Manufacturing Engineer - AIB

POSITION:    Manufacturing Engineer

                        Alabama Industries for the Blind, Talladega, Alabama

ABOUT ALABAMA INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND BLIND (AIDB)

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) is the world’s most comprehensive education, rehabilitation, and service program serving individuals of all ages who are Deaf, Blind, DeafBlind, and multidisabled and their families. Founded in 1858, AIDB serves more than 36,000 infants, toddlers, children, adults, and seniors with hearing and vision loss throughout Alabama each year. 

Our services literally span a lifetime including five campuses in Talladega, ten regional centers located throughout the State of Alabama with programs that range from early and senior intervention, traditional and nontraditional education services in residential and outreach settings, and a manufacturing facility that is the state’s largest employer of adults who are Deaf, Blind, or DeafBlind. Our employees are among the organization’s most valuable assets and resources. We share compassion for leveling the playing field for all. Our mission makes AIDB a unique place to work.

The Alabama Industries for the Blind (AIB) is one component of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB).  AIB includes the manufacturing facility in Talladega, Alabama and Birmingham, Alabama along with the operations of five Base Supply Centers in two states, which are located on Anniston Army Depot, Fort Rucker, Maxwell Air Force Base, Moody Air Force Base, Redstone Arsenal, and Robins Air Force Base. 

Alabama Industries for the Blind (AIB) partners with the National Industries for the Blind and The AbilityOne Program. The AbilityOne Program exists to create and enhance employment opportunities for individuals that are blind and/or have significant disabilities as it promotes a workplace that provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job equal to those employees without disabilities. A reasonable accommodation will be provided to employees with disabilities, unless doing so would cause undue hardship. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Manufacturing Engineer role will be responsible for creating, developing and implementing manufacturing standards of operation by translating drawings, specifications and/or commercial customer requirements into product samples and/or production items by being proficient in the interpretation of drawings and specifications.  Identifying required equipment and optimum department layout and by performing basic production line loading to maximize efficiency for the manufacturing operations of Alabama Industries for the Blind (AIB). 

ABOUT YOU

You will play a vital role in the manufacturing operations as you will be a part of the AIDB team in producing high quality work. This position reports to the Director of Operations. 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of Bachelor Degree in Engineering from an accredited college or university OR

  Minimum ten (10) years of verified experience within an industrial sewing and packaging environment that includes operations management, product development management or manufacturing supervision. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience working with individuals who are Deaf, Blind, DeafBlind, multidisabled, or have other significant disabilities.

• Minimum five (5) years of prior work experience in apparel or textile manufacturing.

• Minimum five (5) years of prior work experience within an industrial sewing and packaging environment as an Industrial Engineer, Engineer Technician, Production Analyst, Production Development Engineer or have direct manufacturing supervision.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Skills & Physical Demands

• Technical Proficiency: Must possess and demonstrate computer skills in MS Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word) and Google Suite.

• Technical Knowledge: Utilize basic knowledge of manufacturing technologies, modern manufacturing practices with special emphasis and expertise in cut and sew operations, how to read and interpret engineering drawings, military specifications and drawings, commercial specifications and drawings, and manufacturing technologies.

Production Line Management & Quality Control

• Line Execution: Interpret military specifications and drawings, define operation steps and processes, manufacturing processes that maximizing employment opportunities for individuals that are blind and/or have significant disabilities, participate in the involvement of production development.

• Quality Assurance: Maintain acceptable levels of quality relative to all products.

• Cross-Training & Flexibility: Assist in identifying staffing requirements for current and new production lines.

• Process Improvement:  Proficient in performing time studies by establishing labor costs, identify and resolve manufacturing processes and bottlenecks.

• Logistics & Equipment: Identify equipment, accessories, and fixtures needed for production.

Employee Supervision & Workforce Development

• Daily Coordination: Determine detailed operational flow and layout of the manufacturing facilities.

• Accessible Support: Evaluate how to maximize employment opportunities for individuals that are blind and/or have significant disabilities by selecting equipment that allowed for increased efficiency levels. 

• Performance Management: Provide supervision to the employees assigned by coordinating with employees on their daily assignment to obtain the performance goals. Motivate employees effectively to meet and exceed performance expectations by empowering the employee to meet their highest potential. Complete an Annual Performance Evaluation Form for each employee.

• HR Collaboration: Work collaboratively with the Director of Operations and Human Resources Institute Partner to develop Performance Improvement Plans for employees not meeting expectations. Assist with recommendations relative to employees for employment and/or transfer decisions, the progressive discipline process, and recommendations for termination of employment that follow AIDB Policies and Procedures, Federal and State Law.

• Time & Attendance: Responsible for monitoring work schedules and attendance. Record employee timesheets by verifying the work hours, approving requests for time off, and reporting to the payroll department accurately by the deadline.

Compliance, Professionalism & Safety

• Regulatory Compliance: Understand, support, and follow the mission of the AbilityOne Program by remaining in compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements set forth in the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act. Conduct all business ethically and lawfully.

• Professional Attributes: Display organizational skills and the ability to exercise good judgment, and demonstrate a high level of integrity, confidentiality, and a good attendance record. Deal pleasantly and courteously with all of the AIDB Team.

• Safety & First Aid: Comply with all safety requirements. Complete and maintain Basic Life Support Certification within the first twelve (12) months of employment and maintain certification during employment.

• Cultural Sensitivity: Possess or develop an understanding of cultures and needs of persons who are deaf, blind, or deaf/blind, ensuring all actions and decisions demonstrate a respect for and value of persons with sensory loss. Attend Disability Sensitivity Training within the first six (6) months of employment.

SALARY:      $59,000 - $80,000    Scale A1 Rank 05   

The work schedule is based on 8 hours each day with a total of 40 hours each work week.  This is an exempt position, and is not subject to overtime of the Fair Labor Standards Act. 

AIDB Benefits Summary:

The annual employment period will be 260 days to include AIDB Benefits as established by the President and the Board of Trustees.

• Teachers’ Retirement System https://www.rsa-al.gov/trs/

• Supplemental Retirement Programs (RSA-1 and TIAA-CREF)

• Public Education Employees’ Health Insurance Plan https://www.rsa-al.gov/peehip/

• Term Life Insurance

• Leave Policy (Annual Leave, Sick Leave, Personal Leave & Paid Holidays)

• Employee Assistance Services Program

• Focus on Upward Mobility Program

• On-Site Daycare