Lead Process Engineer
About The Position
The Lead Process Engineer provides process engineering support for the Beech Island Conventional Technology (CTEC) Tissue Machine assets for Kleenex®, supporting daily performance across safety, quality, production, delivery, and cost. The role focuses on improving equipment effectiveness, optimizing tissue manufacturing processes, resolving technical and manufacturing issues, and sustaining operational performance. It also leads and supports product and process trials, continuous improvement planning, and capital and major maintenance projects from concept through implementation and commercialization. The engineer collaborates with operations, maintenance, engineering, Process, and Capital Execution teams and supports broader facility needs. The position is based in Beech Island, South Carolina, in a manufacturing environment operating 24/7, with flexibility to travel up to 15%. Kimberly-Clark supports in-country relocation for the selected candidate.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Chemical Engineering, Pulp & Paper Science, or a related discipline from an accredited college or university.
- At least 3 years of experience in an engineering role; co-op or internship experience may count.
- Demonstrated ability to work in cross-functional teams to achieve results.
- Self-motivation and ability to achieve results with minimal direction and follow-up.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Good written and verbal communication skills, including clear and effective communication with Operators, peer Engineers, and Leadership.
- Experience with manufacturing analysis tools such as statistical process control, design of experiments, process capability studies, Six Sigma, and lean manufacturing.
- Ability and schedule flexibility to work in a manufacturing environment with 24/7 operations.
- Flexibility to travel up to 15%.
Nice To Haves
- Multiple years of technical knowledge and expertise in tissue manufacturing and/or converting processes.
- Strong application skills with SEEQ, Power BI, PI Vision, ThingWorx, and Plant Applications manufacturing execution system.
- Experience working with external technical service providers.
- Experience with machine installations, checkouts, and startups.
Responsibilities
- Provide process engineering support for Beech Island CTEC Tissue Machine assets for Kleenex®, supporting daily safety, quality, production, delivery, and cost performance.
- Improve Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE) by increasing machine speed, reducing waste, and minimizing delays.
- Lead structured problem solving and root-cause analysis to identify and resolve technical and manufacturing process issues.
- Optimize tissue manufacturing processes using best practices, centerlines, digital metrics, and dashboards to improve and sustain performance.
- Lead and support product and process trials focused on product quality, performance improvement, cost reduction, and successful implementation.
- Lead continuous improvement planning, including Operating System activities, Tactical Improvement Plan (TIP) cycles, annual planning, and development of asset improvement metrics.
- Lead and support capital and major maintenance projects from initial concept through implementation and commercialization.
- Collaborate across operations, maintenance, engineering, Process, and Capital Execution teams; share technical expertise and support broader facility needs.
- Attend and participate on time in morning Tier/Planning meetings.
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits suite, including a 401(k) and Profit Sharing plan.
- Eligibility for a target bonus.
- In-country relocation support for the selected candidate, subject to applicable mobility policies and company discretion.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
