Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Industrial Engineer
An Industrial Engineer is responsible for designing and developing industrial processes for cost-reduction, quality improvement and efficiency. They maintain and produce performance indicators and write reports and procedure manuals. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Industrial Engineers.
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Main Responsibilities of Industrial Engineer
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Industrial Engineer:
Adhere
Adhere to budget, schedule, design and coordinate a wide variety of logistics improvement projects.
Analyze
Analyze and evaluate test and research results.
Analyze audit results and provides feedback on adequacy of plans and training effectiveness.
Anticipate
Anticipate potential complex problems requiring an indepth evaluation.
Apply
Apply statistical methods and perform mathematical calculations to Labor Management.
Assist with
Assist in any customer audits.
Assist in creating equipment lists, line lists, and tie-in lists.
Assist in performing quality checks.
Assist production in planning labor allocations for mix and line speed changes.
Assist the buyer in their daily work.
Assist to define appropriate goals and metrics for proper material control.
Assist with Small Prog. And transfer Press Benchmarking monthly meeting.
Assist with special projects that focus on delivering results against the business plan.
Assist with the implementation of Lean / Kaizen initiatives or events in the department.
Assist with the update of procedures to reflect the new process.
Benefit
Benefit and return on investment.
Build
Build business case with the local and business teams.
Calculate
Calculate staffing requirements per style.
Coach
Coach and support Green Belt candidates on proper use of tools and improvement processes.
Coach, mentor and provide training to colleagues on safety engineering topics.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with cross functional teams as required.
Collaborate with Supply partners to Maximize output & Minimize cycle times.
Collaborate with the learning team to jointly develop training materials for IE projects.
Communicate
Communicate and plan with teammates, vendors management and customer to support above efforts.
Communicate OpEx briefings to senior leadership teams.
Communicate variances and scope changes.
Complete
Complete line performance analysis by using KPI metrics.
Complete value stream mapping and process optimization studies.
Conduct
Conduct analysis and supports implementation of best practices in facility.
Conduct ergonomic evaluations, recommending and implementing improvements to work area designs.
Conduct job ergonomics evaluations.
Conduct methods-time management studies to identify bottlenecks and implement line balancing.
Conduct monthly reviews for RPN reductions and corrective action updates.
Conduct time and motion / MODAPTS studies and review employee proposals and suggestions.
Conduct Time & Motion Studies and approve labor standards.
Conduct time studies to validate labor standards.
Confer
Confer with the administration and engineering staff to implement plans and recommendations.
Contribute to
Contribute to strategic decisions.
Coordinate
Coordinate and manage release changes with facility engineers.
Coordinate engineering changes and planning.
Coordinate with raw material suppliers to ensure best mix of cost and quality.
Create
Create and deliver AutoCad Layout for complex space planning and process design improvements.
Create and propose layouts for distribution center expansion & relocation.
Create equipment lists, line lists, and tie-in lists.
Create requirements that form cohesive plans.
Create standard work methods for new and current production lines.
Design
Design floor layout plan for new production lines.
Design production processes that maximize efficiency and reduce waste.
Determine
Determine the quantity and type of IT hardware necessary at each local warehouse site.
Develop
Develop and carry out work study.
Develop and design production standards in cooperation with management and user personnel.
Develop and implement process improvements and technological upgrades.
Develop and implement solutions.
Develop and maintain manufacturing routes for maximizing space, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Develop and maintain Recovery Schedules for production work centers.
Develop and manages relationships with internal customers.
Develop a scalable implementation plan to support a rapidly growing client base.
Develop business requirements based on abstract strategic ideas for the company.
Develop computer applications for machines and processes.
Develop, configure and optimize industrial processes from inception through to start up and scaling.
Develop cost saving project proposals and write projects.
Develop Excel tools, databases, and files, and provide support in relation to these tools.
Develop relationships and engage key business partners and collaborate to address issues.
Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) and work instructions.
Develop workstation requirements (work content, automated vs.
Document
Document the process to be implemented.
Drive
Drive development and / or installation of direct and indirect labor standards and methods.
Drive project timelines, budgets, and communication within a cross-functional organization.
