Senior Industrial Engineer (3685)

Summary:

Develop and execute strategic and tactical plans to continuously improve the effectiveness of the department and overall operations. The Senior Industrial Engineer leads under the guidance of the Senior Manager Technical Service, the Industrial Engineering, technical training, automation projects, efficiency, and cost control. This role drives continuous improvement initiatives that enhance productivity and reduce costs.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Leads the Industrial Engineering function to drive productivity, establish labor standards, and support factory layout, line balancing, and efficiency improvements.
• Oversees and manages the use of GSD (General Sewing Data) to establish accurate standard minute values (SMVs), analyze productivity, and optimize labor efficiency.
• Develops cost analysis and method improvements to reduce waste and increase throughput.
• Ensures pre-production readiness through accurate BOMs, tech packs, work aids, layouts, and resource planning.
• Leads development and execution of technical training programs for operators and mechanics to improve skill levels, efficiency, and quality output.
• Supports Continuous Improvement (CI) and Lean Manufacturing initiatives to reduce downtime, improve quality, and drive cost reduction.
• Reviews and monitors production costs to identify opportunities to reduce non-value-added activities and improve line performance.
• Reviews constantly for opportunities of automation.
• Leads root cause analysis for recurring technical problems and implements sustainable solutions in collaboration with production.
• Maintains engineering change control and documentation standards across all production areas.
• Collaborates with HR to identify skill gaps, plan cross-training, and support operator certification initiatives.
• Analyzes production performance data and engineering KPIs; presents findings to leadership for operational decision-making.
• Supervises the Engineering, Technical Training teams to ensure performance and alignment with production goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position manages a cross-functional technical team, including Industrial Engineers and Technical Instructors. The Senior Industrial Engineer is responsible for hiring, performance management, and development of all personnel in these functions. This role ensures engineering effectiveness and workforce readiness through training.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related technical field required.
• Minimum of seven (7) years in Apparel Manufacturing with technical leadership experience in engineering, production support, or maintenance coordination.
• Demonstrated experience in Industrial Engineering, GSD Management, automation, operator development, and technical troubleshooting.

Language Skills: Must be able to read, write, and communicate effectively in English. Spanish is a plus but not required.

Mathematical Skills: Advanced skills in productivity calculations, percentages, costing models, and industrial engineering systems, including GSD.

Competencies:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Technical Expertise - Demonstrates deep knowledge of industrial engineering principles, GSD management, apparel manufacturing processes, and new product introduction. Technical skills apply to solving complex production challenges and drive continuous improvement.
• Leadership & People Management - Inspires, motivates, and develops diverse technical teams, including engineers and instructors. Provides clear direction, delegates effectively, and fosters a culture of accountability and growth.
• Strategic Thinking & Planning - Thinks long-term to align technical initiatives with company goals. Plans and manages resources, timelines, and budgets to ensure successful product launches and operational efficiency.
• Analytical & Problem Solving - Utilizes data-driven analysis to identify root causes of issues and implement sustainable solutions. Makes informed decisions balancing quality, cost, and delivery.
• Project & Change Management - Effectively leads projects and manages changes in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Coordinates cross-functional teams to meet deadlines and adapt to evolving priorities.
• Communication & Collaboration - Communicates complex technical information clearly to all levels of the organization. Builds strong relationships across departments, including Production and HR.
• Customer Focus - Understands internal and external customer needs and drives improvements to exceed expectations. Responds promptly and proactively to operational challenges.
• Quality & Continuous Improvement - Champions quality management systems and Lean methodologies. Continuously seeks opportunities to improve processes, reduce waste, and increase productivity.
• Consciousness & Resource Management - Manages budgets responsibly and implements cost-saving measures without compromising quality or delivery. Optimizes use of personnel, equipment, and materials.
• Adaptability & Resilience – Maintains composure and effectiveness under pressure. Quickly adjusts to changing conditions and guides teams through challenges.
• Ethics & Integrity- Acts with honesty and professionalism. Upholds company values and promotes an ethical workplace culture.
• Appearance/Personality: Professional, organized, dependable, detail-oriented, and committed to team success. Takes pride in their work and enjoys working with others.

Physical Demands - The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk for extended periods. The employee must frequently use hands to finger, handle, feel, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific visual abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Visual acuity required for close work and reading of documents or technical drawings.

Work Environment - Works in a manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, machine operation, floor vibrations, and high foot traffic.