The Requirements

To be a good fit for this opportunity you will have:

• A bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering or other related field.
• At least two years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in assembly manufacturing and ideally in high mix, low volume operations. Quick question for you - click here
• Solid problem solving skills and the ability to analyze issues to root causes and then implement solutions.
• Experience with continuous improvement is strongly preferred.
• Computer proficiency.

Just as important as your experience and skills will be the following characteristics and competencies:

• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to influence and motivate others.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• A hands-on approach and action orientation.
• The ability to achieve goals independently as well as to contribute to team efforts.
• Proven time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple simultaneous activities and establish priorities.

The Role

We create highly configurable, personalized dental delivery systems (chairs, lights, cabinets, etc.) that we customize to specifications so our customers can design their dental practices to work exactly the way they want. We have divided our manufacturing facility into specific areas and you will join the vertically integrated "Iron" factory, so called because we produce larger metal-based products here, including dental chairs, lights, delivery units, and sterilizers. 

Reporting to the Iron Focused Factory Manager, you will join a team that includes other Manufacturing Engineers (MEs) as well as Supervisors and Material Planners. You'll also have opportunities to interact with MEs in our other factories.

You'll assume "ownership" of the Iron factory, providing primary engineering support for both day-to-day operations and continuous improvement efforts in safety, quality and labor productivity. In addition to ensuring manufacturability of existing products, you will participate on project teams developing and launching new products, collaborating with R&D and Product Management. You'll be responsible for continuous improvement (Kaizen and lean manufacturing) to ensure key safety, quality, and cost goals are met. Quick question for you - click here

This is a hands-on role and you will spend a good deal of your time on the production floor. You'll provide problem resolution to manufacturing issues to ensure the strongest processes to reduce variability and ensure ease of manufacturing. Additionally, you will maintain a process strategy, including equipment selection and maintenance, plant layout, tooling and operator training for the Iron factory.

More specifically, you will:

• Drive process improvements and ensure appropriate capital equipment and technologies are utilized.
• Develop processes, procedures and tooling used to produce final assembly products, related sub-assemblies and new products.
• Train production personnel as needed on process changes and improvements.
• Evaluate jobs, work stations and cells for appropriate ergonomic and safety issues.
• Serve as an area expert to assist in Kaizen events, safety action plans, countermeasures, etc.
• Periodically review processing, assembly, and packing methods, procedures and equipment for capability and efficiency of assigned areas. You'll develop solutions to improve financial performance or productivity as needed.
• Support the strategic objectives of the business through special projects.
• Handle other projects and duties as assigned.

Pictured: Pelton & Crane has combined critical elements to create the Spirit 3000. Sleek lines and quiet movements contribute to a stylish aesthetic and relaxing environment, while ergonomic design and massage technology put the patient at ease. Designed with efficiency in mind, the Spirit 3000 dentist chair offers ergonomically-positioned touchpads to control motion.

Why Pelton & Crane

Broad visibility and impact -- the Iron factory is our largest, and your success at driving improvements will be noticed. In fact, you'll interact with senior leaders regularly, such as the Vice President of Operations and Customer Care Manager. You'll partner with people through the organization, including Production Associates, Supervisors, Material Controllers, Planners,  Customer Service, Sales, and others. Externally you'll interact with end users and vendors.

Professional development -- the diversity of this role means you'll expand your experience and skills on a daily basis. For example, our preference is that you have experience with continuous improvement methods; if not, however, you'll acquire it in this role. You also will interact with peers within Pelton & Crane as well as other Danaher companies.

Career options -- we are committed to promoting from within whenever possible; in fact, this position is open because the incumbent was promoted. Once you have proven yourself in this role you might pursue other opportunities, such as a Factory Manager position. Your career choices include the Charlotte operations as well as the hundreds of Danaher companies around the world.

A culture that appreciates you -- our employees are our most valued assets, so we're passionate about retaining, developing and recruiting the best talent available. We're results oriented and also welcoming and friendly. Some of our core values that come from our parent company Danaher include:

• We are team-oriented with involvement by all.
• We seek fact-based, root cause solutions; not blame.
• We are accountable for results, and we deliver.
• We are non-political and not bureaucratic.
• We have high integrity and respect for others.
• Winning is fun.

A proven system for success-- we have developed a highly effective system for achieving performance: the Danaher Business System (DBS), which drives every aspect of the group's culture and performance. The DBS engine drives the company through a never-ending cycle of change and improvement: exceptional people develop outstanding plans and execute them using world-class tools to construct sustainable processes, resulting in superior performance. Superior performance and high expectations attract exceptional people, who continue the cycle.

Excellent compensation-- in addition to a competitive salary, our offerings include medical, dental, vision, life and long term disability insurances; a 401(k) plan with a company match; flexible medical and childcare spending accounts; tuition reimbursement and more.

Pictured: the Delta Q sterilizer provides an efficient, reliable solution to dental practices' critical sterilization needs. Extensive R&D and rigorous testing ensure the Delta Q dental sterilizer delivers consistent, fast results every time.

Keys to Success

To excel in this role, not only will you "live and breathe" the continuous improvement philosophy, but you also will have the interpersonal impact to influence and motivate others, persuading them to "buy into" and embrace your good ideas, ensuring that the changes become embedded and enduring. While your technical knowledge will be essential, you'll also need business acumen and an understanding of how the technology supports business goals.

Because the role involves both daily operational support and longer-term projects, you'll need the flexibility to switch back and forth, balancing activities in the two areas. When solving problems you'll need the tenacity to dig into underlying issues to fix the problem once and for all.

You'll also need to be self-motivated and self-sufficient, able to achieve goals with minimal supervision, but also have the ability to be successful in a team environment. We're looking for a results-oriented professional with a sense of urgency and the ability to prioritize work. In addition, you'll need to be a logical and creative thinker who is capable of focusing on details without losing sight of the big picture.

About Pelton & Crane

Innovative Dental Equipment

Pelton & Crane was founded in 1900 by Dr. R.M. Pelton, a dentist, and Mr. Crane, an electrical engineer, with the purpose of designing and manufacturing a furnace used to bake porcelain inlays. Innovation and quality are traditions that have kept Pelton & Crane at the forefront of the dental industry for over 100 years. Pelton & Crane has always insisted on the highest quality workmanship, as well as on delivering innovation to the dental industry. You can feel the quality and enjoy the comfort of knowing Pelton & Crane is a name you can trust for products that withstand the test of time.

Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets products and services with strong brand names, proprietary technologies and major market positions. Building on the foundation provided by Danaher Business System and the company's core values, Danaher's associates are pursuing a focused strategy aimed at creating a Premier Global Enterprise.

Pictured: Pelton & Crane offers an integrated product portfolio to dental practices. Because dental office design is an important aspect to consider when building or growing a dental practice, and we offer InView^TM, a proven and comprehensive dental office design process that guides practitioners methodically from a distant concept to a profitable reality.