Lab Associate Jobs in Manitowoc, WI (NOW HIRING)

Process Engineer
Manitowoc, WI
How can you make a difference at your job and can have the opportunity to grow?
Join the Manitowoc - Spartech Team!
We offer competitive salary, incentive, and benefit programs. - Most Benefits Start Day One!
In Manitowoc we heavily support automotive customers with flexible sound barrier and non-carpet flooring sheet. Our sound barrier product also is used in building and construction and energy markets for sound control applications. Manitowoc also produces black color concentrate pellets which are used in our customers process to color their end products.
We are currently looking for a Process Engineer to join our production team to support our variety of customers. If you meet the qualifications and want to make a difference in a fast-paced environment with a company large enough to offer you room to grow but not so large you become "just a number", and who has a large focus on safety and success, Spartech might be the ideal company for you!
Drive process improvement, root cause analysis and troubleshooting through the collection and analysis of data to enhance material/labor utilization output rates, set up times, and product quality. Development of SOPs for production processes. This position will coordinate both long- and short-term project identification and execution in order to achieve a facility's goals and objectives.
Essential Job Duties:

• Ownership of plant's primary processes (e.g. plastics processing, sheet extrusion, rollstock production, etc.). Ability to problem solve issues as well as plan, design, and execute empirical Design of Experiments (DOE) to ensure repeatability.
• Optimize process performance through the use of Operational Excellence and LEAN tools and techniques. Drive process improvement, root cause analysis and troubleshooting through the collection and analysis of data to enhance material/labor utilization output rates, set up times, and product quality. Define and achieve goals, objectives, and projects related to yield improvement, labor optimization, conversion cost reduction and product quality.

• Evaluate and recommend material and formulation improvements, including cycle optimizations by working closely with process operators and the R&D Lab personnel. Able to plan and execute trials to drive out waste and reduce variation. Ability to make process evaluations and make appropriate recommendations for changes.

• Contribute to the customer complaint process via root cause analysis, documentation, trials, and confirmation of effectiveness. Engage with customers and commercial representative to enhance customer satisfaction.
• Train operational, process, and quality staff on key engineering topics on an as needed basis.

• Lead projects through the use of standard project management tools and procedures. Ensure compliance to all ISO/IMS and Operational Excellence policies and procedures.

• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements
Education & Experience

• BS Degree in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering or equivalent. Significant practical experience with thermoforming equipment will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum five years operations or engineering experience, with 3 years preferred experience in plastics related Industry.
• Operational Excellence training, and/or certifications (Lean, Six Sigma, ISO), strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Outstanding leadership characteristics and drive for data driven results.
• Analytical and mathematical skills necessary to collect, interpret, and act on process trials and activities.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as EHS standards, operating manuals, maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals, as well as business periodicals, journals, and government regulations.
• Ability to write operational and project reports, correspondence, and policies and procedures.
• Ability to effectively communicate with all levels in the organization including internal and external associates (including project presentations in group settings). Including the ability to train people.
• Knowledge of budget administration and financial reporting preferred.
• Ability to meet physical demands associated with position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook). SAP ERP experience preferred.

Benefits
We offer competitive salary, incentive, and benefit programs. - Most Benefits Start Day ONE!
Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, & Vision.
• Company paid life and long-term and short-term disability programs.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• 401(k) with a strong matching program.
• 120 hours Paid Time Off (pro-rated based on hire date).
• 11 paid holidays.

Spartech LLC, headquartered in Maryland Heights, Missouri is a leading manufacturing organization in the Custom Sheet & Roll Stock and Packaging industries with over a dozen locations throughout the United States. We have a broad customer base with extensive product offerings. Many of our materials are used in products you might see every day- for example if you start your morning with a yogurt or your child eats a single serving peanut butter-you may have already seen some of our materials. More unique uses of our materials can be seen in Military or security applications, for example, with bullet proof materials. From routine daily-life to life-saving applications-we make a difference. Our broad scope of products and services keep our environment interesting and challenging with a culture focused on success.
Spartech, LLC provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status, or other legally protected classification in the state in which a person is seeking employment. Spartech will use E-Verify to ensure employment eligibility of newly hired employees where required.