Value Analysis & Engineering Director

DuPont · Wimington, DE

Level: Director+
Team: Manufacturing
Degree: Required
Experience asked: 15+ years
Industry: Chemicals
Posted: 30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A director-level manufacturing role at DuPont (chemicals) in Wimington, DE. Lead, mentor, and develop a high ‑ performing VA E team focused on materials, manufacturing, and process engineering.

They ask for: 15+ years · degree required
Tools it names: Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Manufacturing Engineer roles in the US: typical posted base $98k–$143k.

Median of the low and high ends of 502 live postings that list pay, out of 1495 manufacturing engineer openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Delaware plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 1494 other live manufacturing postings in the US.

Base pay: Not listed in this posting
Experience asked: More than usual (15+ vs 5+)

Skills these teams ask for most

Tooling 51%
✓ Root cause 42%
✓ Lean 42%
New product launch 41%
Automation 32%
Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 25%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

It asks for 15+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at DuPont
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: DuPont in Wimington

1 other open role at this site.

Maintenance Supervisor - HVAC · Reliability · Supervisor

Full description from DuPontAs posted on their careers site.Show

Job Summary

The Director of Valu e Analysis & Engineering (VAE) is responsible for driving enterprise value through the strategic application of value engineering analysis methodologies and advanced analytics using generative AI techniques . This role leads a high ‑ impact team of engineers , partnering across operations, manufacturing technology, R& D and supply chain stakeholders to identify , prioritize, and implement initiatives that optimize cost, quality, outcomes, and performance.

The role serves as both a strategic advisor and change leader , leveraging value engineering practices to maximize product, process, or project value while minimizing costs . The position drives local and enterprise-wide improvements through shop-floor technology innovations , productivity , and optimized design for Front-End Loading of capital projects.

This leader establishes the value engineering roadmap, governs portfolio performance, mentors and develops team capability, and influences senior leadership through clear, actionable recommendations . Success requires strong change leadership, experience with generative AI techniques, the ability to translate analytics into impact, and a commitment to building a culture of continuous improvement .

requirements

are maintained or improved

Qualifications

✓Bachelor’s degree in Engineering , Computer /Data Science, MBA or AI Business Masters
✓15+ years of experience in Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Computer Science related field
✓Proven experience with Advanced AI and analytics leadership , including experience sponsoring or deploying AI ‑ enabled cost modeling, process optimization, and decision ‑ support capabilities across the enterprise
✓Enterprise manufacturing leadership experience with a proven record of delivering large ‑ scale , multi ‑ site cost transformation across raw materials, formulations, components, and core manufacturing processes
✓Recognized authority in Value Analysis and Value Engineering , with deep expertise applying Lean, Six Sigma, and engineering principles to drive sustained margin improvement at scale
✓Executive ‑ level change leadership , with demonstrated success influencing senior leaders, plant leadership, and cross ‑ functional executives to adopt complex material, supplier,

Show full description ↓

At DuPont, our purpose is to empower the world with essential innovations to thrive. We work on things that matter. Whether it’s providing clean water to more than a billion people on the planet, producing materials that are essential in everyday technology devices from smartphones to electric vehicles, or protecting workers around the world. Discover the many reasons the world’s most talented people are choosing to work at DuPont. Why Join Us | DuPont Careers

Strategic Value & Cost Reduction Leadership

•Lead the enterprise value engineering strategy focused on optimizing raw materials, formulations, components, and manufacturing processes to deliver significant, sustainable cost reductions
•Own the value pipeline for material and process initiatives, prioritizing opportunities based on financial impact , feasibility, supply risk, and operational readiness
•Partner with executive leadership to align VA V E initiatives to business strategy, margin improvement goals, and growth plans

Raw Material & Supplier Value Optimization

•Drive value analysis of raw materials, including material substitution, specification optimization, grade rationalization, and alternative sourcing strategies
•Collaborate with Procurement and Suppliers to identify cost ‑ down opportunities through should ‑ cost modeling, AI ‑ driven benchmarking, and innovation partnerships
•Implement AI ‑ supported tools for predictive cost modeling, scenario analysis, supplier performance evaluation, and demand ‑ driven material optimization
•Evaluate supplier proposals and cost ‑ reduction programs using total cost of ownership, lifecycle cost, and risk ‑ adjusted value frameworks
•Lead governance for material changes, ensuring performance, quality, and regulatory

Manufacturing Process Improvement

•Lead cross ‑ functional efforts to optimize manufacturing processes, including yield improvement, cycle time reduction, scrap and waste elimination, and energy efficiency
•Apply value engineering, Lean, Six Sigma, and AI ‑ enabled analytics to identify root causes of cost and performance variation
•Drive standardization and simplification of processes, formulations, and bill ‑ of ‑ materials across sites where appropriate
•Partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Manufacturing Technology, a nd R& D teams to enable scalable, sustainable process improvements

Change Leadership & Adoption

•Act as a strong change leader to drive adoption of material and process changes across manufacturing sites and functions
•Lead stakeholder engagement, communication, and risk mitigation for high ‑ impact cost ‑ reduction initiatives
•Build credibility and alignment with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Plant Leadership to ensure implementation success
•Anticipate and manage resistance, ensuring changes are practical, well ‑ understood , and operationally sustainable

Team Leadership & Capability Building

•Lead, mentor, and develop a high ‑ performing VA E team focused on materials, manufacturing, and process engineering
•Establish best practices, standards, and tools for value analysis and value engineering across the team
•Build AI literacy and analytical capability within the team to elevate outcomes and productivity
•Foster a culture of continuous improvement, data ‑ driven thinking, and innovation

Performance Tracking & Value Realization

•Establish KPIs to track cost savings, cost avoidance, productivity gains, and value realization
•Ensure savings are validated with Finance and sustained through governance, monitoring, and controls
•Report clear, transparent results and progress to senior and executive leadership