Lead Process Engineer

Kimberly-Clark•Warren, MI

2d•$87,260 - $107,780•Hybrid

About The Position

The Lead Process Engineer provides technical leadership and innovative solutions for the design, development, optimization, and operation of assigned assets and supporting processes. The role ensures safety and operational performance standards are met, sustains asset reliability, and drives continuous improvement, troubleshooting, and problem-solving to improve process efficiency and asset performance. The position owns machine and process health and effectiveness, drives adherence to asset centerlines and critical-to-quality and critical-to-process parameters, and leads root cause analysis when performance shifts outside those centerlines. It champions Clean-Inspect-Lubricate practices and evaluates their execution by shift teams, leads breakdown analysis, works with maintenance planning to execute line maintenance plans, and ensures KPI calculations and reporting follow global standards. The engineer also works with Digital and DTS teams to promote use of Power BI, MES, OSI/PI, and other digital tools. The role leads process standards and continuous improvement, supports changeover and material-quality strategies, leads trials and establishes optimal run settings, and develops processes that meet safety requirements. It manages asset improvement and cost-saving initiatives, supports operations and maintenance and expense and capital planning, and collaborates on projects from design through commissioning. The engineer also coaches colleagues, supports training and development, and fosters collaboration. This role is based at the Warren Plant. It involves working safely in a manufacturing environment, with scheduled hours that may vary to support 24/7 operations and possible shift coverage. Travel of up to 15% may be required for benchmarking and best-practice sharing across North America. Kimberly-Clark will support in-country relocation for the chosen candidate, subject to applicable mobility policies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Chemical Engineering, Paper Science, or a related discipline.
At least 3 years of industrial experience in varied technical or operational assignments in high-speed consumer product manufacturing and/or a staff environment.
Ability to work independently or as part of a team to complete projects within required timeframes.
Experience with manufacturing analysis tools such as statistical process control, design of experiments, process capability studies, Six Sigma, and lean manufacturing.
Ability to work safely in a manufacturing environment.
Flexibility to travel up to 15% for benchmarking and best-practice sharing across North America.
Availability for scheduled hours that may vary to support 24/7 operations and potential shift coverage.

Nice To Haves

Extensive knowledge of personal care production equipment, materials, and processes.
Demonstrated ability to write and present updates to leadership.
Multiple years of experience in plant manufacturing and staff support or capital project assignments, including product, process, and asset support.
Experience working with external technical service providers.
Familiarity with high-speed manufacturing equipment startups.
Experience and expertise with Kimberly-Clark engineering procedures and processes.

Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership for the design, development, optimization, and operation of assigned assets and supporting processes.
Own machine and process health and effectiveness.
Drive asset centerlining by identifying key parameters, ensuring adherence, and leading root cause analysis when critical-to-quality or critical-to-process parameters move outside centerlines.
Champion Clean-Inspect-Lubricate practices and ensure shift teams effectively execute health checks and CIL activities.
Lead root cause analysis of breakdowns, repeat or chronic issues, minor stops, and unplanned stops with the asset team.
Drive execution of the line maintenance plan in close partnership with the maintenance planner.
Own reporting and ensure KPIs are calculated according to Kimberly-Clark global standards and accurately reported in the system.
Work with Digital and DTS teams to drive use of Power BI reports, MES, OSI/PI, and other appropriate digital tools.
Implement process standards and programs that sustain asset performance and enable continuous improvement.
Promote adherence to critical process parameters and operational best practices.
Support efficient changeovers and material quality management.
Lead trials and establish optimal operating settings.
Apply engineering principles and continuous-improvement methods to resolve complex issues and identify opportunities.
Develop and maintain processes and standards that meet safety requirements; lead initiatives to identify and mitigate safety risks.
Manage initiatives to improve asset performance and deliver cost savings.
Provide technical support to operations and maintenance, including input to expense and capital planning.
Collaborate on projects from design through commissioning and ensure alignment with long-term objectives.
Share expertise, coach team members, support training and development plans for process roles, and foster collaboration.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage options with no waiting periods or pre-existing condition restrictions.
Access to an on-site fitness center and occupational health nurse.
Allowances for high-quality safety equipment.
Flexible savings and spending accounts.
Income protection insurance options.
Programs and support for continuing education, adoption, relocation, and temporary childcare.
Eligibility for a target bonus.
401(k) and Profit Sharing plan.
Comprehensive benefits suite.
In-country relocation support for the chosen candidate, subject to applicable mobility policies.