Process Engineer

Klöckner Pentaplast Europe GmbH & Co. KG; West Virginia; On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Klöckner Pentaplast Europe GmbH & Co. KG in West Virginia seeks a senior process engineer to lead a step-change in manufacturing performance.

You will direct waste reduction, yield improvements and productivity initiatives on the shop floor, partnering with site leadership to deliver measurable results. The role requires a strong Lean and Six Sigma background, 7+ years of manufacturing process engineering, and a hands-on approach to solving complex technical challenges while driving

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Chemical, Mechanical, Manufacturing or Process Engineering.
• 7+ years of process engineering experience in manufacturing.
• Proven track record in yield, productivity and efficiency improvements.
• Strong Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement background; Six Sigma Green/Black Belt desirable.
• Experience leading cross-functional improvement projects from concept to implementation.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in structured problem-solving, SPC and DOE.

Responsibilities

• Lead waste reduction, yield improvement and productivity programmes with measurable outcomes.
• Assess manufacturing processes to identify opportunities and execute high-impact initiatives.
• Analyze production data to identify losses and implement sustainable corrective actions using Lean, Six Sigma, DOE and SPC.
• Collaborate with Site Manager and Operations to set priorities and accelerate implementation.
• Lead cross-functional projects from diagnosis to implementation and handover to Operations.
• Develop and monitor performance metrics and visual management systems for yield, waste and productivity.
• Identify, evaluate and pursue capital investment opportunities to improve performance.
• Coach operators, supervisors and technical teams in continuous improvement methodologies.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt)

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Data analysis

DOE

SPC

On-floor presence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical/Mechanical/Manufacturing or Process Engineering

Job description

kp is a globally recognised leader in the packaging and specialty film industry, renowned for its unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation. The need to act on climate change has never been clearer, so we incorporate sustainability into everything we do by #InvestingInBetter - creating innovative products that enhance product protection, shelf life and contribute to reducing the overall carbon footprint.

At kp, we are passionate about ensuring our customers' satisfaction, and we strive to achieve this goal by focusing all our efforts on meeting their evolving needs. Our dedication to drive a positive change in the packaging industry with a focus on quality and sustainability has earned us a reputation as a trusted partner for businesses worldwide.

We are seeking a highly experienced and results‑driven Senior Process Engineer to lead a step‑change in manufacturing performance at our West Virginia facility.

This is a high‑impact role with a clear business mandate. Significantly improve manufacturing yield, reduce process waste and increase overall productivity. The site has substantial untapped improvement potential, and we are looking for someone who can quickly assess opportunities, identify root causes and deliver measurable operational improvements within a short timeframe.

This role is ideally suited to someone who thrives in turnaround environments, enjoys solving complex manufacturing challenges and has a proven track record of rapidly translating technical analysis into tangible business results.

Working closely with the Site Manager and the local leadership team, the successful candidate will lead cross‑functional improvement initiatives while leveraging support from our central Technical and Business Excellence (BEXE) teams. Success will depend equally on technical expertise, strong project management, stakeholder engagement and the ability to drive execution on the shop floor.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the site's waste reduction, yield improvement and productivity programme, delivering measurable and sustainable operational improvements.
• Rapidly assess manufacturing processes to identify improvement opportunities, prioritise actions and execute high‑impact initiatives.
• Analyse production data to identify process losses, determine root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions using Lean, Six Sigma and structured problem‑solving methodologies.
• Partner closely with the Site Manager and Operations leadership team to establish priorities, remove barriers and ensure rapid implementation of improvement initiatives.
• Lead cross‑functional projects from initial diagnosis through implementation, validation and successful handover to Operations.
• Drive continuous improvement through process capability studies, statistical analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), Statistical Process Control (SPC) and other engineering tools where appropriate.
• Develop and implement performance metrics and visual management systems to monitor yield, waste, productivity and process stability.
• Identify, evaluate and support capital investment opportunities that improve manufacturing performance, reliability and productivity.
• Work collaboratively with Maintenance, Quality, Production and Technical teams to optimise manufacturing processes and equipment performance.
• Leverage the expertise of the central Technical and Business Excellence (BEXE) teams to accelerate improvement initiatives and implement best practices.
• Coach and support operators, supervisors and technical teams in continuous improvement methodologies to build sustainable capability across the site.
• Ensure all improvement activities are executed safely and in compliance with company quality, environmental and regulatory standards.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Manufacturing or Process Engineering (or equivalent).
• Minimum 7 years of process engineering experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success delivering significant improvements in manufacturing yield, productivity, efficiency and operational performance.
• Strong Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement background; Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification is highly desirable.
• Proven experience leading cross‑functional operational improvement projects from concept through implementation.
• Strong analytical capability with experience applying structured problem‑solving techniques, process capability analysis, SPC and DOE.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results at pace.
• Experience working in fast‑paced manufacturing environments where responsiveness, adaptability and execution are critical.
• Strong communication and influencing skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Hands‑on approach with a passion for being present on the manufacturing floor and driving change through collaboration.

What Success Looks Like:

In this role, success will be measured by your ability to quickly understand our manufacturing processes, identify the highest‑value improvement opportunities, and work collaboratively with the site leadership team to deliver sustainable improvements in yield, waste reduction and productivity. You will be someone who combines deep technical expertise with a relentless focus on execution, enabling the site to achieve a step‑change in operational performance while building lasting continuous improvement capability.

At kp, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is vital to our global success. We welcome applicants from all identities, ideas, perspectives and experiences and encourage people from under‑represented backgrounds to apply. We aim to create an inclusive culture where our employees feel empowered to play to their strengths and see themselves reflected in the organization without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual preference, marital status or other protected class.