Jobloria
Director of Industrial Engineering
Horizon Search, 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
Strong strategic vision combined with hands-on operational expertise defines success in this role. Candidates who excel in cross-functional collaboration, continuous improvement culture, and change management tend to thrive as Directors of Industrial Engineering, especially in complex manufacturing environments.
Professionals often progress into executive roles such as VP of Operations or Chief Engineering Officer. This trajectory leverages deep operational insights, leadership in manufacturing excellence, and broad process optimization experience gained at the director level.
Balancing short lead times, custom orders, and multi-site coordination demands agile decision-making. Directors must optimize capacity, implement lean principles, and align engineering with market fluctuations while driving continuous process improvements.
Certifications like Six Sigma Black Belt or PMP are highly regarded locally due to the region’s manufacturing focus. Familiarity with ERP/MES systems also enhances candidacy, as Spring Grove employers prioritize data-driven operational leadership.
Spring Grove’s market favors specialized manufacturing roles with emphasis on job-shop environments and short-cycle production. While Chicago offers broader engineering leadership opportunities, Spring Grove appeals to candidates skilled in hands-on process optimization and local supplier collaboration.
Horizon Search emphasizes cross-site operational excellence within complex job-shop settings, fostering innovation and scalability. The role uniquely integrates advanced manufacturing tools with strategic leadership, tailored to sustain growth in a dynamic industrial landscape.
The company encourages collaborative leadership by connecting engineering, operations, and sales teams. Directors receive robust backing to implement continuous improvement programs and advanced manufacturing technologies across multiple sites, reinforcing Horizon Search’s commitment to operational excellence.
Market data suggests annual compensation typically ranges from $130,000 to $160,000, reflecting the role’s seniority and specialized manufacturing expertise. Factors influencing pay include experience with lean methodologies, multi-site leadership, and proficiency in ERP/MES integration.
Expertise in lean manufacturing and Six Sigma is essential, as these methodologies underpin efficiency and quality improvements. Mastery enables the Director to lead transformative projects that optimize workflows and reduce waste across diverse production lines.
Proficiency with shop-floor simulation, scheduling software, and data analytics platforms is crucial. Additionally, experience integrating ERP and MES systems facilitates real-time production monitoring and decision-making, pivotal for enhancing manufacturing responsiveness.
Spring Grove, IL