Lean Manufacturing Engineer | St. Johns, MI

Salary Range: $76,000 - $116,000 depending on experience

Are you a seasoned professional with a passion for excelling in lean manufacturing engineer? The Pivot Group Network, a West Michigan manufacturing-focused recruiting group, is committed to fostering meaningful relationships and supporting community growth. We are collaborating with leading companies in St. Johns seeking Lean Manufacturing Engineers to lead and enhance their operations.

We are building our network of talent in this field across West Michigan and the broader manufacturing region Pivot Group Network serves. Our partner companies may or may not have an immediate opening for this exact role today, but we actively look for skilled professionals in the regions where they operate. If there is alignment now or in the near future, we reach out.

The Opportunity

We partner with manufacturers across St. Johns seeking Lean Manufacturing Engineers who want more than a lateral move. These companies hire intentionally, and we connect them with professionals ready for roles that fit.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean methodologies (e.g., Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping).
• Analyze manufacturing processes to identify waste, bottlenecks, and opportunities for efficiency gains.
• Implement and sustain Lean tools and principles across production lines.
• Lead cross-functional teams in problem-solving and process optimization projects.
• Develop and deliver training on Lean concepts and tools to manufacturing personnel.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the effectiveness of Lean initiatives.
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to design and optimize workflows and layouts.

Recommended Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (e.g., Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing) or a related technical field.
• 3+ years of experience applying Lean principles and tools (e.g., VSM, 5S, Kaizen, Kanban) in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and facilitate continuous improvement projects resulting in measurable improvements (e.g., cost reduction, lead time reduction, quality improvement).
• Proficiency in data analysis and problem-solving methodologies (e.g., Root Cause Analysis, A3).
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills to effectively collaborate with all levels of an organization.

Bonus Qualifications

• Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Experience with simulation software (e.g., Arena, FlexSim).
• Familiarity with Industry 4.0 technologies (e.g., IoT, AI, robotics).
• PMP or other project management certification.

Job Titles That Should Apply

Lean Manufacturing Engineer, Process Improvement Engineer, Continuous Improvement Engineer, Manufacturing Excellence Engineer, Lean Six Sigma Engineer, Industrial Engineer, Production Engineer, Operations Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Value Stream Manager

Why The Pivot Group Network

The Pivot Group Network was founded by manufacturing professionals who've been on both sides of the hiring process. Our clients are strategic—they partner with us because they want real insight into their roles and the people filling them, not a stack of resumes. We focus on match-driven placements built around what actually matters: Commute, Compensation, Culture, and Career trajectory. Learn more at https://www.thepivotgroup.org.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and connect with a firm that values fit over speed, we invite you to reach out at https://www.thepivotgroup.org. The Pivot Group Network offers resources to support your search—market insights, resume feedback, and interview preparation. As our partnerships grow, we'll reach out with opportunities aligned with your goals. Thank you for considering this approach to career advancement.