Enable
Enable process governance through education, change management, and proper escalation, as needed.
Engage
Engage in work execution planning and interact with cross-functional teams.
Ensure
Ensure all required paperwork is completed in accordance with the company's procedures.
Ensure consistency of delivery by project team on site and in the businesses.
Ensure project metrics and timelines are reported via appropriate systems in a timely manner.
Ensure that manufacturing procedures follow safety and environmental regulations.
Ensure tight management, customer communications, and expectation setting for customer deployments.
Escalate
Escalate issues in a timely manner to the leadership for resolution.
Establish
Establish and maintains an effective Production Maintenance System.
Evaluate
Evaluate Kanban solutions deployed in different business sectors.
Evaluate the risks related to every workspace and the fire risks in the plant.
Execute
Execute excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills to work with various departments.
Execute performance feedback reviews and goal setting / KPI exercises, and career development.
Extract
Extract data from various systems and perform data / statistical analyses to identify opportunities.
Facilitate
Facilitate methodology discussions within the teams.
Formulate
Formulate and conduct scientific experiments and analyses.
Foster
Foster teamwork and a spirit of collaboration amongst the internal teams.
Generate
Generate cost / benefit analysis.
Help
Help prepare lists of required materials, tools, and equipment.
Hold
Hold suppliers accountable to specifications.
Host
Host 5S activities in various production departments.
Ideate
Ideate alternatives for process, equipment and system design to optimize end-to-end solutions.
Identify
Identify areas for productivity projects and acts to implement.
Identify changes to the scope when they occur and provides necessary documentation and escalation.
Identify and quantify opportunities to improve the quality and efficiency of end to end process.
Identify costs associated with manufacturing process investments and justify the need.
Identify, qualify, develop strategic partnerships.
Identify root cause inaccuracies and recommend / implement production process improvements.
Identify Supplier Cycle Time & productivity improvement opportunities.
Implement
Implement new lay outs as required.
Implement policies, practices, and procedures that have a significant impact on the department.
Implement process flow improvement projects.
Improve
Improve industrial processes and methods for cost-reduction, quality improvement and efficiency.
Influence
Influence exerted at peer level and occasionally at first levels of management.
Insure
Insure correct features are incorporated first in the projects.
Integrate
Integrate subject matter of industrial engineering and data analysis.
Interact with
Interact with various senior leaders while providing updates on IE programs and activities.
Interface with
Interface with design engineering in coordinating the release of new products.
Lead
Lead and directs the work of other employees.
Lead and facilitate structured improvement workshops (Kaizen, 5S, 3P).
Lead and support cross functional projects and process improvement initiatives.
Lead facility design, optimization, DMAIC workshop and Kaizen events.
Lead industrial engineering innovation and new technology discovery explorations.
Lead Industrial / Quality engineering functions across two factories.
Lead the effort of simulations and 'what if' scenarios.
Leverage
Leverage communication standards to distribute information to appropriate audience.
Maintain
Maintain and produce performance indicators.
Maintain press and assembly equipment GAP reports.
Maintain Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) documents.
Maintain recent AutoCAD layouts of current operations.
Maintain records and reporting systems for coordination of manufacturing operations.
Maintain the metrics integrity.
Make
Make prototypes for novel devices to be used in experiments.
Manage
Manage all packaging issues related issues, internal or external.
Manage capacity planning for factory equipment (tools).
Manage the chemical transfers in Canada.
Manipulate
Manipulate operation and sales data sets from local database using SQL and Excel.
Measure
Measure and report on efficiency data.
Optimize
Optimize shipping and other work stations for efficiency, ergonomics, and quality.
Optimize work tools and manage standard times.
Outline
Outline alternatives for process, equipment and system design.
Participate in
Participate and lead problem solving sessions using structured approach and lean methodologies.
Participate in pilot and pre-production activities.
Participate in the definition of manufacturing processes.
Perform
Perform all other tasks as assigned by management.
Perform "Costing What-Ifs” via spreadsheet for the purpose of project justification.
Perform installation, shipping, and fall impact tests.
Perform monthly floor audits, 5S compliance.
Perform other related duties and responsibilities, on occasion, as assigned.
