Director, Manufacturing Engineering & Lean Enterprise

New Flyer is North America’s heavy-duty transit bus leader, providing sustainable mobility solutions through transit buses, technology, and infrastructure. New Flyer is a subsidiary of NFI Group, a leader in propulsion agnostic bus and coach mobility solutions. Building on its 90+ year legacy of innovation, New Flyer is the only manufacturer offering all three types of zero-emission transit buses, with over 1,900 zero-emission buses delivered to date. New Flyer actively supports over 35,000 heavy-duty transit buses currently operated by approximately 500 agencies.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Director, Manufacturing Engineering & Lean Enterprise is responsible for leading manufacturing engineering, make/buy strategy, and lean transformation initiatives; with scope encompassing all New Flyer and MCI fabrication operations in North America. This role drives operational excellence, manufacturing readiness, and strategic growth by aligning engineering, operations, and sourcing functions to deliver high-quality products efficiently and competitively.

WHY JOIN US

• Be a part of a team leading the world’s electrification of mass mobility
• Competitive wages and comprehensive benefit package with immediate benefit eligibility
• Paid holidays and vacation
• Registered pension plan with generous company match
• Passionate about creating a better product, a better workplace, and a better world
• Inclusive workplace culture that values and empowers team members.
• On-the-job training in a continuous learning environment (we invested $15.9 million in 2024)
• Advancement opportunities within our family of companies
• We are proudly named one of Manitoba’s Top 25 employers

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Lead manufacturing engineering teams across multiple fabrication locations in Canada and the U.S., ensuring alignment with strategic and operational goals

Establish and drive make vs. buy strategy in collaboration with operations, sourcing, and process planning teams

Lead the Lean Enterprise function and advance the operational excellence (OpEx) journey across all fabrication sites

Develop and co-manage manufacturing readiness processes to ensure consistent, high-quality production outcomes

Oversee facility-level strategic initiatives, including capital projects and continuous improvement programs

Define and execute capital investment, equipment modernization, and technology roadmaps

Contribute to the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and support long-term strategic planning initiatives

Develop and manage departmental budgets, including capital, labor, and operational expenses

Partner with Finance and senior leadership to support financial performance, including cost management, P&L oversight, and strategic initiatives such as footprint optimization and M&A

Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards across all areas of responsibility

Drive continuous improvement through preventative maintenance and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) programs to reduce downtime and improve reliability

Foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-performance team environment that drives engagement and results

Requirements

WHAT YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering or related field; P.Eng., CET, or equivalent designation preferred
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment
• Strong expertise in manufacturing engineering, lean manufacturing, and operational excellence
• Proven ability to lead large, multi-site teams and complex initiatives
• Experience with make/buy strategy, capital planning, and production optimization
• Demonstrated financial acumen, including budgeting and cost management
• Strong project management and strategic planning capabilities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Lean/Six Sigma or related continuous improvement certification considered an asset
• Proficiency with MS Office and standard business systems

Physical & Workplace Requirements

• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments, including walking, standing, and sitting for extended periods
• Comfortable working in industrial environments with appropriate PPE
• Up to 20% travel within North America; must be eligible to travel to Canada and the U.S.

Benefits

OUR WHY: We exist to move people. Our mission is to design, deliver, and support market-leading bus and motorcoach solutions that are safe, accessible, efficient, and reliable. Our values—safety, quality, integrity, accountability, teamwork, and sustainability—are at the core of everything we do. NFI Group | We Move People - YouTube

Leveraging 450 years of combined experience, NFI offers a wide range of propulsion-agnostic bus and coach platforms, including market leading electric models. Through its low- and zero-emission buses and coaches, infrastructure, and technology, NFI meets today’s urban demands for scalable smart mobility solutions. Together, NFI is enabling more livable cities through connected, clean, and sustainable transportation. News and information is available at www.nfigroup.com, www.newflyer.com, www.mcicoach.com, nfi.parts, www.alexander-dennis.com, arbocsv.com, and carfaircomposites.com.

New Flyer is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity, ensure equitable experiences and are committed to creating an inclusive environment reflective of the communities we operate. Accommodations are available at all stages of the recruitment process, at the candidates’ request.

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New Flyer is North America’s heavy-duty transit bus leader and offers the most advanced product line under the Xcelsior® and Xcelsior CHARGE® brands. It also offers infrastructure development through NFI Infrastructure Solutions™, a service dedicated to providing safe, sustainable, and reliable charging and mobility solutions. New Flyer actively supports over 35,000 heavy-duty transit buses (New Flyer, NABI, and Orion) currently in service, of which 8,600 are powered by electric motors and battery propulsion and 1,900 are zero-emission. Further information is available at www.newflyer.com.

New Flyer is a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (NFI), one of the world’s largest bus and coach manufacturers. Leveraging 450 years of combined experience, NFI is leading the electrification of mass mobility around the world. With zero-emission buses and coaches, infrastructure, and technology, NFI meets today’s urban demands for scalable smart mobility solutions. Together, NFI is enabling more livable cities through connected, clean, and sustainable transportation.