Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Why Badger Meter?
 

Badger Meter is a leading global water technology company, with a mission to preserve and protect the world’s most precious resource.  For more than 100 years, cities and businesses have utilized our innovative and trusted solutions to enhance operational efficiency and conserve water while making it more affordable, clean and resilient.  Just like every drop counts, at Badger Meter every employee counts because our contributions have a lasting impact on the world!

Here at Badger Meter, we believe that our approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion is the very foundation of our success. Our commitment is reflected in our core values, where we strive to create an environment that celebrates differences, encourages innovation, and ensures that every voice is celebrated and appreciated.  

We understand that a diverse team brings a variety of perspectives and ideas, which ultimately fosters creativity and excellence. Badger Meter provides opportunities for career growth and development for every employee by creating a supportive and inclusive workplace where they can make meaningful contributions while preserving the world’s most precious resource. 
 

What You Will Contribute:
 

The Manufacturing Engineering Manager will play a pivotal role in driving innovation and excellence in our manufacturing processes. This position involves leading a talented cross-functional team to achieve strategic company goals, managing complex projects within schedule and budget constraints, and implementing cutting-edge manufacturing technologies. The manager will be instrumental in optimizing manufacturing effectiveness, ensuring alignment with corporate SMART goals, and fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement. This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on our operations and contribute to the advancement of our manufacturing capabilities.

Main Job Duties:

Department Management:

• Lead the Manufacturing Engineering Department, ensuring operations align with budgetary and operational goals. Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Promote a culture of safety and environmental responsibility, ensuring compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Implement sustainable manufacturing practices to minimize environmental impact and support corporate sustainability goals.
• Oversee new product development projects, ensuring they meet defined product and cost parameters. Utilize project management methodologies to enhance project efficiency and adaptability.
• Investigate, analyze, and implement advanced assembly, testing, and machining technologies to enhance Badger Meter’s core competencies in product manufacturing, assembly, testing, and packing. Stay abreast of industry trends, including automation, and smart manufacturing.

Managerial/Supervisory Duties:

• Vision and Strategy: Clearly communicate the organization's vision and corporate strategies to department staff, ensuring alignment and understanding.
• Scope Management: Effectively control scope creep through strategic discussions with other department leaders, minimizing negative impacts on departmental and corporate goals.
• Talent Management: Oversee hiring and onboarding of direct reports, conduct performance reviews, set annual goals, and implement necessary corrective actions.
• Conflict Resolution: Address and resolve conflicts between staff members to ensure departmental objectives are met and maintain a harmonious work environment.
• Staff Training and Development: Provide comprehensive training and development opportunities to enhance staff efficiency and expertise. Engage team members in creating and committing to action plans that target specific behaviors, skills, or knowledge areas. Offer ongoing support and guidance to ensure continuous performance improvement and prepare individuals for new responsibilities.
• Compliance Management:  Ensure adherence to all applicable company internal control policies and procedures. Lead by example, promoting a culture of integrity and accountability.

Technical Competency:

• Engineering Proficiency: Demonstrate expertise in Mechanical Engineering principles and a solid understanding of Electrical Engineering principles.
• Innovation and Trends: Identify and integrate new trends, tools, and technologies to advance the department's technical capabilities. Maintain awareness of technological changes in related and unrelated industries to achieve technical leadership.
• Product Development: Develop product concepts using cutting-edge technologies and designs, considering current and future manufacturing capabilities and Industry advancements.
• Market and Technical Knowledge: Maintain a comprehensive understanding of market requirements, engineering principles, quality systems, and manufacturing practices. Act as a liaison between staff, other functional managers, and senior management to ensure alignment and effective communication.

Business Acumen:

• Goal Setting and KPIs: Define departmental goals and identify appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of the department. Utilize data analytics to track and optimize performance.
• Strategic Planning and Budgeting: Collaborate with site leadership to create the annual plan and budget for the Manufacturing Engineering department. Manage the team to meet annual objectives, ensuring alignment with overall business strategy.
• Financial Insight: Understand the drivers behind key corporate financial goals and manage the department to help achieve these goals. Use financial metrics to guide decision-making and strategic initiatives.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify and manage cost reduction and system improvement projects on an ongoing basis to enhance productivity and efficiency. Implement lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Financial Justifications and Risk Assessment: Prepare detailed financial justifications for projects with input from other department leaders. Assess the financial viability of projects versus project risks, ensuring sound investment decisions.

Leadership & Communication:

• Vision and Communication: Effectively direct and communicate with staff through regular meetings to provide updates on work activities and promptly resolve conflicts. Collaborate with other department leaders to proactively identify opportunities, address issues, and resolve problems, ensuring alignment and understanding across the organization.
• Team Empowerment and Engagement: Empower the Manufacturing Engineering staff by providing the necessary tools, resources, and support to drive the completion of their work activities. Maintain open communication with project managers to review project activities, ensuring full team member engagement and support. Foster a positive work environment built on trust, feedback, collaboration, and mutual respect.
• Project Management: Demonstrate strong project management skills by effectively planning, coordinating, and executing complex projects using various project management techniques.
• Foster Innovation:  Encourage innovative problem-solving by promoting a culture of continuous improvement and creative thinking, pushing the boundaries of conventional solutions to overcome challenges and achieve project goals.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or a related field required.
• Over 7 years of experience in operations management, leadership, and engineering concepts. Proven track record in driving continuous improvements, cost reductions, and process enhancements. Expertise in value-added/value engineering and comprehensive product knowledge is highly desired.
• Certified Leadership experience preferred.
• Six Sigma Green Belt preferred.
• Experience with AS 9100, ISO 9001, ISO 17025 certification process is preferred.

Working Conditions:

• Depending on the assigned department, an audiogram and vision test may be required.

#SP123

Competitive Total Rewards at Badger Meter:

• Competitive Pay

• Annual Bonus

• Eligible for Annual Pay Increases

• Comprehensive Health, Vision, and Dental Coverage 

• 15 days Paid Time Off 11 Paid Holidays  

• Two Ways to Save for Retirement: Badger Meter contributes 25 cents for every dollar you contribute to the plan, up to 7% of your eligible compensation.  In addition to the match, the company will also contribute 5% of your eligible compensation to your Defined Contribution account on an annual basis. Additional access to a certified financial planner to help ensure your money is working for you, at no cost!

• Employer Paid benefits including: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Basic Group Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, and more 

• Educational Assistance – Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250 

• Voluntary benefits including: Additional Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, Accident and Critical Illness coverage

• Health Savings Account (HSA) & Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. This company considers candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Applicants can learn more about their rights regarding equal opportunity in employment by viewing the federal "EEO is the Law" poster and the “EEO is the Law” poster supplement at http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm

Privacy Statement

The Employee and Applicant Privacy Statement describes how we collect, use, share, retain, and safeguard applicant information.  Please see the privacy statement on our website here.