Engineering Supervisor

Engineering Supervisor - Building 1

Location: Cleveland, OH

Business Unit: Team Wendy

About Avon Technologies: We are a world leader in protective equipment, with a reputation for innovative design, high-performance quality and specialist materials expertise. Our two brands, Avon Protection and Team Wendy, supply our respiratory and head protection portfolio to customers across the globe from our manufacturing sites in the UK and North America. With over 900 talented people our shared purpose and core beliefs are to be #FIERCE about Protecting Lives.

Purpose of Position: We are looking for a driven, creative, and analytical thinker with the main responsibility of ensuring continuous operation of ballistic helmet manufacturing value streams by leading our supporting engineers in assisting with identifying, troubleshooting, and resolving line stoppage issues. You will drive process stability and efficiency through root cause analysis and corrective actions.

The Engineering Supervisor (Manufacturing & Process) is the technical leader for defining processes, improving existing equipment, and driving quality and productivity within their assigned value stream(s). This role ensures day-to-day engineering support for single-piece flow manufacturing, aligned heavily with the Maintenance team to prevent line stoppages caused by poor processes or equipment issues. The position drives detailed work instructions, process definition, and controls in collaboration with the Quality department, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement through Kaizen and close engagement with operators and team leads. Additionally, this role supports New Product Introduction (NPI) launches, ensuring smooth integration of new products and processes into production lines. Priorities for this role are set in alignment with the Value Stream Manager and technical direction from the Engineering Director, ensuring alignment with departmental goals.

Essential Duties and/or Functions:

• Lead improvements to existing equipment to enhance quality, consistency, reduce scrap, and improve reliability.
• Ensure production lines operate without interruptions by addressing process weaknesses and equipment issues proactively. Partner closely with the Maintenance team to align on reliability improvement strategies and preventive actions.
• Oversee installation, commissioning, and qualification of new equipment for new products and process enhancements, ensuring compliance with DoD and internal standards.
• Develop and maintain detailed work instructions, process definitions, and control plans aligned with Quality requirements.
• Implement robust process controls to ensure consistent product quality and compliance with SQDIP priorities (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, Productivity).
• Drive Kaizen events and Lean initiatives to improve productivity, reduce waste, and optimize cycle times. Collaborate with Value Stream Managers to identify improvement opportunities and implement solutions. Promote 5S practices and a Safety-First culture across the value stream.
• Provide engineering leadership during NPI launches to ensure seamless integration of new products into single-piece flow lines. Validate new processes and equipment for compliance with quality, safety, and DoD standards.
• Work cross-functionally with design, quality, and operations teams to achieve successful ramp-up and production readiness. Supervise and mentor Manufacturing Engineers, providing technical guidance and development opportunities.
• Ensure engineering support aligns with operational priorities and production schedules. Foster agility, urgency, and proactive problem-solving in response to production challenges.
• Align priorities with the Value Stream Manager and departmental goals set by the Engineering Director.
• Work with CI specialists to ensure engineers are trained in lean principles, and continuous improvement tools. Ensure adherence to DoD security and compliance requirements for equipment and processes.

Required/Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering (Master's preferred).
• 8+ years of experience in process and manufacturing engineering within a high-volume or single-piece flow environment. Experience with Lean Manufacturing principles, Kaizen events, and continuous improvement culture.
• Demonstrated ability to respond rapidly to line stoppages and critical production issues. Familiarity with DoD compliance standards and secure manufacturing environments.
• Strong project management skills for equipment improvements and upgrades. Experience supporting NPI launches and integrating new products into production lines.

Desired Qualifications:

• Strong technical expertise in manufacturing processes, equipment reliability, and process control. Proven experience in Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and 5S implementation.
• Ability to lead root cause analysis and structured problem-solving (5Y, 8D).
• Excellent leadership and communication skills to supervise and mentor engineering teams. Strong sense of urgency and agility in responding to production challenges.

What We Offer:

• Flexible Schedule
• Competitive Compensation Package
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• 401k Matching
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Learning and Development Initiatives

Internal Relationships: Maintenance Team; Operations/Production Department; Facilities Management; Safety and Compliance Department; Engineering and Technical Support; Human Resources (HR); Procurement and Supply Chain; Finance and Budgeting; Senior Management. External Relationships: Vendors and Suppliers; Contractors; Regulatory Agencies; Industry Associations; Emergency Services; Consultants; Customers or Clients; Local Community.