Paint Manufacturing Engineer

Great Plains Mfg is seeking a Paint Manufacturing Engineer to join our Paint Division. The person who fills this role will have the unique opportunity to assist with the implementation of a state-of-the-art e-coat paint system, provide input, and help define the equipment/instrumentation needed for our new Kubota Construction Equipment manufacturing facility in Salina, KS.

This position works Monday through Thursday from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (4-day workweek).

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Develop, evaluate, and improve paint manufacturing methods utilizing knowledge of product design, materials and parts, production equipment capabilities, and quality control standards.
Analyze and plan work force utilization, space requirements, production workflow, and support design layout of equipment as necessary and workspace for maximum efficiency of painting equipment and processes using the Kubota Production System (KPS) principles.
Confer with planning and design staff concerning product design and tooling to ensure efficient production methods.
Confer with vendors to determine product specifications meets Kubota specs and requirements. Arrange for purchase of equipment, materials, or parts, and evaluates products according to specifications and quality standards with a high return on investment (ROI).
Estimate production times, staffing requirements, and related costs to provide information for management decisions.
Design hanging method for new parts coming to that paint system and improving on current hanger designs to reduce paint related defects and/or increase capacity.
Calculate & monitor paint capacity as production demand fluctuates.
Prepare & implement investment proposals related to the paint shop. (ex. Paint Booth improvements, waste water improvements, safety improvements)
Confer with management, engineering, and other staff regarding manufacturing capabilities, production schedules, and other considerations to facilitate production processes.
Identify and prioritize issues that impact the Customer, establish their root cause and provide findings and recommendations for business improvement.
Apply statistical methods to estimate future lean manufacturing process and requirements for return of investment potential.
Recommend methods for improving worker efficiency and reducing waste of materials and utilities, such as restructuring job duties, reorganizing work flow, relocating work stations and equipment, and purchase of equipment.
Develop or revise standard operational and working practices and observes workers to ensure compliance with standards.
Other duties may be assigned that require other qualifications, physical demands, and/or work environment.
Follow all Great Plains policies and OSHA safety regulations and wears prescribed safety and protective equipment.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree (B. S.) in Engineering or related field from a four-year college or university; four years’ related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience working as a Paint ME in a manufacturing environment is a plus
Lean advocate with demonstrated knowledge of manufacturing processes
Understanding of a variety of paint application equipment and systems
Excellent communication skills in order to respond to inquiries from other departments, regulatory agencies, or the business community.
Ability to effectively present information to management and public groups.
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Ability to safely operate automobiles, trucks, tractors and lifts.

At Great Plains Manufacturing, our people make the difference, making our company a great place to work and grow. If you are self-motivated, have a passion to succeed and value teamwork, we invite you to apply to join our team. For over 45 years, Great Plains Mfg, has been known as a world-class manufacturer of agriculture, farm and landscaping equipment in Central Kansas. Now a Kubota company, we have recently added a new construction equipment division. With over 2,300 dedicated employees, Great Plains Manufacturing continues its dedication toward innovation and professional growth, while maintaining our family culture and community values. Grow with us! Visit our Careers page at www.WorkForGPM.com.