Company Description
H-P Products Engineered Tube Bends is a leader in tube bending and fabrication, offering solutions such as bending, end forming, welding, and laser tube cutting. The company also provides a wide range of readily available products, including standard elbows, bends, tubing, and installation accessories. Since 1948, H-P Products has built a reputation for quality, consistency, and customizability. With decades of expertise, we strive to deliver precision-engineered solutions tailored to meet diverse customer needs.
Position summary
We are a small, privately owned manufacturing company seeking a hands-on Industrial Engineer to improve how we plan, build, and measure our work. This role will be responsible for validating and maintaining production part times used for scheduling and capacity planning, while driving root cause analysis and process improvements across the shop floor. The ideal candidate is highly data-driven, practical, and collaborative—able to build trust with an hourly workforce and turn analysis into improvements that stick.
Key responsibilities
Production standards / part time validation
· Validate, establish, and maintain accurate production part times (routing/operation standards) to support scheduling and capacity planning.
· Conduct time studies (direct observation, work sampling, video/time capture where appropriate), document methods, and ensure standards reflect current best practice.
· Partner with Scheduling/Production to resolve time standard issues that impact promise dates, bottlenecks, and throughput.
· Implement a sustainable process for periodic review and updates of part time after changes in tooling, methods, product design, or staffing.
Continuous improvement / process optimization
· Map processes (current/future state), identify waste, and recommend improvements in layout, material flow, work methods, and standard work.
· Support line balancing, cell design, and capacity analysis to improve flow and reduce lead time.
Root cause analysis & problem solving
· Facilitate root cause analysis for production issues (scrap, rework, downtime, missed schedules, productivity gaps).
· Use structured problem-solving tools (5 Whys, Fishbone, Pareto, A3, PFMEA as needed) and track corrective actions to closure.
· Create simple, visual, shop-floor-friendly metrics and feedback loops that drive daily improvement.
Data, reporting, and cross-functional collaboration
· Analyze production data to identify trends and improvement opportunities (cycle time, downtime, OEE elements, labor efficiency, schedule attainment).
· Work closely with Production, Scheduling, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and Supply Chain to implement improvements and sustain gains.
· Train and coach operators and lead on standard work, time study participation, and continuous improvement concepts.
Required qualifications
· Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
· Demonstrated experience validating/setting labor standards and production part time in a manufacturing environment.
· Strong root cause analysis and process improvement experience with measurable results.
· Data-driven mindset with strong Excel skills (ability to analyze and present data clearly).
· Proven ability to work effectively with hourly teams; comfortable on the shop floor daily.
· Strong communication skills—able to explain the “why” and drive adoption without being heavy-handed.
Preferred qualifications
· Experience in small-to-mid-sized manufacturing (high-mix/low-to-mid volume is a plus).
· Familiarity with Lean tools (5S, standard work, Kaizen, value stream mapping, visual management).
· Experience working with ERP systems (routing, labor reporting, scheduling inputs).
· Basic statistical/process capability knowledge (SPC, Cp/Cpk) is a plus.
Success measures (first 6–12 months)
· Production part time/routings are validated, updated, and trusted by Scheduling and Production.
· Improved schedule attainment and capacity planning accuracy tied to updated standards.
· Reduction in key losses (scrap, rework, downtime, excessive labor variance) through Root Cause Analysis and sustained countermeasures.
· Strong working relationships with operators/leads and increased engagement in improvement efforts.
Work environment
· Shop-floor focused role in a hands-on manufacturing setting.
· Requires frequent standing/walking and direct observation of production processes
