Process Engineering Manager

Radiac Abrasives, Inc.; Oswego Township (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Company 401(k) with company match

Paid vacation

Job summary

Radiac Abrasives, Inc. in Oswego, IL is seeking a Process Engineering Manager to drive productivity, quality, and safety. The role partners with Operations to resolve issues, lead continuous improvement using Lean and Six Sigma, and support new product introductions and equipment implementations. Requires 5+ years in manufacturing/process engineering with DOE and project leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline; 5+ years manufacturing/process engineering.
• Lean and Six Sigma methodologies required.
• Green Belt or equivalent; Black Belt is a plus.
• DOE training or experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify and resolve manufacturing issues impacting productivity/quality/safety.
• Supervise engineering and continuous improvement staff as assigned.
• Lead Lean/Six Sigma projects to improve productivity, cost, quality and inventory.
• Coordinate cross-functional improvement initiatives and project tracking.
• Evaluate and approve new materials, equipment, and manufacturing processes.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Process optimization

DOE

Project management

Communication skills

PivotTables

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Lean Six Sigma training

Six Sigma Green Belt

Black Belt certification (plus)

DOE training

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office

PivotTables

Data analysis tools

Job description

Process Engineering Manager

Oswego, IL (Onsite)

$90,000 - $100,000 Annually

Radiac Abrasives, part of the global Tyrolit Group, is a leading manufacturer of engineered grinding and finishing solutions for the metalworking industry. With more than a century of innovation, Radiac partners with manufacturers to improve productivity, precision, and process performance.

Radiac offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; disability insurance; company-paid life insurance; a 401(k) with company match; and paid vacation; and voluntary supplemental insurance options, along with opportunities to grow your career within a global organization.

The Process Engineering Manager supports manufacturing operations to ensure daily productivity, quality, cost, and safety objectives are achieved. This position works closely with Operations to identify and resolve manufacturing issues, improve existing processes, and implement continuous improvement initiatives that reduce cost, improve quality, increase productivity, and enhance workplace safety. The Process Engineering Manager also supports the introduction of new products, equipment, and manufacturing processes, including equipment installation, qualification, start-up, process development, and optimization.

Essential Functions:

• Partner with Operations to identify and resolve manufacturing issues that impact productivity, quality, cost, safety, or the successful completion of manufacturing orders.
• Supervise engineering, continuous improvement, or technical personnel as assigned.
• Develop and implement continuous improvement projects focused on increasing productivity, reducing costs, improving quality, enhancing safety, and optimizing manufacturing processes.
• Lead cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and other structured problem-solving methodologies to achieve measurable improvements in productivity, quality, cost, and inventory.
• Develop and maintain systems for prioritizing, tracking, and reporting continuous improvement projects. Conduct regular reviews with Operations leadership to evaluate project progress, address barriers, and identify new improvement 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 needs, workflow, process parameters, tooling, and production methods.
• Support the installation, qualification, and start-up of new equipment and manufacturing work cells to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient production.
• 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.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate across manufacturing, engineering, quality, and leadership teams.
• Demonstrated ability to apply structured problem-solving and root-cause analysis techniques, including fishbone diagrams, 5 Whys, 8D, Pareto analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), and similar methodologies.
• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles, cellular manufacturing, time and motion studies, process optimization, and manufacturing ergonomics..
• Strong analytical skills with experience collecting, interpreting, and using manufacturing data to drive decisions and improvements.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office and Excel; experience with PivotTables and data analysis tools preferred.
• Working knowledge of basic hydraulic principles, including force, area, and pressure.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while working effectively in a hands-on manufacturing environment.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline, or 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 required.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent practical experience preferred; Black Belt certification is a plus.
• Design of Experiments (DOE) training or equivalent practical experience preferred.
• Experience supporting manufacturing process improvements, equipment implementation, and new product introductions preferred.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• This position works in both office and manufacturing environments and requires regular presence on the production floor.
• Ability to stand, sit, reach, stoop, bend, and perform other physical activities necessary to observe and support manufacturing processes.
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders as needed to access equipment and production areas.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• Visual acuity, with or without correction, sufficient to read drawings, specifications, instructions, and other technical documentation and to closely inspect equipment, processes, and manufactured parts.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to moving mechanical equipment, dust, noise, heat, vibration, and varying temperatures.
• Required personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn while working in designated production areas.

• Supervise engineering, continuous improvement, or technical personnel as assigned.