Work Location: Headquarters, Shawnee, KS
Department: Engineering
Job Type: Full-time, In-person
Reports to: Engineering Manager
The essence of this role:
- Living and breathing LEAN manufacturing and continuous improvement, focusing on root cause analysis, waste elimination, 5S, and development of sustainable solutions that lead to better, faster, safer manufacturing processes
- A leader in safety; helps to develop, implement, and sustain safety measures across the facility and is a key factor in making sure those efforts are sustained
- Assure product and process quality by designing testing methods, testing finished- product and process capabilities and creating sustainable results
- Team player; working with Product Technicians and all departments to make Schier a better place and product for its employees and customers
Typical daily and weekly activities of this role:
- Ideate, design, purchase, build, implement, train, and maintain custom tooling solutions using SolidWorks, CAMWorks, and in-house tooling or external vendors
- Develop and implement facility layouts for existing and new products in order to meet production volume requirements within the existing square footage
- Create, maintain and improve manufacturing plant floor SOPs (standard operating procedures) that reduce cycle times and reduce waste in value stream
- Create and manage tooling implementation schedules and general project schedules
- Attack line down situations, perform repairs, and return assembly lines to regular production
- Keep equipment operational and limit downtime by coordinating maintenance and repair services; following manufacturer's instructions and established procedures and requesting special services from external vendors
- Develop clear documentation of time studies and certification times and develop and implement sustainable assembly line balances and repeatable heartbeat assembly times
- Assess product conformance according to quality requirements, facilitate quality audits and coordinate corrective actions and work to continuously improve our quality documentation and testing methods
Required Qualifications for this role:
- Degree requirement(s): Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field
- Required years of experience: 2
- Certifications or licenses required: Certified SolidWorks Associate or equivalent
- Proficiency in Google Suite: Sheets, Docs, Slides, and Gmail
- Any other requirements (including physical abilities).
- For example: strong experience working in Excel, excellent communication and presentation skills, able to lift 75 lbs., etc.
Preferred Qualifications for This role:
Core technical skills
- Process design & optimization: Ability to design efficient manufacturing processes (lean layouts, cycle time, line balancing)
- CAD & drawings: Comfortable reading and creating technical drawings (SolidWorks)
- Manufacturing methods: Knowledge of machining (CNC and robotic), fabrication, rotational molding, injection molding, cast iron production, plastic welding, and general assembly
- Tooling & fixtures: Designing or specifying jigs, fixtures, and tooling to improve consistency and speed.
Quality & continuous improvement
- Lean manufacturing: Understanding waste reduction (5S, Kaizen, value stream mapping, root cause analysis, 5 WHY, fishbone diagrams, etc.)
- Process metrics: Tracking KPIs like yield, cycle time, downtime, scrap rates using Google Sheets at a minimum
Automation & systems
- PLC basics / controls: Understanding automation systems, sensors, and control logic.
- Robotics & manufacturing tech: Exposure to CNC, robotics, or Industry 4.0 tools is a plus.
- ERP/MRP systems: Understanding production planning and inventory flow.
Project & business skills
- Project management: Planning timelines using Gantt charts, coordinating cross-functional teams, managing budgets.
- Cost analysis: ROI for process improvements and CapEx purchases.
- Supply chain awareness: Working with vendors, sourcing, and logistics including external process onboarding or correction, quality control, and packaging.
Soft skills
- Communication: Explaining technical issues clearly to technicians, managers, and suppliers.
- Hands-on mindset: Willingness to be on the floor troubleshooting real problems with the production team; analyze, attack, and remove the root cause
- Collaboration: Working with design engineers, sales teams, operations, marketing, and accounting/finance.
What We Do
Schier is the leading manufacturer of grease interceptors for commercial kitchens in the United States. While you may have never heard our name, odds are great that you've walked over the top of one of our products—probably today. Over the last 20 years, we have earned the reputation as the product and knowledge leader in our field.
US sewers are aging poorly, and kitchen waste (food scraps and grease) is the leading cause of sewer problems: clogs, overflows, and capacity reduction. The resulting maintenance and repair costs taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Schier takes a unique and comprehensive approach to minimize this problem, and our dual commitment to environmental stewardship and fiscal prudence goes hand-in-hand. By blocking food waste from the sewer and preventing damage, we not only extend the life of sewers and save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars annually but also contribute to a healthier and cleaner environment.
Why We Do It
Our focus is the kitchen waste market, but our purpose is service to people - specifically our employees. Employees that are respected and taken care of are better equipped, emotionally and financially, to be of service to their own families, communities, and Schier’s customers. By serving one another, we hope to have an exponentially good impact on the world.
Working At Schier
We are thorough in the consideration and design of our jobs so that they are challenging, stable, and directly connected to company success. Our compensation approach is informed by our employee-service focus and balances time off, pace, pay, and benefits, including the unique wealth-building opportunity of our 100% ESOP structure. Our managers provide a transparent and information-rich environment that encourages employees to be more and more self-directed. The result is a culture that is found on the best teams—undramatic, good-natured, and highly successful.
You will fit our culture if your friends describe you as:
- Humble (we value this trait first and foremost)
- Self-motivated (our employees own stock in the company, we’re all entrepreneurs who pull our own weight)
- Low-maintenance (emotionally intelligent, great on a team)
As a member of our team, you will have a manager who:
- Gives clear directions
- Makes sure you have the necessary tools
- Acts with the greater good in mind
- Delegates appropriately
- Takes time to truly understand your role and how you can help the company
- Makes their expectations clear
- Communicates well
- Has effective meetings
- Meets one-on-one with you regarding your performance at least 3 times per year
- Rewards and recognizes your performance
Comprehensive Benefits Package:
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage for your entire family (including pets)
- 100% Employee Owned (Employee Stock Ownership Plan, also known as ESOP)
- Quarterly profit-sharing bonus
- 3% 401(k) safe harbor
- Paid holidays and PTO policy that promotes a healthy work/life balance
If you are interested in this position, please email your resume and cover letter to: [email protected]
Please note, Schier does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas or any other work authorization at this time. Any offer of employment with Schier is contingent on a successful criminal background check and drug screen. Applicants for our positions are considered without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
