Operations Engineering Manager - Ridgeville, SC

Our client is seeking an experienced Operations Engineering Manager to lead a team responsible for supporting manufacturing operations, resolving technical issues, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. This role combines people leadership, technical expertise, project management, and operational strategy.

The successful candidate will serve as a key partner to production leadership, helping improve equipment performance, reduce downtime, increase efficiency, and support a culture of accountability and operational excellence.

Client Details

Our client is an established manufacturer operating within a highly regulated environment. The company is committed to quality, continuous improvement, and investment in its people, technology, and manufacturing capabilities.

Description

Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of Manufacturing Engineers, Engineering Technicians, and Controls Technicians.
• Provide daily support to manufacturing operations and lead troubleshooting efforts during critical production events.
• Analyze equipment and process performance data to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and implement sustainable corrective actions to address recurring technical and operational issues.
• Drive operational excellence initiatives focused on improving efficiency, reducing waste, increasing yield, and maximizing equipment utilization.
• Partner with operations, quality, maintenance, and other cross-functional teams to improve overall manufacturing performance.
• Support capital projects, including equipment selection, specifications, acceptance testing, installation, and startup activities.
• Provide technical oversight for equipment qualification, validation, and requalification activities.
• Review and approve engineering documentation, procedures, work instructions, and operational change requests.
• Support investigations, corrective actions, and compliance-related initiatives.
• Manage project timelines, priorities, and engineering resource allocation.
• Develop team members through coaching, mentoring, performance management, and ongoing skills development.
• Communicate engineering priorities, project status, risks, and opportunities to leadership.

Profile

Ideal Candidate:
Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 15+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering within a regulated production environment.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing engineering or technical teams.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations, equipment troubleshooting, and process improvement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of structured problem solving, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience managing multiple projects, priorities, and technical resources.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

• Experience in pharmaceutical, dietary supplement, medical device, food, consumer products, or similar regulated manufacturing industries.
• Knowledge of FDA, cGMP, ISO, or related quality and compliance standards.
• Experience with automation systems, controls, instrumentation, sensors, and machine vision technologies.
• Working knowledge of SolidWorks and AutoCAD.
• Experience leading PFMEA activities and risk assessments.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Operational Excellence experience.

Job Offer

What's to Offer:

• Opportunity to lead a critical engineering function with direct impact on manufacturing performance.
• High visibility and collaboration with senior leadership.
• Exposure to capital projects, process improvements, and operational strategy.
• A culture focused on continuous improvement, accountability, and professional development.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.