Grand Rapids Chair Company · 5 hours ago
Manufacturing Engineer
Byron Center, MI
Full-time
Onsite
Mid LevelGrand Rapids Chair Company is focused on producing high-quality furniture products, and they are seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to improve manufacturing processes. This role involves designing and implementing robust manufacturing processes, ensuring quality standards are met, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
E-CommerceFood and BeverageManufacturingRetail
Responsibilities
Design, document, and implement robust manufacturing processes for furniture components and assemblies (wood, metal, upholstery, finishing, packaging)
Develop standard work, work instructions, routings, and labor standards to ensure consistent, repeatable output
Define optimal process sequences, layouts, tooling, fixtures, and material flow to support safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives
Lead new product launch (NPL) from a manufacturing perspective, ensuring processes are production-ready before launch
Establish and maintain process controls (control plans, poka-yoke, inspection points, in-process checks, capability targets) to ensure output meets quality requirements
Ensure all processes comply with internal quality systems, documented standards, and customer requirements
Monitor key process indicators (defect rates, first-pass yield, scrap, rework, cycle time) and take corrective action when performance deviates from standards
Partner with Quality to ensure that quality is built into the process—not inspected in at the end
Own the performance of assigned processes, ensuring they consistently produce good quality products at the required rate and cost
Analyze production data to identify variation, instability, or waste and lead structured improvement efforts
Support capacity planning, line balancing, and takt-based production planning to meet demand
Lead and facilitate structured problem-solving activities using A3, 5-Why, Fishbone, PFMEA, and root cause analysis
Investigate defects, downtime, safety incidents, and quality escapes; implement permanent corrective actions
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce scrap, rework, labor inefficiencies, and process variation
Act as a technical problem solver on the shop floor, supporting supervisors and operators in resolving daily production issues
Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, Maintenance, and Product Development to optimize end-to-end process performance
Provide manufacturing input on product design for manufacturability, assembly, packaging, and serviceability
Support training supervisors and operators on new or revised processes and standards
Support maintenance with equipment troubleshooting, providing guidance with PM creation and spare part identification of new and existing equipment
Strong ownership of processes and equipment within your valuestream
Qualification
Required
Design, document, and implement robust manufacturing processes for furniture components and assemblies (wood, metal, upholstery, finishing, packaging)
Develop standard work, work instructions, routings, and labor standards to ensure consistent, repeatable output
Define optimal process sequences, layouts, tooling, fixtures, and material flow to support safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives
Lead new product launch (NPL) from a manufacturing perspective, ensuring processes are production-ready before launch
Establish and maintain process controls (control plans, poka-yoke, inspection points, in-process checks, capability targets) to ensure output meets quality requirements
Ensure all processes comply with internal quality systems, documented standards, and customer requirements
Monitor key process indicators (defect rates, first-pass yield, scrap, rework, cycle time) and take corrective action when performance deviates from standards
Partner with Quality to ensure that quality is built into the process—not inspected in at the end
Own the performance of assigned processes, ensuring they consistently produce good quality products at the required rate and cost
Analyze production data to identify variation, instability, or waste and lead structured improvement efforts
Support capacity planning, line balancing, and takt-based production planning to meet demand
Lead and facilitate structured problem-solving activities using A3, 5-Why, Fishbone, PFMEA, and root cause analysis
Investigate defects, downtime, safety incidents, and quality escapes; implement permanent corrective actions
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce scrap, rework, labor inefficiencies, and process variation
Act as a technical problem solver on the shop floor, supporting supervisors and operators in resolving daily production issues
Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, Maintenance, and Product Development to optimize end-to-end process performance
Provide manufacturing input on product design for manufacturability, assembly, packaging, and serviceability
Support training supervisors and operators on new or revised processes and standards
Support maintenance with equipment troubleshooting, providing guidance with PM creation and spare part identification of new and existing equipment
Strong ownership of processes and equipment within your valuestream
Benefits
Dog-friendly office environment!
Company
Grand Rapids Chair Company
Grand Rapids Chair Company is a furniture company that designs and produces restaurant furniture.
Founded in 1991
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Greg Bremer
CFO
Company data provided by crunchbase