Technical Optimization Manufacturing Specialist

The Technical Optimization Manufacturing Specialist will focus on improving the manufacturability, efficiency, and consistency of existing products across Tiffany & Co.’s supplier network and internal manufacturing operations. The successful candidate will bring strong expertise in precision machining, tooling, fixturing, CNC manufacturing, stamping, forming, automation and manufacturing process development. Jewelry industry experience is not required; candidates from other high-precision manufacturing industries are encouraged. 

Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and external suppliers, this role will evaluate current production methods and develop practical, production-ready solutions that improve cycle time, labor, material utilization, process capability, quality, and overall product cost. The Specialist will provide hands-on support at manufacturing locations throughout Europe, leading tooling and process trials, troubleshooting, validation, qualification, and implementation.

Location: This role offers flexibility to be based in either France or Italy.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead technical manufacturing assessments of legacy products to identify opportunities for cost reduction, improved manufacturability, increased productivity, and greater process consistency.

• Evaluate existing machining sequences, tooling, fixtures, workholding, tolerances, material usage, labor content, and process capability to identify root causes and improvement opportunities.

• Develop improved manufacturing concepts and requirements, with particular emphasis on machining, tooling, fixtures, workholding strategies, automation and process optimization.

• Apply knowledge of CNC machining, multi-axis manufacturing, cutting strategies, tooling selection, datum structures, tolerances, and process sequencing to solve complex manufacturing challenges.

• Provide hands-on technical support at supplier and internal manufacturing locations throughout Tiffany supplier network.

• Support tooling development, manufacturing trials, troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, process validation, and qualification through production implementation.

• Confirm that optimized methods are repeatable, scalable, appropriately controlled, and capable of meeting Engineering and Quality requirements.

• Review drawings, CAD data, specifications, inspection results, and manufacturing documentation to identify technical risks and validate proposed solutions.

• Lead technical workstreams from opportunity definition through trial, approval, documentation, and production implementation.

• Establish clear project plans, technical requirements, responsibilities, timing, risks, and success criteria for each optimization initiative.

• Coordinate suppliers and internal partners, escalate barriers, and maintain momentum against cost, quality, and timing objectives.

• Serve as a subject matter expert and introduce applicable best practices from jewelry, watchmaking, aerospace, medical device, automotive, and other precision-manufacturing industries.

• Act as the technical liaison between Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Strategic Sourcing, and external suppliers, translating optimization objectives into practical manufacturing solutions.

• Communicate technical findings, tradeoffs, recommendations, risks, and validation results clearly to both shop-floor teams and leadership.

• Create and maintain clear documentation for tooling, fixtures, manufacturing methods, process parameters, trials, approvals, and validated improvements.

• Build productive supplier relationships while constructively challenging existing manufacturing assumptions and driving accountability for results.

• Work safely at all times by consistently following safe work procedures for your position, as well as all safety procedures required at your worksite. Promptly report all incidents and safety issues to your supervisor.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.

• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, automation, precision machining, tooling, or process development, including direct shop-floor problem solving.

• Strong knowledge of CNC machining and multi-axis manufacturing, cutting tools, fixtures, workholding, machining strategy, tolerances, datum structures, GD&T, and metrology.

• Demonstrated experience developing or improving tooling and manufacturing processes and supporting trials, validation, qualification, and production implementation.

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, CAD data, technical specifications, inspection results, and process documentation.

• Strong project-management, analytical, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

• Ability to work independently across multiple manufacturing sites and cultures and to influence partners without direct authority.

• Fluency in English and willingness to travel regularly throughout Europe.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in jewelry, watchmaking, aerospace, medical devices, automotive, precision components, or another industry involving tight tolerances, complex geometry, and demanding surface-quality requirements.

• Working knowledge of CAD/CAM software and CNC programming sufficient to evaluate and challenge manufacturing strategies.

• Experience working with external suppliers and distributed, cross-functional teams.

• Additional European-language proficiency.