Process Improvement Engineer

Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leader whose focus on materials science delivers tomorrow's breakthroughs today.

From industry-leading molecules to sustainable innovations, Milliken creates products that enhance people's lives and deliver solutions for its customers and communities.

Drawing on thousands of patents and a portfolio with applications across the textile, flooring, chemical and healthcare businesses, the company harnesses a shared sense of integrity and excellence to positively impact the world for generations.

Discover more about Milliken's curious minds and inspired solutions at Milliken.com and on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Learn more about the general tasks related to this opportunity below, as well as required skills.

SUMMARY :

The Process Improvement Manager of the SiVance Plant in Gainesville, Florida is responsible for leading the Process Engineering function of the Site.

Primary responsibilities include managing assigned process engineering staff to ensure scheduled products are manufactured in a safe and environmentally responsible manner while meeting quality requirements and customer delivery expectations.

As a key member of the Plant Leadership Team, the expertise and leadership of the Process Improvement Manager is essential to drive continuous improvement of safety, quality, and productivity to enable growth of the SiVance business unit.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

SAFETY, ENVIRONMENT, and RESPONSIBLE CARE

• Ensure safe operations of processes and equipment, maintaining compliance with federal, state, local regulations and Milliken and SiVance rules and procedures.
• Actively support the Plant Associate and Process Safety Programs.
• Responsible for improving the plant safety performance. This is accomplished by developing systems to detect and act on safety opportunities.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following :

• Ensure safety incidents are thoroughly investigated, and actions implemented to prevent recurrence.
• Ensure associates have the adequate training necessary to safely perform their job.
• Enforce safety rules.
• Encourage participation in the plant Safety Process.
• Ensure safety audits are completed and all action items are promptly addressed.
• Complete annual safety training requirements on time and ensure staff does also.
• Be aware of the relevant requirements of the Responsible Care Management System (RC-14001) and follow plant procedures to ensure compliance to requirements.
• Understand the RC-14001 Significant Aspects of your job and help ensure controls are in place to reduce or eliminate negative impacts.
• Take actions and identify, communicate, and implement ideas to minimize waste, prevent pollution and conserve energy.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of the plant environmental, health, safety, security, and Responsible Care performance and programs.
• Promote recycling within the Team.

QUALITY

• Implement and maintain the quality systems established by the Quality Manual and other quality procedures.
• Responsible for improving the plant quality performance. This is accomplished by developing systems to detect and act on quality opportunities.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following :

• Ensure instances of off-quality are thoroughly investigated, and actions implemented to prevent recurrence.
• Ensure procedures are adequate, established, and followed.
• Be knowledgeable of ISO-9001 requirements and ensure compliance.
• Review, improve, and approve relevant procedures.

DELIVERY / DAILY OPERATIONS

• Responsible for Supporting systems which allow the plant to achieve 100% on-time shipments. Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following :
• Coordinate scheduling of process equipment with Supply Chain.
• Coordinate scheduling of maintenance activities (breakdowns, PMs, etc.) to minimize equipment downtime.
• Ensure required reviews are completed and production procedures are available when they are needed.
• Support systems for tracking performance versus schedule.
• Maintain system for tracking Process Reliability, including detailed downtime tracking.
• Implement changes that will improve Process Reliability and adherence to schedule.
• Ensure instances of late orders due to Operations are thoroughly investigated, and actions implemented to prevent recurrence.

ASSOCIATE DEVELOPMENT and MORALE

• Work with Site Manager and Human Resources to ensure appropriate Operator staffing levels; participate and / or organize interview teams when hiring is needed.
• Ensure required performance reviews of Process Engineers are complete on time.
• Responsible for the development of assigned management associates. Development is accomplished by the following :
• Observations of their daily work activities and routine coaching on how to improve.
• Observations of their interactions with people and routine coaching on how to improve.
• Regular appraisal (at least twice per year) of their performance.
• Education and counseling, as necessary, to improve performance.
• Discussions regarding their career aspirations and guidance on career development.
• Manage (with Supervisors) the process training system, including team assignment, equipment assignments, competency determination, and pay progression.
• Responsible for ensuring that each associate in area of responsibility completes the required education (CBTs, GEM courses, Safety Training, etc.) on time.
• Review Operations disciplinary conversations and actions, to ensure consistent application of HR policies.
• Responsible for identifying morale issues, acting upon those issues, and reviewing the actions and plans.
• Responsible for reviewing and revising Job Specifications on required frequency.

COST

• Responsible for directing team activities within budget and reducing operating costs. Specific duties include :
• Control labor costs.
• Establish systems to control supply costs.
• Reducing production waste (rework, contamination, etc.).
• Identify other cost reduction opportunities and implement projects.
• Responsible for ensuring accurate reporting and approval of time worked.
• Review and approve cost standards to ensure material balance and cycle times accurately reflect history and expected performance.

OTHER

• Coordinate with Engineering and Engineering Services departments on installation and start-up of new processes or projects, becoming familiar with all aspects to ensure smooth transition to Operations ownership.
• Ensure reliable and rapid introduction and standardization of new products and processes into manufacturing.
• If more than one Operations Manager, work closely with other Operations Manager(s), for consistency across Production, and to strengthen plant team.
• Back up the Process Engineers and other Operations Manager(s), when needed.
• Participate in the plant Operations Leadership Team (OLT), communicating relevant information, and helping to determine appropriate measures of plant performance.
• Lead cross-functional teams and complete other tasks as assigned by Site Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required :

• BS or MS in Engineering, Chemistry or related coursework. At least 5 years related experience in one or more of the following : plant operations, R&D, pilot plant operations, quality assurance.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills needed for problem solving and troubleshooting.
• Strong attention to detail balanced with ability to see the big picture for overall strategy implementation.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, work under pressure, juggle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong managerial and interpersonal skills dealing with both hourly and exempt associates.
• Highly developed written and oral communication skills.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Preferred :

• Experience in process or project engineering; production engineer / superintendent / team leader, or previous manufacturing experience (intern, co-op, or fulltime).
• Familiarity with OSHA 1910.119 Process Safety Management requirements.
• Statistical Process Control (SPC) training and / or experience, ISO 9002 requirements and / or auditor training, and cosmetic industry quality requirements.
• SAP knowledge - experience in use and data review.
• Other preferred skills include clear, concise verbal and written communication, ability to interact with all levels of management, and the ability to detect developing trends or signals that impact production performance.

Milliken is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, including but not limited to lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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