizational strategy often by leading and facilitating cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution.

4. Monitoring Evaluation and Adjustment:Monitoring the progress of strategic projects and initiatives is a continuous responsibility. The preferred candidate would assess the effectiveness of implemented strategies by evaluating outcomes and key performance indicators (KPIs). Based on performance data he/she would make necessary adjustments to plans to optimize results and ensure alignment with business objectives. He/She would also identify and manage potential risks to strategic initiatives.

5. Communication and Stakeholder Management:Effective communication is vital for the Machining and Casting Engineering Director. He/She would present findings projections and recommended actions to senior leadership supporting their decision-making processes. He/She would also communicate strategic insights and plans to various stakeholders across all levels of the organization fostering collaboration and ensuring alignment. Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders is key to gaining buy-in and driving strategic success.

6. Continuous Improvement and Innovation:The preferred candidate is constantly looking for ways to improve existing business strategies and identify new business opportunities. He/She would contribute to fostering a culture of innovation developing new products services or business models that provide a competitive advantage and drive sustainable growth.

EsseRequirements

• Must have experience with a wide range of machining processes (aluminum cast iron and steel automotive components for engines transmissions and axles or equivalent) and experience with fixturing and durable and perishable tooling.
• Must have a proven record of balancing compressed timing investment efficiency high quality leading a wide range of personalities and other competing priorities.
• Should be capable of mentoring low and high seniority employees with value and support.
• Must have experience with heat treatment (quenching normalizing carburization induction hardening etc.) and understand potential pitfalls and countermeasures for quality and furnace equipment health.
• Should have firsthand experience with NMLCC (New Model Launch of Complex Castings) or equivalent process.
• Experience with core pin development for downstream machining.
• Working level experience trouble-shooting customer issues (Dimensional issues Noise/Vibration/Harshness and Contamination or Leakage).
• Must be able to cite examples of collaboration with design teams for improved design for manufacturing.
• Proven capabilities working with global manufacturing teams.
• Must have proven experience in Dimensional Control Plan development and leadership andevaluation of prototype results for geometry metallurgy and testing in both casting and machining (leak test CMMs bench gauges etc.)
• Production Area Manager or equivalent span-of-control experience in operations.
• Demonstrated ability for supplier selection and negotiations.
• Experience inmanufacturing-product design collaboration Process.
• Experience with Bill of Process/Bill of Design and Manufacturing Design and Process Standards.
• Strong skills in presentation materials for leadership.

Preferred Qualifications and Key Experiences

• Ability to understand and facilitate Magma casting simulation software or equivalent during casting CAE application for tool development for feasible prototype castings (wall thickness analysis draft analysis parting line locations fillet and radii analysis during solidification).
• Working level experience in a foundry is a plus.
• Familiarity with casting process development (fill time gate area required vent area required part orientation and gating and runner placement).
• Experience in casting post processing (de-gating trimming straightening leak testing machining).
• Ability to understand and facilitate CAE application for machine tool development and casting die design is a plus.
• Experience with casting various aluminum and cast-iron alloys is a plus.
• Experience with steel forgings processes and forging troubleshooting is a plus.
• Experience with Siemens Engineering tool suite and ability to cite usage for engineering efficiency.
• Working level experience trouble-shooting casting customer issues (porosity cold-shuts etc).
• Ability to Support Worldwide Casting Manufacturing Standards (WCMS) assessments of suppliers is a plus.
• Automotive component launch milestone and deliverable experience.

What Youll Receive in Return