Director of Manufacturing Engineering

Company: Astec Industries
Location: Chattanooga
Posted on: January 5, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Description BUILT TO CONNECT Astec is a global, environmentally focused infrastructure and manufacturing company of asphalt road building and aggregate processing. Our mission is to design and build the most innovative products for the industries we serve. Leveraging innovative solutions and technologies, we serve customers all over the world. ABOUT THE POSITION The Group Director of Manufacturing Engineering will develop and lead a multi-disciplined engineering team that drives world class manufacturing processes and systems across all IS Group production sites and value streams. As a critical member of the IS Group Functional Leadership Team, this role will be the functional lead for all Manufacturing Engineering resources and will play an important role in all manufacturing continuous improvement activates and strategies. The Group Director of Manufacturing Engineering will be responsible for the support of various sites and their respective leadership teams with focus on Safety, Quality, Delivery, Velocity, and Cost. Key Activities & Responsibilities /n - Together with the site safety leaders and management team, support corporate safety programs and drive safety into the design of the product, process, and work environments. /n - Ensures that best practices are developed and shared among group manufacturing locations, monitors progress to goals, and helps with tools, training, and resources as required. /n - Hire, manage, and develop a group level technical team of manufacturing engineers capable of executing to the strategic plan with innovation, engineering know-how, and proven core competence. Assists sites in vetting their ME candidates to the same standards. /n - Aids in defining and coordinating the group manufacturing engineering strategy at each location aligned with the overall operations objectives of the company, including optimizing site footprint, accelerating site automation, leading new product introductions, driving lean improvement project, etc. /n - Serves as team member of regular Project Management Office (PMO) reviews of projects mentoring ME's in project progression and preparation for site reviews. /n - Ensures adherence to Capital Acquisition Request (CAR) processes through preliminary review and input to CAR prior to submission for leadership approval. /n - Ensures the IS ME team establishes the ME requirements for successful Oracle implementation and following utilization. Provides Oracle training for site ME's and support of ME related Oracle implementation and utilization issues. /n - Serves as subject matter expert in the establishment of standard labor for site operations. /n - Manages and supports annual planning of large-scale capital investment and cost reduction efforts. Assists Director of Strategic Operations (DOSO) in establishing capex investment priorities for each site. /n - Guide, direct, and coordinate the implementation of process improvements and equipment upgrade/development projects to increase product quality, manufacturing efficiencies, production yields, and reduction of product costs. /n - Support the launch of new or improved product by fully supporting the new product development process. Ensure product is designed for manufacturability and optimal safety, efficiency, and cost. Be the primary interface between Manufacturing and Design Engineering departments. /n - Participate in product development reviews to ensure manufacturing engineering and manufacturing operations readiness for upcoming initiatives and products. /n - Be responsible for integrating a LEAN/CI approach, providing strong leadership to change the culture; implementing a manufacturing strategy which encompasses lean product development, lean manufacturing principles, and optimization of process/product flow. /n - Drive factory yield improvements through establishing systems/tools that enable effective data capture, process enhancements, design changes and early design input during new product development. /n - Assists the Production Planning & Control team to ensure that each site maintains systems and documents to govern the control of manufacturing processes used in the production of final assemblies and components. This includes hourly and daily measurement systems for monitoring the output of the processes. /n - Achieve manufacturing objectives as specified by the management team by promoting investigation, inventiveness, creativity, and solutions to various process, implementation, and material flow/control problems. /n - Communicate new ideas, technology advances, and opportunities to management team for review, evaluation, and action. /n - Support manufacturing in development of key KPI's and action planning to improve performance and achieve strategic goals. /n - Focus on reduction of cost, speed to market, and standardization of best practices. /n - Assist in future acquisition due diligence and business integration needs. /n - Develop cost effective tooling, fixtures, and test platforms to support capacity requirements. /n - Prepares and make presentations to individuals and groups. /n - Stays current with information and technology affecting the Manufacturing, Quality, Lean, and Continuous Improvement fields. /n - Travels to Astec facilities throughout the world as needed. /n - Maintain a professional image and demeanor around customers, employees and the general public. /n - Performs other duties as assigned. /n - Tracks and communicates ME KPI's to understand and manage team efficiency for continual improvement. /n - Supports Astec's core values, mission statement and vision statement. /n /n To be successful in this role, your experience and competencies are: /n - A minimum of 15 years of leadership experience in manufacturing, engineering, operational excellence, Lean, safety, and quality. /n - Demonstrated communication, collaboration, and leadership skills. /n - Proven manufacturing expertise in the areas of Mechanical Assembly, Weld, and Fabrication. /n - Experience leading Paint Operations, Electrical Assembly, Machining, and Warehouse Management highly desired. /n - Strong interpersonal skills to communicate project plans, goals and objectives and coordinate resources to complete projects within scope. /n - Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. /n - Must be able to solve problems at both a strategic and functional level. /n - Must be able to organize and manage multiple projects and priorities. /n - Must be able to plan strategically. And lead the execution of the strategy. /n - Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills are required. /n - Must be able to work satisfactorily as a team member. /n - Ability to effectively speak publicly and make presentations is required. /n - Ability to travel overnight and work long hours is required, although 40-48 hours per week is typical. Overnight travel and overseas travel may be required. Ability to obtain and maintain a Passport is required. /n - Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals is required. /n - A degree in Engineering or Operations is required. Advanced degrees highly desired. /n /n Supervisor and Leadership Expectations Manufacturing Engineering Manager, ME Supervisor, ME Technician, Manufacturing Systems Engineer et al. Our Culture and Values Employees that become part of Astec embody the values below throughout their work. /n - Continuous devotion to meeting the needs of our customers /n - Honesty and integrity in all aspects of business /n - Respect for all individuals /n - Preserving entrepreneurial spirit and innovation /n - Safety, quality and productivity as means to ensure success /n /n WORK ENVIRONMENT Manufacturing Environment Shop manufacturing environment exposures include exposure to moving mechanical parts, machinery, tools and equipment, vibration, fumes or airborne particles, motorized vehicles, welding and machining operations, outside weather conditions and exposure to the risk of electric shock. The employee may occasionally be exposed to varying levels of dirt, dust, toxic or caustic chemicals, very warm and/or very chilly temperatures. The noise level in the shop can be very loud at times consistent with an industrial assembly facility and may require hearing protection. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Astec does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person's veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.

Keywords: Astec Industries, Chattanooga , Director of Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing , Chattanooga, Tennessee