Position Summary:

Lead with both vision and precision—driving innovation in forging and die design from concept to production. This position will serve as the technical cornerstone, orchestrating cross-functional collaboration between Sales, Forge, Metallurgy, Quality, and Manufacturing Engineering to ensure exceptional quality and efficiency. In this pivotal role, the manager will guide and inspire a team of 5–10 engineers, bridging shop floor realities with engineering strategy, while continuously optimizing performance and process. This position’s leadership will shape the future of high-impact manufacturing.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. In performing functions, duties or tasks, employees are required to know and follow safe work practices, and to be aware of Company policies and procedures related to job safety, including safety rules and regulations. All functions, duties or tasks are to be carried out in an honest, ethical and professional manner, and to be performed in conformance with applicable Company policies and procedures. In the event of uncertainty or lack of knowledge of Company policies and procedures, employees are required to request clarification or explanations from superiors or authorized company representatives.

• Drives continuous improvement by developing, evaluating, and refining advanced manufacturing methods, ensuring optimal efficiency and performance across forging operations. Provides on-the-floor guidance to ensure smooth, safe, and productive operations within forge units.
• Strategically analyzes workforce utilization, spatial requirements, and production workflows to design efficient equipment layouts and workspaces that enhance throughput and operational flow.
• Collaborates closely with planning and design teams to align product and tooling designs with production capabilities. Directs die designers in the development and refinement of tooling solutions based on real-time feedback, shop floor observations, and technical insights.
• Leads and oversees the estimation process, applying deep technical knowledge and cost modeling to support accurate quoting and resource planning.
• Engages with suppliers and vendors to define product specifications, procure equipment and materials, and ensure incoming products meet strict quality and performance standards.
• Develops accurate projections for production timelines, workforce needs, and associated costs, providing key data to inform high-level management decisions.
• Acts as a liaison between management, engineering, and production teams to coordinate manufacturing capabilities, schedules, and process requirements, supporting seamless production execution.
• Contributes to the creation of standardized operating procedures and detailed process documentation, including operation sequences and Standard Work instructions.
• Utilizes statistical tools and data analysis to forecast future manufacturing demands, identify potential capacity constraints, and support long-term planning.
• Conducts routine audits of inspection processes with operators, ensuring dimensional accuracy of dies and forgings and compliance with quality standards.
• Partners with operations leadership to identify and eliminate production bottlenecks, implement corrective actions, and ensure daily output aligns with established targets and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Monitors real-time production data and operational metrics to proactively address issues, support continuous flow, and drive accountability across teams to meet delivery, quality, and cost objectives.

Required Skills:

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of supervisors and employees of the organization.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability, statistical inference, geometry, and trigonometry. Ability to apply the concepts of fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• General knowledge of the techniques, hardware and software used to inspect forgings and dies.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, blueprints and specifications.

Experience & Education

• Bachelors Degree (BS) from a four year college or university in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Aerospace, or related field.
• 10 years of related experience and/or training
• Extensive experience in high level of forging and die design.
• CAD experience is highly desired
• A wide range of Engineering knowledge with an emphasis on mechanics, materials, machining methods.
• An extensive knowledge of the concept and standard use in part and process design with attention to potential lack of fill, defect formation, mismatch and die failure.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Shultz Steel LLC is an equal opportunity employer. The companys policy and practice is to provide equal employment opportunities and to assure those opportunities, without regard to age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions, gender, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation including gender identity or gender expression, religion, (including religious dress and religious grooming), mental or physical disability, legally protected medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, reproductive decision making, or any other status protected by applicable local, state or federal anti-discrimination laws.