Grimco is a family-owned, $1.5 billion revenue leader in sign supply distribution with manufacturing operations across North America, the UK, Europe, and Canada. Our commitment to innovation and operational excellence drives our mission to deliver cutting-edge solutions to the sign industry.
Work Authorization: Candidates must be authorized to work in the
United States. Grimco does not provide employment visa
sponsorship (e.g., H-1B, O-1, TN) and will not do so in the future
for this position.
The Industrial Engineer I will support US Manufacturing Operations by establishing foundational Industrial Engineering systems, work measurement, capacity analysis, material flow, and continuous improvement methods. The role will initially focus heavily on the Owensville manufacturing operation, where the engineer will perform on-site studies and develop fact-based recommendations to improve productivity, flow, labor utilization, WIP, and process capability. The position is based at the Sunset Hills corporate office and reports directly to the Director, US Manufacturing Operations
• Conduct Time & Motion Studies, work sampling, cycle-time analysis, and labor-content studies across manufacturing processes.
• Develop Standard Work, process maps, capacity models, staffing models, and documented operating methods. • Analyze WIP, material flow, batch sizes, travel distance, handling, bottlenecks, and opportunities to reduce non-value-added activity.
• Support Value Stream Mapping and identify opportunities for improved flow, line balancing, material presentation, and point-of-use design.
• Lead and document practical Kaizen activities focused on low-cost, high-impact process improvements.
• Establish measurable baselines before recommending automation or CAPEX solutions and support post-implementation validation.
• Apply basic statistical methods, SPC concepts, and Six Sigma problem-solving tools to manufacturing improvement projects.
• Support development of visual management and short-interval performance metrics such as Target vs. Actual vs. Gap.
• Work directly with operators, supervisors, Plant Management, Maintenance, Quality, and other functions to validate observations and implement improvements.
• Travel frequently to Owensville, MO, particularly during the initial diagnostic and implementation phases, and support other US manufacturing operations as required.
• Prepare concise technical analyses and recommendations for the Director, US Manufacturing Operations.
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 0–2 years of relevant manufacturing experience; strong recent graduates with meaningful internship/co-op experience are encouraged to apply.
• Foundational knowledge of work measurement, Time & Motion Studies, cycle time, takt time, throughput, bottleneck analysis, and line balancing.
• Basic knowledge of statistics, variation, SPC, and Six Sigma concepts.
• Basic knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, waste identification, Kaizen, Standard Work, and Value Stream Mapping.
• Understanding of WIP, manufacturing flow, material handling, and basic capacity analysis.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and ability to organize, analyze, and communicate operational data.
• Ability and willingness to spend significant time on the manufacturing floor and travel frequently to Owensville, MO.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with frontline employees and leadership.
Preferred Qualifications
• Internship, co-op, or project experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to DMAIC, A3 problem solving, root-cause analysis, or structured continuous improvement.
• Lean or Six Sigma training/certification; Green Belt is preferred but not required.
• Experience with Power BI, data visualization, or similar analytical tools.
• Exposure to fixture/jig design, process layout, ergonomics, or Design for Manufacturing concepts.
• Experience conducting academic or industrial work-measurement studies.
This position is intended to build Industrial Engineering capability within US Manufacturing Operations rather than serve as a single-site support role. The initial priority will be establishing an Industrial Engineering baseline at the Owensville operation through process mapping, work measurement, Standard Work, capacity modeling, WIP/flow analysis, and validation of quick-win opportunities. The engineer may subsequently support similar studies and improvement initiatives across other US manufacturing operations.
Physical Requirements
Ability to work in manufacturing environments for extended periods; walk and stand on production floors; observe and measure manual and machine processes; use standard work-measurement equipment; comply with required PPE and safety rules; and travel by vehicle and/or air as business needs require. Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with applicable law.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline
- 0-2 years of relevant manufacturing experience
- Foundational knowledge of work measurement, time and motion studies, cycle time, takt time, throughput, bottleneck analysis, and line balancing
- Basic knowledge of statistics, variation, SPC, and Six Sigma concepts
- Basic knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, waste identification, Kaizen, Standard Work, and Value Stream Mapping
- Understanding of WIP, manufacturing flow, material handling, and basic capacity analysis
- Strong Microsoft Excel skills and ability to organize, analyze, and communicate operational data
- Ability and willingness to spend significant time on the manufacturing floor and travel frequently to Owensville, Missouri
- Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with frontline employees and leadership
- Internship, co-op, or project experience in a manufacturing environment
- Exposure to DMAIC, A3 problem solving, root-cause analysis, or structured continuous improvement
- Lean or Six Sigma training or certification, with Green Belt preferred
- Experience with Power BI, data visualization, or similar analytical tools
- Exposure to fixture or jig design, process layout, ergonomics, or Design for Manufacturing concepts
- Experience conducting academic or industrial work-measurement studies
What We Do
Grimco was founded in 1875 in St. Louis, Missouri. Today we have over 50 locations across the United States, Canada, and the U.K. We focus on the distribution of quality products and providing excellent service to the sign industry. Our offering of sign supplies includes substrates, traffic signs, digital print media, vehicle wrap films, sign vinyl, banner materials, sign frames, screen/garment, LEDs and electrical accessories, grand format printers, inks, software, and more. With locations all across North America, we are locally stocked with ample inventory for our customer's convenience. Grimco is known for carrying the best products in the industry from our trusted vendors, including 3M™, Avery Dennison®, ORAFOL®, Clear focus, Sihl, General Formulations. We are also an authorized equipment reseller for HP, EPSON, Graphtec, Royal Sovereign, Fletcher, and Esko. Following thorough industry research, Grimco introduced to the market exclusive product lines such as Briteline, Hanley LEDs, MAXMETAL, Ion PVC, and Rad Grafix. Grimco strives to better service our customers across the Americas through further geographic growth, where a location is never too far away. With around the clock convenience, customers can order online 24/7 through our websites, with added benefits like precise delivery times, pricing, and product availability. We will also continue to represent the highest quality and most technologically advanced products available, always at a great value. The brands you know, from a company you can trust. Grimco has been voted "Vendor of the Year" by our customers in the FASTSIGNS, Signs by Tomorrow, and Signs Now nationwide franchise networks. We believe in selling within the industry to sign-makers and never compete with our customers. We will continue to employ the industry's most knowledgeable and skilled employees with experience to help grow our business. We look forward to serving our customers and their businesses in the future.
