Process Engineer

Padnos•Grandville, MI

About The Position

The Continuous / Process Improvement Engineer solves business problems by identifying and prioritizing opportunities for improvement, primarily in manufacturing and operational areas, using lean manufacturing principles. The role manages projects and related metrics to support successful execution and communication across the company and to drive process and system changes. The engineer optimizes manufacturing asset and process performance, supports systems for documenting and resolving process failures, and works with business unit leaders to establish and monitor operational, labor, and financial KPIs. The role leads cross-functional improvement projects, applies structured continuous-improvement tools, measures project results, and helps build the organization’s continuous-improvement capability and culture. It also collaborates with Operations and supports the Operations Manager in advising the executive team on continuous-improvement strategy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field.
Proficient computer skills, including SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and Microsoft Office.
3–5 years of experience in an engineering and continuous-improvement role.
Experience with conveyance, vision systems, sorting, and segregation.
Ability to influence without authority and guide teams through project completion.
Proficiency in risk and stakeholder management, with a solution-driven mindset.
Process-oriented approach.
Data-driven problem-solving ability and demonstrated success in solving problems.
Strong independent decision-making skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with people at all organizational levels and adapt communication style accordingly.
Ability to lead through influence and navigate change management without direct authority.
Ability to manage resources, timelines, and priorities in a project environment.
Ability to build trust and demonstrate value.
Proactive approach to challenging existing processes and identifying opportunities.
Ability to adapt to evolving environments and overcome issues, challenges, and obstacles.
Demonstrated process and product knowledge, basic statistical knowledge, and organizational knowledge.
Ability to manage multiple projects across multiple teams simultaneously.
Bias toward action and demonstrated success in getting things done.

Nice To Haves

Six Sigma Green Belt certification is recommended.

Responsibilities

Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing asset and process performance and business results.
Support development of a system for documenting, prioritizing, and resolving process failures.
Work with business unit leaders to establish KPIs for operational, labor, and financial performance.
Monitor metrics and processes to ensure performance expectations are met and coach accountability for results.
Help identify project champions and sponsors and assist them with plans, schedules, budgets, and capital expenditure justifications.
Lead cross-functional teams in analyzing data, identifying root causes, and developing sustainable solutions.
Apply continuous-improvement tools and techniques, including root cause analysis, process maps, fishbone analysis, and benefit-versus-effort matrices.
Create project success metrics and dashboards to monitor achievement of targets.
Participate in recommending, evaluating, and selecting new products and systems to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and strategy.
Promote continuous-improvement capability and culture change through best-practice sharing, advocacy, and visible leadership.
Help develop and implement continuous-improvement training programs that embed lean processes in the company’s culture.
Collaborate with the Operations Team on regular communication with leadership to support engagement throughout the organization.
Support the Operations Manager in advising the executive team on organizational continuous-improvement strategy.