Chemical Process Engineer

Seaman Corporation • Wooster, OH

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Seaman Corporation is seeking a Chemical Process Engineer to join its Wooster Engineering team. The role plans, directs, and coordinates manufacturing activities that support process improvement, Innovation and Technology (I&T) project production activities, and Managing for Daily Improvement (MDI). It supports continuous manufacturing operations and standard work, and identifies and implements solutions to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost. The position reports to the Process Engineering Manager and helps align engineering activities across the enterprise.

The engineer provides daily technical support to Manufacturing, Process and Quality teams, and other functions. Work includes troubleshooting processes, equipment, and product quality; maintaining production documentation and standard work; evaluating equipment and process conditions; coordinating projects; and supporting continuous improvement. The role also investigates raw materials, analyzes compounds and off-specification results, documents findings, and works with Technical Group, Manufacturing, Quality Control, Product Development, Customer Service, and I&T to improve products and transition new products and processes from laboratory work through production trials to commercialization.

The position may provide off-shift coverage for low-yield products and R&D trials as needed, and support plant management during the Plant Manager’s absence. Travel requirements are 10%.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and 2–5 years of related manufacturing experience, or a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and 2–5 years of related PVC experience.
• Ability to support the stated technical, process-improvement, manufacturing, and cross-functional responsibilities.
• Willingness to meet the 10% travel requirement.
• Candidates must pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Nice To Haves

• Lean Manufacturing experience or knowledge is preferred.
• Web handling experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support safety programs and initiatives and promote safe work practices in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Provide technical leadership and expertise to process and quality teams in troubleshooting processes, equipment, and product quality.
• Monitor assigned operations for compliance with approved methods and standards.
• Write specifications and monitor and assist with shop-floor documentation and related technical activities.
• Create, update, and maintain Standard Work Procedures and Process Specifications for production lines.
• Analyze equipment and process conditions to optimize machine and equipment utilization in the production of quality industrial fabrics.
• Develop and coordinate smaller project plans, review vendor proposals, manage project-team activities, communicate changes, provide progress updates, and complete projects on time and within budget.
• Support Engineering with plans for large capital projects.
• Actively support Lean Sigma and continuous process improvement.
• Support leadership in addressing safety, quality, delivery, and cost exceptions.
• Support Quality Control, Product Development, and Customer Service with quality issues, source inspections, and NSF audits.
• Support Engineering in reviewing outside-vendor proposals for purchasing new equipment or modernizing production and processing equipment.
• Identify opportunities to reduce scrap and waste and find outlets for purchasing scrap and waste.
• Provide off-shift coverage for low-yield products and R&D trials as needed.
• Support plant management during the Plant Manager’s absence.
• Provide daily technical support to Manufacturing to achieve and maintain high product quality standards using an effective mix of raw materials.
• Coordinate objectives and work with the Technical Group to improve product reliability and minimize costs by investigating new and alternative raw materials.
• Analyze compounds to determine chemical and physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, and reactions using chromatography, spectroscopy, and spectrophotometry techniques.
• Recommend improvements or changes to methods or operations and increase plant-process efficiency while reducing waste where possible.
• Conduct root-cause investigations and analyses of off-specification results, work with Manufacturing and the Technical Group to implement corrective actions, and prepare well-documented reports.
• Work with the Technical Group and I&T to transition laboratory work into production trials and commercialize new products and processes.

Benefits

• Company performance bonus in addition to base salary.
• Professional development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement, course training, and networking.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off (PTO).
• Volunteer time off (VTO).
• Paid holidays.
• Department outings, holiday parties, and an annual company-wide dinner.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level