Jobloria
Director of Industrial Engineering
Glassrecruiters
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
Spring Grove's manufacturing sector demands seasoned industrial engineering leaders, making competition for Director roles moderately high. Candidates with expertise in lean manufacturing and cross-site leadership typically stand out, as companies like Glassrecruiters seek professionals who can drive operational excellence amid evolving industry trends.
Certifications such as Six Sigma Black Belt and PMP are highly regarded locally, supporting advanced skills in process optimization and project management. Additionally, familiarity with ERP/MES systems aligns well with regional manufacturing firms' expectations, enhancing candidacy for Director of Industrial Engineering positions near Spring Grove.
Mastering lean manufacturing principles, capacity modeling, and data analytics platforms is crucial. Leadership in continuous improvement and cross-functional collaboration also distinguishes candidates, enabling them to manage complex job-shop environments and align production with dynamic market needs effectively.
Post-Director roles often lead to executive positions such as VP of Operations or Chief Engineering Officer. Demonstrated success in driving scalable growth and enterprise-wide performance positions professionals for broader leadership roles, especially within manufacturing firms emphasizing strategic innovation.
Industrial Engineering Directors focus intensely on optimizing manufacturing workflows, integrating lean methodologies, and managing multi-site operations. Unlike other engineering directors, their role demands balancing technical process improvements with operational scalability in custom job-shop settings.
Glassrecruiters must find candidates adept in both strategic foresight and hands-on leadership who can navigate complex manufacturing environments. Balancing technical innovation with operational demands while fostering continuous improvement culture poses a significant hiring consideration for this role.
This role uniquely emphasizes cross-site initiatives and integration of advanced manufacturing technologies within a job-shop context. Glassrecruiters values leaders who can align engineering, operations, and sales teams to drive enterprise-wide performance, distinguishing it from standard director roles focused on single-site operations.
Salaries typically range from $120,000 to $160,000 annually, influenced by experience, industry expertise, and leadership scope. Given Spring Grove's manufacturing landscape and the seniority of this role, compensation often includes performance bonuses aligned with operational improvements and strategic project outcomes.
While Chicago roles may focus more on corporate engineering strategy, Spring Grove demands hands-on leadership within manufacturing plants and job-shop dynamics. The smaller community often requires broader operational involvement, with an emphasis on cross-site coordination and practical process improvements.
Spring Grove, IL