Manager, Eng & Ops, Transformation

Kraton Performance Polymers Inc. • The Woodlands, TX

33d

About The Position

This role is critical to the evaluation of operational excellence and transformation efforts across Kraton's manufacturing, operations, and engineering footprints. It leverages strategic analysis, financial insights, and diagnostic capabilities to improve cost efficiency, enhance forecasting accuracy, and strengthen execution effectiveness, driving margin improvement and long-term value creation.

Requirements

• Excellent communication skills in both Korean and English languages (must be able to speak, read and write fluently)
• Experience as a Production or Process Engineer in a Chemical Manufacturing facility highly preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in operational diagnostics, manufacturing, or transformation roles with 2-3 years in an international capacity
• Certification or demonstrated expertise in Lean Six Sigma or Operational Excellence methodologies
• Strong financial and business acumen with experience in cost analysis and investment evaluation.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence senior leadership.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong experience with Microsoft Office is required (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Nice To Haves

• Experience as a Production or Process Engineer in a Chemical Manufacturing facility highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead diagnostic reviews of project performance across all plants to identify cost drivers, execution bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities.
• Champion transformation initiatives that enhance cost effectiveness, identification of operational improvement opportunities, and opportunities for operational reliability improvements.
• Develop and implement metrics that assess project management health and drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with procurement, operations, and finance to align project execution with broader business goals.
• Ensure that the collaboration work continues to promote a culture of safety, accountability, and transparency in project delivery.
• Serve as the primary advisor on Operations diagnosis and improvement opportunities to the Chief Transformation Officer.
• Act as a liaison to collaborative teams at the parent company.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Industry: Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees