Shape how products move from concept to customer
At Dexter’s El Reno, Oklahoma facility, you’ll be the engine behind safer, faster, and more reliable production. Dexter is a leading maker and supplier of axles, suspensions, braking systems, doors, vents, trailer components, and towing hardware serving commercial trailer, RV, heavy-duty, marine, agricultural, and manufactured housing markets.
A day in the life
Your morning begins on the floor—walking the lines with supervisors, confirming yesterday’s countermeasures, and reviewing OEE, scrap, and safety trends. By mid-morning, you’re mapping a value stream to reveal constraints, running time studies to balance takt, and fine-tuning a line-side material delivery route to cut travel and WIP. In the afternoon, you’re at a weld cell—adjusting a robotic sequence, validating a new fixture, and collaborating with Maintenance on TPM tasks to boost uptime. You close the day aligning stakeholders on an A3, translating insights for plant leadership, and locking in standard work so the gains stick.
What you’ll drive
- Lead cross-functional continuous improvement projects that deliver measurable SQDC results.
- Use value stream mapping, time studies, and process flow analysis to raise throughput, synchronize takt, and right-size resources.
- Design ergonomic workstations and assembly layouts that elevate safety, quality, and efficiency.
- Develop labor standards, capacity models, and production forecasts to strengthen planning and scheduling.
- Optimize material flow, internal logistics, and line-side delivery to reduce handling, downtime, and waste.
- Implement visual management (kanban, Andon, production boards) to improve communication and accountability.
- Lead root-cause problem solving (8D, A3, FMEA) and lock in permanent fixes.
- Advance welding automation and optimize weld sequencing; influence fixture/tooling design.
- Support automation and smart manufacturing (PLC-controlled systems, robotics, IoT-enabled equipment).
- Apply SPC and analytics to monitor process capability and product quality.
- Partner with Maintenance/Engineering on TPM to increase equipment reliability and uptime.
- Collaborate with New Product Engineering to embed DFM/DFA into new axle and suspension designs.
- Deliver cost reductions across direct/indirect labor, scrap, rework, and utilities.
- Standardize and replicate best practices across regions for sustainable results.
Lead through influence
- Coach and train leaders and supervisors in Lean tools and behaviors.
- Facilitate Kaizen events and targeted problem-solving workshops.
- Track and communicate KPIs (OEE, scrap, safety, cost savings) to all levels, from floor to executive.
- Promote best-practice sharing across departments and plants, including union environments.
- Champion Dexter’s values: Execute with Determination, Connect with People, Do the Right Thing.
What you bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
- 1–3+ years in a manufacturing environment (axle, chassis, suspension, automotive/trailer components preferred).
- Lean Six Sigma credentials (Green/Black Belt preferred).
- Welding knowledge (manual/robotic; MIG, TIG, resistance).
- Time study, labor standards, and plant layout expertise.
- ERP/MES (Oracle, Plex, SAP) and data analytics proficiency.
Success profile
Hands-on, safety-first, collaborative problem solver who thrives on the manufacturing floor and translates CI strategy across all levels.
Rewards and growth
- Competitive wages
- Comprehensive benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, STD, LTD, FSA, HSA
- 3% profit sharing via Safe Harbor
- 401(k) with company contributions
- Robust internal career development and advancement opportunities
Apply now to join an industry leader and make a difference for the customers we serve.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Offers of employment are contingent upon successfully passing a background check and drug screen.Dexter Axle Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for positions without discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
Work Authorization
Dexter will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States or Canada. This position does not provide sponsorship. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1 (including those with OPT or CPT), H-1, H-2, L-1, B, J or TN, or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.