Manufacturing & Operations Engineer

Job DescriptionManufacturing & Operations Engineer – Manufacturing Company Chicago Metro Area | Full-Time | Operations Posted by Flying Horse Capital on behalf of a strategic partner About Flying Horse Capital Flying Horse Capital is a Dallas-based permanent capital firm that acquires and holds lower-middle-market founder- and family-owned businesses. We invest with no exit timeline, partnering with operators to build durable companies that last for generations. About Our Partner This search is being conducted on behalf of one of our longtime strategic partners, a firm that shares our philosophy. They invest in U.S.-based founder- and family-owned businesses and operate on a long-term hold model. They don't buy companies to flip them. They buy companies to build them, protect their legacy, and grow them the right way. Our partner has a long-standing track record of success, a disciplined approach to capital, and a deep bench of experience supporting leadership teams through growth.

Own production and assembly processes end to end: layout, workflow, standard work, and work instructions Improve throughput, capacity, and labor utilization; find bottlenecks and remove them Reduce scrap, rework, and cycle time through Lean and structured problem solving Specify and implement equipment, tooling, fixtures, and automation, backed by clear ROI cases Partner with quality on in-process controls and corrective/preventive actions Support new product introduction and design-for-manufacturability reviews Warehouse & Distribution Optimize warehouse layout, slotting, and material flow from receiving through shipping Improve inventory accuracy, cycle counting, pick/pack/ship efficiency, and order fill rate Work with purchasing and logistics on inbound/outbound flow, packaging, carriers, and freight cost Ensure the operation can scale with customer demand and on-time delivery commitments Continuous Improvement & Systems Build and track operating KPIs: OEE, on-time delivery, cost per unit, inventory turns, and safety Strengthen ERP/WMS processes and data discipline Modernize systems and reporting where needed without losing what makes the business work Support capacity planning, capital budgeting, and long-range operations strategy People & Safety Champion a safety-first culture and maintain OSHA and regulatory compliance Train and coach operators, leads, and supervisors on new processes and standards Lead improvement projects from scoping through execution; report results to leadership Your First 12 Months Learn the business deeply: products, processes, people, and customers Establish baseline KPIs across production, assembly, warehouse, and shipping Rank improvement opportunities by impact and build a plan with leadership Deliver early wins with documented savings, throughput, or quality gains Put standard work in place for core processes Build a continuous-improvement cadence the team can run on its own What You Bring Experience Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, or a related engineering field 5+ years in manufacturing or operations engineering, including hands-on assembly and warehouse/distribution work A proven record of measurable improvements in cost, throughput, quality, or safety Working command of Lean principles and structured problem solving (A3, 8D, 5 Whys) Experience in lower-middle-market, founder-led, family-owned, or privately held businesses preferred Lean Six Sigma certification, layout/CAD tools, or ERP/WMS implementation experience a plus Qualities Hands-on and low-ego; equally comfortable on the shop floor and in a leadership meeting A builder's mindset with a long-term orientation Strong with data; turns numbers into decisions Clear, direct communicator with operators, managers, and ownership Self-starter who thrives without heavy structure High integrity and genuine respect for the legacy of founder-built businesses Location Based in the Chicago metro area or willing to relocate; on-site role