Plant Engineering Manager

Owens Corning•Kearny, NJ

About The Position

The Plant Engineering Manager serves as the Quality and Technical Leader for a 24/7 manufacturing facility. The role is accountable for ensuring finished goods meet or exceed customer and industry expectations; improving quality control, process control, structured problem solving, and product composition; reporting relevant quality and plant metrics to Division Leaders; and leading product and process quality. Primary metrics include DPMO, quality and process KPIs, and material productivity. The position reports to the Site Leader and oversees Quality Technicians. The role leads safety efforts, process stabilization and cost reduction, quality control, and administrative reporting and customer engagement. It reviews process and product quality metrics, drives improvement and variation reduction, partners with division subject-matter experts on raw materials and equipment trials, trains employees on product requirements and quality practices, and applies TPM Quality Management and Focused Improvement methods. It also reviews capital projects for quality and process impacts, supports quality-related projects from scope through start-up, and works with sales, warranty, customers, vendors, and plant and division leadership. The position requires solid communication, statistical analysis and data manipulation, structured problem-solving aligned with Six Sigma concepts, teamwork and leadership, adaptability, and the ability to use data to make business decisions and design trials. Some travel is required, up to 10%. The work is performed in a manufacturing environment that may be non-climate-controlled, with physical requirements including extended periods of sitting or standing, lifting, and using stairs and ladders.

Requirements

Solid verbal and written communication skills.
Statistical analysis and data manipulation skills.
Structured problem-solving skills in line with Six Sigma concepts.
Ability to work effectively in teams and motivate coworkers.
Proven leadership within a relevant discipline; ability to learn quickly and adapt to and embrace change.
Ability to use data to make business decisions and design trials while minimizing the risk of producing off-quality material.
Self-motivated and able to work toward goals without daily intervention.
Ability to quickly grasp and gather information from varied sources.
Some travel required, up to 10%.
One of the following education and experience pathways: B.S. in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering and 2+ years of relevant manufacturing and leadership experience; 5+ years of relevant manufacturing and leadership experience; or graduation from an Owens Corning development program.
Ability to use Microsoft Office products.
Ability to use statistical analysis software to identify data trends and patterns, such as MiniTab, advanced Excel, BrainCube, or AspenTech.
Ability to work up to 12 hours in a non-climate-controlled manufacturing environment.
Ability to use personal protective equipment, including safety-toed shoes, hearing protection, eye protection, and hand protection.
Ability to sit or stand continuously for up to 12 hours.
Ability to lift up to 40 pounds without assistance.
Visual acuity.
Ability to routinely ascend and descend stairs and ladders as the work area requires.

Responsibilities

Provide a safe and secure work environment for employees, contractors, and visitors; participate in area self-inspections and accident investigations, recommend corrective actions, and support safety initiatives aimed at zero recordable injuries.
Review process-control metrics for critical processes and improve performance, reduce product or process variation, and minimize cost.
Partner with division subject-matter experts to research and trial raw materials or equipment that may improve quality or process control or reduce cost.
Train new and existing employees on customer and industry product requirements, quality testing, process and equipment theory of operation and setpoints, and Quality Management and Focused Improvement work.
Lead and use TPM Quality Management and Focused Improvement methodologies; partner with other pillars on customer FFUs, loss analysis, and structured problem solving.
Review capital projects for quality or process impacts and manage changes to minimize negative effects on the plant.
Review product-property quality-control metrics and improve performance to reduce product variation and minimize cost.
Review laboratory standards and ensure equipment is calibrated and functioning properly and that technicians and operators use approved test methods.
Review incoming raw-material quality to minimize the risk of defects.
Ensure proper disposition of claim returns, hold material, and trial material.
Partner with the sales team and warranty department to support roof claim inspections.
Develop business cases for quality-related capital projects and manage projects from scope through start-up.
Report regularly, daily or monthly, on product defects, product quality, process-control needs, actions, and best practices to plant and division leadership teams.
Ensure quality-related tasks and equipment minimize employee risk and that the quality department participates in plant safety activities.
Partner with the local sales team to review customer feedback.
Facilitate and lead on-site customer tours and vendor training events.