Director, Advanced Manufacturing - Tooling & Equipment

This Role in Summary:

Whirlpool's newly formed Advanced Engineering Center of Expertise is seeking a strategic and experienced Tooling and Equipment Leader to drive innovation and efficiency in tooling operations. Reporting to the VP of Innovation and Engineering, this individual will be instrumental in realizing the Strategic Industrial Vision and NPI excellence. A deep understanding of digital design tools, cost engineering principles, and the latest advanced manufacturing technologies will be key to optimizing processes, minimizing rework and prototyping, and ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety. The role demands strong leadership and collaborative skills to effectively partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Strategic Sourcing.

Your Responsibilities Will Include:

• Develop and implement strategic plans and initiatives to optimize tooling and equipment operations, drive process improvements, and achieve organizational objectives.
• Collaborate with global cross-functional teams to ensure seamless coordination and execution of projects.
• Support the review of project proposals, plans and specifications helping determine resource requirements, project timelines, and budget allocations.
• Interface and influence internal and external stakeholders through a co-design approach to address technical inquiries, resolve issues and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Drive implementation of best practices through process optimization, new technologies, and advanced manufacturing techniques.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements related to safety, quality and environmental standards.
• Support the application of digital design tools to achieve the right level of detail in design outputs, minimizing rework and the need for multiple prototypes.
• Apply cost engineering principles and techniques to analyze, control, and optimize project and operational costs.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the latest technologies and digitization trends relevant to advanced manufacturing, and proactively apply this knowledge to improve processes and solutions.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• Minimum of 10 years of combined experience in industrial engineering and tooling and equipment implementation and optimization.
• Multi-site experience.
• Proven experience in operational excellence, with a strong focus on continuous improvement.
• Proven knowledge of co-design with suppliers.
• Demonstrated ability in effectively conveying complex information to diverse audiences.
• Well versed in current and emerging technologies and digitization trends relevant to industrial manufacturing.
• Strong financial acumen with a proven track record of managing budgets, forecasting financial performance, and ensuring projects meet financial targets.

Preferred Skills and Experiences:

• Global experience.
• Expert in metal stamping and automation.
• Proficiency in plastics/injection molding.
• Certification in project management (PMP), Lean Six Sigma, or relevant certifications in tooling or advanced manufacturing technologies.

What We Offer:

Generous benefits package, Whirlpool employee discount, fitness and educational reimbursement programs, kitchenettes, and more! Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor locations: Beautiful, recently renovated office space, free coffee, biking/walking trails, and access to The Eddy - Early Childhood Center (depending upon availability - additional costs required).

Brands That Innovate: We are focused on innovation that inspires consumers, and we design and build our products around what families and households really want and need. Sure, we’re designing and manufacturing some of the “smartest”, most technologically advanced appliances in the world. But what gets us most excited is empowering our people with the freedom to shape their futures while challenging themselves every day to make our customers’ lives better. For more than 110 years, with our products, we have helped families take care of loved ones. Improving life at home is why we exist and why we are passionate about what we do.

Additional Information:

Whirlpool’s Ways of Working -
Our goal is to provide an environment that helps you bring your best to Whirlpool every day. While employees in this role work in-person Monday through Friday. We offer flexibility and industry-leading time-off benefits that will help you balance what’s important at work and at home, including:

• Always On Flexibility - You will have the autonomy to manage personal, family, and outside-of-work commitments as needed.
• Two-Week Work from Anywhere - Minimum of one-week increments for a total of two weeks per year.
• Sabbatical - Four weeks paid leave after every five years of service.