Process Engineering Manager

Radiac Abrasives, Inc.•Oswego, IL

4d•$90,000 - $100,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Process Engineering Manager supports manufacturing operations to ensure daily productivity, quality, cost, and safety objectives are achieved. Working closely with Operations, this role identifies and resolves manufacturing issues, improves existing processes, and implements continuous improvement initiatives to reduce cost, improve quality, increase productivity, and enhance workplace safety. The manager also supports new product, equipment, and manufacturing-process introductions, including equipment installation, qualification, start-up, process development, and optimization. The role collaborates across Product Development, Purchasing, Engineering, Quality, and Operations, and may supervise engineering, continuous improvement, or technical personnel as assigned. The position works in both office and manufacturing environments and requires regular presence on the production floor.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Minimum of five years of manufacturing, process, or related engineering experience.
Training and/or demonstrated experience with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to collaborate across manufacturing, engineering, quality, and leadership teams.
Ability to apply structured problem-solving and root-cause analysis techniques, including fishbone diagrams, 5 Whys, 8D, Pareto analysis, and similar methodologies.
Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles, cellular manufacturing, time and motion studies, process optimization, and manufacturing ergonomics.
Strong analytical skills and experience using manufacturing data to drive decisions and improvements.
Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office and Excel.
Working knowledge of basic hydraulic principles, including force, area, and pressure.
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a hands-on manufacturing environment.
Ability to stand, sit, reach, stoop, bend, climb stairs and ladders, and perform other activities needed to observe and support manufacturing processes.
Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
Visual acuity, with or without correction, sufficient to read technical documents and closely inspect equipment, processes, and manufactured parts.
Ability to work around moving mechanical equipment, dust, noise, heat, vibration, and varying temperatures; required PPE must be worn in designated production areas.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Excel PivotTables and data analysis tools.
Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent practical experience; Black Belt certification is a plus.
Design of Experiments (DOE) training or equivalent practical experience.
Experience supporting manufacturing process improvements, equipment implementation, and new product introductions.

Responsibilities

Partner with Operations to identify and resolve manufacturing issues affecting productivity, quality, cost, safety, or successful completion of manufacturing orders.
Supervise engineering, continuous improvement, or technical personnel as assigned.
Develop and implement continuous improvement projects to increase productivity, reduce costs, improve quality, enhance safety, and optimize manufacturing processes.
Lead cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and other structured problem-solving methodologies.
Develop and maintain systems for prioritizing, tracking, and reporting continuous improvement projects; review progress with Operations leadership, address barriers, and identify opportunities.
Collaborate with Product Development, Purchasing, Engineering, Quality, and Operations to evaluate and approve new materials, suppliers, equipment, and manufacturing processes.
Support new product introductions by determining manufacturing requirements, including capital equipment, workflow, process parameters, tooling, and production methods.
Support installation, qualification, and start-up of new equipment and manufacturing work cells.
Participate in the Product Quality Planning (PQP) process and cross-functional continuous improvement teams.
Review and approve production processes, control plans, FMEAs, and other applicable manufacturing documentation.
Collect and analyze manufacturing data to identify trends, determine root causes, evaluate improvement opportunities, and make data-driven recommendations.
Perform other duties and projects as assigned.