Production Manager (Mechanical Engineer)

Position Summary

Knoedler is seeking a Production Manager with a Mechanical Engineering background to lead our Seating Assembly department. This is not just a "people management" role; it is a technical leadership position. You will oversee the assembly of complex, pneumatic-mechanical suspension systems, ensuring that engineering specifications are met with 100% accuracy.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Production Oversight

• Lead the final assembly of heavy-duty seating, focusing on the mechanical interaction between pneumatic air-springs, scissor-suspension frames, and ergonomic supports.
• Review and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) to ensure assembly teams maintain critical tolerances.
• Troubleshoot mechanical failures or assembly misalignments on the floor in real-time.

Process Engineering & Optimization

• Apply engineering principles (Lean, Six Sigma) to eliminate waste and reduce cycle times in the assembly and upholstery cells.
• Design and implement custom assembly fixtures, specialized hand-tooling, and pneumatic testing stations to improve throughput.
• Oversee the integration of ProBax™ technology and 4-way power adjustment frames, ensuring all mechanical linkages operate smoothly.

Quality & Structural Integrity

• Act as the final technical authority on the floor for quality assurance, ensuring all seats meet FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards).
• Lead the "Design for Assembly" (DFA) feedback loop, working with the R&D team in Grand Haven/St-Hubert to simplify product builds and reduce parts counts.
• Manage the calibration of torque tools and testing equipment used for suspension validation.

Operational Leadership

• Manage a team of 20+ assemblers and technicians, providing technical mentorship and performance coaching.
• Drive the production schedule through the ERP system, managing BOMs and labor routing to meet aggressive fleet delivery dates.
• Oversee workplace safety protocols, ensuring compliance with CNESST and internal safety standards.

Candidate Profile

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (B.Eng) or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience: 5+ years in a manufacturing leadership role. Experience with welded assemblies, pneumatics, or moving mechanical parts is highly preferred.
• Technical Savvy:
  • Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks/AutoCAD) to verify designs.
  • Strong understanding of kinematics and structural mechanics.
  • Experience with ERP systems and manufacturing data analytics.
• Language: Professional proficiency in both French and English (Required).
• Soft Skills: A "hands-on" engineer who enjoys being on the floor, solving physical problems alongside the team.

Indicateurs de Performance (KPI)

• Précision de Fabrication: Réduction des réclamations de garantie liées à l'assemblage mécanique.
• Efficacité de la Ligne: Optimisation du « Takt Time » de l'assemblage suspension-cadre.
• Amélioration Continue: Mise en œuvre d'au moins une amélioration majeure des processus mécaniques par trimestre.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent Pay: $60,000.00-$80,000.00 per year Benefits:

• On-site parking Experience:
• production management: 3 years (preferred) Work Location: In person