Process Engineer II

Teknor Apex Company•Fountain Inn, SC

53d

About The Position

When Alfred Fain founded a small Rhode Island tire store in 1924, at the time no one could have predicted how Teknor Apex would become an international custom compounder sought out by companies around the world. After a nearly hundred-year journey that's carried us through acquisitions and expansion, we now have nine U.S. locations, as well as operations in Belgium, Singapore, Germany, and China. Throughout this global expansion Teknor has remained a privately held company, and today Fain's grandson sits at the helm, maintaining the family's tradition of fostering deep employee and customer relationships. These relationships are what allow us-together-to deliver customized compound solutions and help our customer's create better products. "Manufacturing is a team sport, and we work together to achieve our goals." ~Jon Fain GENERAL FUNCTION The Process Engineer II is responsible for driving improvements in production and processing methods to achieve optimal quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. This role takes ownership of identifying, resolving, and preventing work-in-process issues while implementing sustainable process enhancements. The Process Engineer II proactively leads improvement initiatives, ensures compliance with established standards, and champions best practices to reduce variability, increase yield, and enhance operator efficiency.

Requirements

BS or MS in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, material science, and related equipment.
Demonstrated ability to lead projects and drive measurable improvements in production efficiency and quality.
Proven teamwork and communication skills with the ability to influence across departments.
Experience working in and supporting an ISO 9000 environment.
4-6 years of relevant experience.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to apply data-driven decision-making (DOE, SPC, etc.).
Six Sigma Green Belt certification (or commitment to achieve within two years).
Ability to identify, analyze, and solve complex processing and production problems independently.
Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in manufacturing practices.
Ability to safely and effectively perform all essential job functions in compliance with ADA, FMLA, and other applicable standards.
Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance.
Ability to climb ladders and stairs to access plant equipment as needed.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of thermoplastics, polymer blends, and polymer compounding preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead and execute process and production engineering activities, taking initiative to identify and resolve operational challenges.
Provide technical direction and coaching to operating staff to ensure adherence to approved processes and continuous skill development.
Monitor and analyze production processes, ensuring alignment with established standards while proactively identifying opportunities for improvement.
Develop and implement production process enhancements that improve performance, reduce waste, and increase efficiency.
Own and deliver assigned projects focused on rate improvement, process standardization, and equipment optimization.
Establish and track performance metrics and goals aimed at reducing rejects, minimizing downtime, and driving continuous improvement.
Lead or support root cause analysis and corrective action implementation for customer complaints and internal quality issues.
Drive initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce B-grade material generation, and maximize yield.
Champion digitalization and automation efforts to modernize operations and enhance process reliability.
Actively contribute to safety improvements, ergonomic solutions, and overall operational excellence.
Lead or support FMEA execution and the development of Control Plans to ensure robust process control.
Collaborate cross-functionally to implement best practices and ensure process consistency across shifts and teams.
Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned to support business objectives.