Process Improvement Engineer

Strategic Materials; Kentucky; On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Sibelco is seeking a Process Improvement Engineer at our Fairfield site to lead greenfield and brownfield projects that advance process performance and safety. You will drive Lean and Six Sigma initiatives, optimize equipment and workflows, and partner with operations to deliver on-time, on-budget improvements.

Responsibilities include leading projects from concept to ramp-up, supporting maintenance and reliability teams, performing feasibility studies, and documenting procedures to sustain

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent by experience
• 7-10 years of experience in an industrial environment
• Trained on Lean & Six Sigma tools
• English – Advanced verbal and writing
• Local language of the cluster of base and main operations – proficient verbal & writing

Responsibilities

• Lead HSE, sustainment, and growth projects across assigned sites or clusters, managing activities from concept development through operational ramp-up in alignment with the company stage-gate process
• Provide technical support for emergency repairs, maintenance initiatives, and small capital expenditure projects at plant sites
• Collaborate with site and cluster leadership to identify operational gaps, develop corrective actions, and implement process improvement initiatives
• Support Health, Safety, and Environmental campaigns and ensure project activities align with HSE requirements and standards
• Contribute to technical and economic feasibility studies for proposed projects and process changes
• Facilitate idea generation and project development for the multi-year improvement plan in partnership with operations, reliability, and process excellence teams
• Support project commissioning activities, including operator training and successful handover to operations
• Develop and maintain process equipment manuals, operating procedures, and related technical documentation
• Ensure the long-term sustainability and performance of implemented projects and process improvements

Skills

English (Advanced)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Lean Six Sigma

Job description

Process Improvement Engineer Location: Fairfield

At Sibelco, we advance life through materials. For over 150 years, we’ve been a trusted leader in sourcing, transforming, and distributing specialty industrial minerals. Our work powers progress across industries as diverse as glass, ceramics, construction, coatings, polymers, and water purification. Beyond our materials, we’re proud of our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and empowering people from all walks of life to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Job Description:

Purpose: Lead greenfield and brownfield projects across a site or cluster to advance glass recycling best practices, improve existing processes, and support operational excellence and capital programs. Deliver projects that improve product and process quality, line performance, productivity, energy efficiency, safety, and environmental outcomes—on or ahead of schedule and within budget. Execute rapid-response projects when a facility shows declining operational performance.

Responsibilities:

• Lead HSE, sustainment, and growth projects across assigned sites or clusters, managing activities from concept development through operational ramp-up in alignment with the company stage-gate process.
• Provide technical support for emergency repairs, maintenance initiatives, and small capital expenditure projects at plant sites.
• Collaborate with site and cluster leadership to identify operational gaps, develop corrective actions, and implement process improvement initiatives.
• Support Health, Safety, and Environmental campaigns and ensure project activities align with HSE requirements and standards.
• Contribute to technical and economic feasibility studies for proposed projects and process changes.
• Facilitate idea generation and project development for the multi-year improvement plan in partnership with operations, reliability, and process excellence teams.
• Support project commissioning activities, including operator training and successful handover to operations.
• Develop and maintain process equipment manuals, operating procedures, and related technical documentation.
• Ensure the long-term sustainability and performance of implemented projects and process improvements.

Competencies:

• Decision Making: Able to respond to immediate problems by exercising good judgement from available information and established guidelines
• Optimizes Work Processes
• Knows the operating model processes in own area of activity
• Organizes self, people and activities for standard processes
• Collaborates
• Encourages team collaboration and creates a sense of belonging and inclusivity
• Develops good relationships with others
• Actively solicits ideas and opinions from others to efficiently and effectively accomplish specific objectives
• Drives Engagement
• Knows what drives each team member and uses it to get the best out of him/her
• Makes team members feel that their contributions are important
• Integrity & Trust

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent by experience
• At least 7-10 years of experience in an industrial environment
• Trained on Lean & Six Sigma tools
• English – Advanced verbal and writing
• Local language of the cluster of base and main operations – proficient verbal & writing

Employee Type: Permanent

Why Join Us?

Sibelco is more than a workplace—it’s a community that encourages growth, innovation, and collaboration. Here’s what you can look forward to when you join our team:

• Meet Our People: Careers
• Learn About Our Recruitment Process: Learn More
• Discover Our Sustainability Goals: Sibelco priorities

We also welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to providing reasonable adjustments to support you through the selection process.