Process Engineer

AkzoNobel; Dammam; On-site; SAR 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

AkzoNobel in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, is seeking a process improvement engineer to drive continuous improvements in manufacturing safety, quality, productivity and cost performance. You will identify production losses through data analysis, shop-floor observation and Lean methods, and develop standardized work with guidance from the site team.

Ideal candidates have 0–3 years of experience in process engineering, familiarity with OEE, CIL, 5S and RCA, and solid Excel skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Industrial, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 0–3 years of relevant experience in process engineering, manufacturing or continuous improvement.
• Fresh engineering graduates with internships or academic projects are welcome to apply.
• Familiarity with OEE, CIL, autonomous maintenance, 5S, standard work and root cause analysis is an advantage.
• Good analytical skills and proficiency in Microsoft Excel; Power BI experience is an advantage.
• Familiarity with SAP or a similar manufacturing ERP system is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Analyze manufacturing processes, batch cycle times, material flow and equipment utilization to identify bottlenecks and improvement opportunities.
• Conduct time studies, capacity assessments and line-balancing exercises to support realistic operating standards.
• Maintain an improvement action plan with clear owners, milestones and measurable benefits; verify improvements are sustained.
• Conduct improvement projects to drive performance and reduce losses.
• Coordinate corrective actions with Production and Maintenance and verify their effectiveness.
• Support daily performance reviews through dashboards, loss analysis and action tracking.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel

Power BI

Communication

Problem solving

Shop floor experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical/Industrial/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SAP ERP

ERP systems

Job description

About AkzoNobel

Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.

For more information please visit www.akzonobel.com © 2026 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.

About AkzoNobel

Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together. For more information please visit www.akzonobel.com © 2026 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.

Job Purpose

Drive continuous improvement of manufacturing processes to improve safety, quality, productivity, equipment effectiveness and cost performance. Identify and eliminate production losses through data analysis, shop-floor observation and improvement projects. Develop and sustain Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), Cleaning, Inspection and Lubrication (CIL), root cause analysis (RCA), standard work and Lean practices in collaboration with Production, Maintenance, Quality and HSE, with guidance appropriate to experience.

Key Accountabilities

Process improvement and loss reduction

• Analyze manufacturing processes, batch cycle times, material flow and equipment utilization to identify bottlenecks and improvement opportunities.
• Carry out assigned improvement projects to increase throughput and labor productivity and reduce waiting time, changeover time, waste and manufacturing costs.
• Conduct time studies, capacity assessments and line-balancing exercises to support realistic operating standards.
• Maintain an improvement action plan with clear owners, milestones and measurable benefits; verify that improvements are sustained.
• Conduct improvement projects to drive perfomce in MME ( Material Manufacturing Efficency)

OEE and performance management

• Support reliable OEE measurement for relevant equipment using agreed definitions for availability, performance and quality.
• Improve the accuracy of downtime recording, loss classification and production performance data.
• Analyze major losses, including breakdowns, minor stops, reduced operating speed, changeovers and quality losses.
• Coordinate corrective actions with Production and Maintenance and verify their effectiveness.
• Support daily performance reviews through clear dashboards, loss analysis and action tracking.
• Incorperate the sustainable use of PP ( Performance Poratal )

CIL and autonomous maintenance

• Develop and implement equipment-specific CIL standards with Maintenance and HSE, including tasks, frequencies, responsibilities and visual instructions.
• Support operator training in approved routine equipment care and early identification of abnormalities.
• Maintain a system for recording, escalating and closing equipment abnormalities.
• Audit CIL completion and effectiveness and address recurring gaps.
• Ensure operator tasks remain within approved competence and safety limits, with specialist work referred to Maintenance.

Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Actions

• Conduct structured RCA for recurring production losses, equipment stoppages, process deviations, quality defects and yield losses, with guidance from the Production Manager and relevant technical teams.
• Use tools such as 5 Why, fishbone diagrams and Pareto analysis to identify and verify root causes using process data and shop-floor observations.
• Develop corrective and preventive actions with clear owners and completion dates, prioritizing actions that prevent recurrence.
• Track actions to closure and verify effectiveness through performance data and follow-up checks.
• Incorporate lessons learned into SOPs, CIL standards, process controls and operator training; extend relevant improvements to similar equipment or processes.
• Support supervisors and operators in practical problem-solving and maintain records of investigations, actions and verified results.

Role Requirements (continued)

Standardization, 5S and capability development

• Develop and update standard operating procedures, work instructions, process standards and visual controls.
• Coordinate 5S improvements and audits to improve workplace organization, accessibility and operational discipline.
• Support operator and supervisor training in standard work, equipment care and structured problem-solving.
• Use process confirmation and follow-up checks to sustain improvements across shifts.

Process quality and troubleshooting

• Investigate recurring process deviations, rework, yield losses and batch inconsistencies with Production and Quality.
• Support controlled trials to improve mixing, dispersion, transfer and filling processes.
• Document trial results and secure required approvals before changes are incorporated into routine production.

Safety and change management

• Integrate HSE requirements into improvement projects, equipment care standards and process changes.
• Support risk assessments and the site Management of Change process.
• Identify opportunities to reduce manual handling, material exposure, spills and unnecessary operator movement.
• Support equipment modifications and investment proposals through capacity analysis, technical requirements and benefit calculations.

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Industrial, Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline is required.
• 0–3 years of relevant experience in process engineering, manufacturing or continuous improvement. Fresh engineering graduates with relevant internships or academic projects are welcome to apply .
• Exposure to paints, coatings, chemicals or a comparable batch-manufacturing environment is an advantage.
• Basic understanding of OEE, CIL, autonomous maintenance, 5S, standard work and root cause analysis; practical exposure is an advantage
• Familiarity with time studies, bottleneck analysis, changeover reduction and corrective action follow-up is preferred.
• Good analytical skills and proficiency in Microsoft Excel; Power BI experience is an advantage.
• Basic understanding of manufacturing process controls, quality requirements and safe systems of work
• Familiarity with SAP or a similar manufacturing ERP system is an advantage.
• Lean Six Sigma training or certification is preferred but not mandatory.
• Hands‑on approach and willingness to spend substantial time on the shop floor.
• Ability to engage operators and collaborate across functions.
• Clear communication and willingness to develop practical training and coaching skills.
• Structured problem-solving, ownership and disciplined follow-through.
• Ability to organize assigned improvement activities, learn quickly and demonstrate results.
• Good written and spoken English.

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.