Process Engineer Manager Jobs in Hickory, NC (NOW HIRING)

The Sr. Process Engineer will lead and oversee the coating and material manufacturing through commercialization of innovative coating solutions. The Process Engineer will ensure cost-effective, high-quality products that meet customer specifications and contribute to the company’s growth. This role involves close technical collaboration with cross-functional teams, including new product development, operations, maintenance, quality assurance, engineering, and sales.

The ideal candidate will have a proven history of delivering innovative products in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment. As a key member of the operations team, the process engineer will drive continuous improvement on coating assets, operator engagement/development and safety.

Key Responsibilities

Safety:

• Take appropriate measures to ensure safety is a priority for all work in the plant.
• Lead risk assessments of equipment to drive safety improvements using skilled engineering practices.
• Actively participate in all plant safety initiatives, including but not limited to: JSAs, teams, and projects.

Strategic Leadership:

• Oversee daily operations activities and process driven improvement projects.
• Collaborate with production to improve throughput and product quality.
• Work with maintenance on machinery enhancements as well as troubleshooting and upgrades.
• Lead the operational implementation of new products with NPD.
• Implement improvements using effective management practices.
• Partner with other Business Units to establish a formal sharing of Best Practices

Quality:

• Create, maintain and establish documented operational conditions for all products.
• Ensure process databases are consistently updated for quality and traceability.
• Collaborate with other business units to implement best practices
• Collaborate with the quality team to meet product requirements that satisfy customer expectations.

Process:

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives aimed at increasing process efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing safety.
• Monitor and analyze process data, using insights to recommend and implement improvements in coating processes and technologies.
• Identify machine process improvements and communicate effectively with engineering and maintenance to improve and implement best practices.
• Support new product development efforts at the plant, coordinating with Safety, NPD, operations, and quality.
• Conduct design of experiments (DOEs), trials and documented process changes in a controlled manner.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and work with management on capital investments. Collaborate with the plant manager and engineering to develop CapEx plans, payback analyses, and achieve financial benefits upon completion.
• Cultivate a high-performing, collaborative team culture focused on innovation, customer focus, and timely results.
• Create and deliver training programs for production teams.
• Serve as a liaison between engineering, quality, and the facility, ensuring effective communication regarding projects, trials, and engineering functions.

Operational:

• Attend and actively participate in day-to-day plant operations meetings, lead Kaizen events, and perform Gemba walks.
• Identify and resolve process issues promptly.
• Drive operational efficiencies and ensure consistent product quality across all plant assets.
• Coordinate with Maintenance & Engineering a critical spare inventory process.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or Mechanical).
• 10+ years of process engineering experience or related engineering discipline.
• 15+ years of Industrial Engineering in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

• Proven track record of delivering innovative coating, substrate solutions.
• Strong technical knowledge of coatings, including formulation, application, and performance testing preferred.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong business acumen and decision-making abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence technical decisions without direct authority.
• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Expertise in technical sales, customer relationship management, and value-added selling.
• Agile, adaptable, and able to manage multiple priorities in a demanding environment.
• Hands-on experience preferred.  Knowledge of hand tools and power tools.  Position requires use of multimeter, thermography equipment, gas detection equipment, gas chromatograph, air flow meters, etc.
• Must be able to climb ladders, lift up to 50 lbs., stand on feet all day, and communicate in a noisy environment.

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