Sr. Process Engineer

Pregis•Conover, NC

About The Position

The Sr. Process Engineer will lead and oversee coating and material manufacturing through commercialization of innovative coating solutions. The role ensures cost-effective, high-quality products that meet customer specifications and contribute to company growth. It involves close technical collaboration with new product development, operations, maintenance, quality assurance, engineering, and sales. As a key member of the operations team, the Sr. Process Engineer drives continuous improvement across coating assets, operator engagement and development, and safety. The position also supports new product development, process optimization, product quality, operational efficiency, and capital planning.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or Mechanical), or 15+ years of Industrial Engineering experience in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.
10+ years of process engineering experience or experience in a related engineering discipline.
Proven track record of delivering innovative coating and substrate solutions.
Strong business acumen and decision-making abilities.
Ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence technical decisions without direct authority.
Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills.
Expertise in technical sales, customer relationship management, and value-added selling.
Ability to adapt and manage multiple priorities in a demanding environment.
Knowledge of hand tools and power tools.
Ability to use a multimeter, thermography equipment, gas detection equipment, gas chromatograph, air flow meters, and similar equipment.
Ability to climb ladders, lift up to 50 lbs., stand on feet all day, and communicate in a noisy environment.

Nice To Haves

Strong technical knowledge of coatings, including formulation, application, and performance testing.
Hands-on experience.

Responsibilities

Ensure safety is a priority for all plant work; lead equipment risk assessments and participate in plant safety initiatives, including JSAs, teams, and projects.
Oversee daily operations activities and process-driven improvement projects.
Collaborate with production to improve throughput and product quality.
Work with maintenance on machinery enhancements, troubleshooting, and upgrades.
Lead operational implementation of new products with new product development (NPD).
Implement improvements using effective management practices and share best practices with other business units.
Create, maintain, and establish documented operational conditions for all products.
Keep process databases updated to support quality and traceability.
Collaborate with the quality team and other business units to meet customer expectations and implement best practices.
Drive continuous improvement to increase process efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance safety.
Monitor and analyze process data and recommend and implement improvements in coating processes and technologies.
Identify machine process improvements and coordinate with engineering and maintenance to implement them.
Support plant new product development with Safety, NPD, operations, and quality teams.
Conduct design of experiments (DOEs) and trials, and manage documented process changes in a controlled manner.
Identify process improvement opportunities and work with management on capital investments.
Collaborate with the plant manager and engineering to develop CapEx plans and payback analyses, and realize financial benefits after completion.
Cultivate a collaborative, high-performing team culture focused on innovation, customer focus, and timely results.
Create and deliver training programs for production teams.
Serve as a liaison between engineering, quality, and the facility to support communication about projects, trials, and engineering functions.
Attend and participate in day-to-day plant operations meetings, lead Kaizen events, and perform Gemba walks.
Identify and resolve process issues promptly, drive operational efficiency, and ensure consistent product quality across plant assets.
Coordinate with Maintenance and Engineering on a critical spare inventory process.
Perform other duties as assigned.