Perform product / process analysis for cost reduction, quality improvement, and improved efficiency.
Prepare
Prepare cost estimates for proposed projects.
Prepare labor breakdowns for new styles with estimated minutes for operation sequencing.
Prepare process equipment specifications and data sheets.
Prepare process flow diagrams.
Prioritize
Prioritize projects based on defined criteria.
Process
Process documentation and design.
Process improvement, quality work instructions.
Propose
Propose and implement changes as needed.
Propose Kanban solutions according to the needs of the work cells.
Provide
Provide accurate analysis and consideration of alternatives and outcomes.
Provide assistance in testing and evaluating various options.
Provide capacity planning, shop-loading and staffing analysis for functional production teams.
Provide design input for granular level components.
Provide technical feedback to the Program Manager.
Provide technical input / feedback to the development team.
Provide technical support and training to manufacturing staff out in plant.
Provide technical support as needed for various legal contracts.
Provide technical troubleshooting and ongoing support strategies.
Provide timely and accurate reporting and analysis as required.
Read
Read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals.
Recommend
Recommend improvements to current work methods.
Recommend methods for improving worker's efficiency and reducing waste of materials and utilities.
Represent
Represent the organization and maintains liaison with individuals and related organizations.
Research
Research industry best practices for DTC fulfillment and provide ROI business case.
Research of new automation solutions and products.
Resolve
Resolve issues and delays in production.
Review
Review and approve design performed by Design Agencies.
Review and edits prepared materials.
Review testing and sampling plans and they impact manufacturing of biological manufacturing products.
Solve
Solve statistical problems and develop new methods of analysis.
Standardize
Standardize and create SOPs for all job elements.
Structure
Structure the scope, the kick-off and the governance of your project.
Substitute
Substitute for the production and warehouse supervisors.
Supervise
Supervise and coach the team to deliver high performance and engagement.
Supervise technicians, technologists, analysts, administrative staff and other engineers.
Support
Support and collaborate on SOP and process development.
Support business areas when obstacles are encountered and escalate when appropriate.
Support, live-up, and demonstrate Domain Logistics principles, values and vision.
Support locations with labor management and pay for performance issues, enhancements and maintenance.
Support new product launches and coordinate engineering changes (Release Change Management).
Support Ops team with data request and analysis and JDA system development.
Support technical transfers in / out of site to maximize use of site and plant network capacities.
Support the creation of performance indicators for existing processes.
Support the production activities of the manufacturing cells.
Take
Take part in cross-functional Improvement activities.
Train
Train participants on the various stages and purpose of the 5Ss.
Train the warehouse on standard slotting strategies and calculations.
Translate
Translate or explain what information means and how it can be used.
Update
Update the Industrial Engineer meetings file.
Use
Use statistical process and product controls where appropriate.
Utilize
Utilize Excel to sort and analyze statistical data from observations and work sampling.
Utilize
Utilize system thinking principles across Google DCs and Google Cloud.
Work with
Work as part of the team to provide support to ensure reliability and efficiency with processes.
Work as part of the Team to provide support to ensure reliability and efficiency with processes.
Work measurement programs and analysis of work samples to develop standards for the use of work.
Work measurement programs and analyzes work samples to develop standards for labor utilization.
Work Sampling, Flowcharting, Methods Analysis, Critical Path Analysis, and Simulation.
Work well in a team project environment as well as virtually.
Work with Engineering to ensure capacity planning requirements are embedded into site master plans.
Work with IT partners to develop and maintain key operational reporting.
Work with moderate oversight.
Write
Write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals.
Write software for custom research applications.
Write the pedagogical material necessary for the training.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Industrial Engineer:
Manufacturing
Manufacturing Environment
Simulation
MS Office
Black Belt
MS Access
CAD
Lean
Logistics
Process Improvement
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Industrial Engineer:
Written and oral communication skills
Problem-solving attitude
Interpersonal skills
Leadership
Organizational capacity
Analytical ability
Attention to detail
Planning
Creative
Multi-task
Teamwork
Detail-oriented
Priority management
Self-motivated
Team player
Flexible
Self-starter
Exercises judgment
Initiative
Organized
