Process Engineer

Graphic Packaging•Carol Stream, IL

About The Position

The Process Engineer provides engineering and project management support to maximize production efficiency. The role also provides project management, active leadership, and participation in the plant’s continuous improvement and safety processes. The engineer identifies opportunities to improve productivity, quality, and cost; manages testing for process improvements and new product development; and develops and implements solutions to improve throughput, product quality, and first-pass yield. The role works closely with operations, supports manufacturing supervisors, and applies Lean methods to day-to-day machine operations. The position also supports safe food production by following plant, hygiene, allergen, and Safe Quality Foods (SQF) procedures; reporting potentially unsafe conditions; and participating in SQF root-cause and corrective-action activities. The general schedule is eight-hour shifts, Monday through Friday, with occasional alternate schedules that may include early mornings, nights, or weekends. The role involves work around manufacturing equipment, noise, and temperature fluctuations and requires use of personal protective equipment.

Requirements

Four-year degree in Engineering (such as Mechanical, Industrial, Packaging, or Chemical), or three years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
Strong organizational and communication skills, both verbal and written.
Strong PC skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and SAP.
Prior project management experience.
Familiarity with traditional and modern job training methods and techniques.
Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, climb, reach, and perform repetitive movements.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
Ability to work in environments with loud noise levels, temperature fluctuations, and manufacturing equipment.
Ability to use required personal protective equipment, including safety footwear, hearing protection, safety glasses, gloves, and hair/beard nets.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Responsibilities

Comply with company and department safety policies, procedures, and programs.
Identify opportunities to improve existing processes to increase productivity and quality or reduce costs.
Manage testing for process improvements, new product development, and other required activities.
Identify and quantify issues and recommend solutions.
Lead or participate in design reviews as required.
Conduct process studies and recommend areas for investigation.
Work with the operations team to develop machine center lines.
Conduct machine audits to validate that machines are running at center line.
Work with the operations team to optimize machine throughput by improving OEE.
Develop and implement solutions to improve product quality and first-pass yield.
Use Lean methodology and systems to manage day-to-day machine operations and make process improvements.
Identify safety hazards and work with the operations team to implement hazard mitigation.
Support Manufacturing Supervisors as needed.
Follow plant rules and procedures for production of Safe Quality Foods, including processes, hygiene, and allergens.
Report potentially unsafe food conditions or SQF noncompliance to a person of authority.
Participate in SQF root-cause and corrective-action activities as required, including those arising from customer complaints, audits, validation, and verification.
Perform other duties as assigned.