Jobloria
Director of Industrial Engineering
Ives & Associates Inc
Location : Spring Grove, IL, 60081
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Date Posted : 1 December 2025
We are seeking a highly experienced
The Director will play a critical role in enhancing efficiency, cost effectiveness, and delivery performance by optimizing processes and integrating advanced manufacturing methodologies.
Director of Industrial Engineering
Department:Engineering / OperationsReports To:Chief Executive Officer (CEO)Direct Reports:TBD (Production Control, Process Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Corporate Managers, QA Segment Engineers, Flex Manager)
Position Summary
We are seeking a highly experiencedDirector of Industrial Engineeringto lead operational excellence, demand responsiveness, and scalable growth in a complex job-shop manufacturing environment. This role combines strategic foresight with hands-on leadership, ensuring production capabilities align with dynamic market demands while driving continuous improvement across multiple sites.
Key Responsibilities
- Stay ahead of industry trends in heavy manufacturing, evaluating emerging tools and technologies.
- Drive cross-site initiatives that improve enterprise-wide performance.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, technical curiosity, and operational excellence.
- Partner closely with Operations, Engineering, Sales, and Plant Leadership to ensure alignment.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
- Expertise in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, capacity modeling, ERP/MES integrations.
- Experience with shop-floor simulation, scheduling, and data analytics platforms.
- Strong track record in continuous improvement and cross-functional leadership.
- Project management skills for scope development, timelines, and deliverables.
- Excellent communication skills with ability to lead change across multiple sites.
- Deep understanding of job shop dynamics, including short lead times and custom orders.
Freqently Asked Questions
A Director of Industrial Engineering must exhibit strategic vision, adaptability, and strong communication skills to synchronize operations across multiple locations. Proficiency in fostering continuous improvement and driving cross-functional collaboration is crucial to enhancing production efficiency and meeting dynamic market demands.
Mastery in lean manufacturing and Six Sigma equips the director to systematically reduce waste and variation, leading to improved process reliability and cost savings. This expertise is pivotal in optimizing job-shop environments where precision and efficiency directly influence delivery performance.
In Spring Grove, IL, experienced directors can progress toward executive roles such as VP of Operations or Chief Engineering Officer, especially within manufacturing hubs. The region's industrial growth supports upward mobility through leadership in technical innovation and enterprise-wide operational excellence.
Unlike purely technical director roles, this position blends strategic foresight with hands-on leadership focused on process optimization, capacity modeling, and cross-site performance improvement. It demands balancing immediate production challenges with long-term scalable growth strategies in complex manufacturing settings.
Spring Grove's thriving heavy manufacturing sector creates strong demand for directors adept at integrating advanced manufacturing methodologies. The area's emphasis on short lead times and custom orders necessitates leaders who can navigate job-shop complexities and foster continuous operational improvements.
Certifications like Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and PMP are highly regarded in Spring Grove's manufacturing community. These credentials demonstrate advanced process improvement capabilities and project management proficiency, aligning with local employers' emphasis on efficiency and cross-functional leadership.
At Ives & Associates Inc, the director is uniquely positioned to lead enterprise-wide initiatives across multiple sites, emphasizing operational excellence and cross-departmental alignment. The role requires a blend of strategic and tactical skills tailored to complex job-shop environments, setting it apart from more narrowly focused roles elsewhere.
Ives & Associates fosters a culture of continuous improvement and technical curiosity, encouraging directors to spearhead cutting-edge manufacturing technologies and cross-site collaboration. Candidates can anticipate a dynamic environment supporting scalable growth and operational leadership.
In Spring Grove, IL, Directors of Industrial Engineering typically earn between $120,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience and company size. Market demand for skills in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and multi-site management often drives compensation toward the higher end.
Spring Grove, IL