Process Manager, Forming Tools

Oerlikon; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

HSA contributions

401(k) with match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Holidays and floaters

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Employee referral bonus

Job summary

Oerlikon in Murfreesboro, TN is seeking a Process Manager to act as the operational SME for Forming Tools across plastic, aluminum, and metal forming. You will develop, document, standardize, train, audit, and continuously improve manufacturing and service processes to ensure quality, on-time delivery, and customer satisfaction.

You will partner with Operations, Quality, Sales, Engineering, BTS, and Customer Service to drive process excellence and ensure SOPs and work instructions are followed

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum 5 years in a manufacturing or production environment with accountability for process execution and customer requirements.
• Experience developing, documenting, auditing, and improving manufacturing processes and standard work.
• Experience supporting quality systems, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of production workflows, operational excellence methodologies, and process control principles.
• Coating industry or Forming Tools experience preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to influence across functions without direct supervisory authority.

Responsibilities

• Promote and ensure consistent execution of SOPs, work instructions, and best practices across Centers of Competence.
• Identify process variations and implement corrective actions to improve consistency, quality, and performance.
• Develop, document, maintain, and continuously improve standardized production processes and procedures.
• Conduct regular process audits to verify compliance with standards and quality requirements.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, BTS, and Engineering teams to investigate deviations and implement solutions.
• Lead or support corrective and preventive actions for nonconformities, customer complaints, audits, and improvements.
• Ensure activities comply with company, customer, ISO, HSE, and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Organizational skills

Influence across functions

Hands-on manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

We are looking for a Process Manager for our Murfreesboro, TN facility. In this role, you will serve as the operational subject matter expert for Forming Tools processes across plastic, aluminum, and metal forming applications. This individual contributor role is responsible for developing, documenting, standardizing, training, auditing, and continuously improving manufacturing and service processes to ensure consistent execution, quality, on-time delivery, and customer satisfaction.

The Process Manager works closely with Operations, Quality, Sales, Engineering, BTS, and Customer Service to support business growth through process excellence. This position plays a critical role in ensuring that established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and quality requirements are consistently followed across all Centers of Competence. Through training, process audits, problem solving, and continuous improvement initiatives, the Process Manager drives operational consistency, compliance, and best practices throughout the organization.

The role requires a hands-on approach to understanding, implementing, and improving production processes while serving as a technical expert and trusted resource for both internal stakeholders and customers.

We Offer

Aside from a dynamic global culture and leading market position, we are proud to offer our employees development opportunities, competitive salary and a robust benefit program ALL available on first day of employment!

• Comprehensive medical and prescription drug plan with low premiums, company sponsored HSA contributions and without cumbersome waiting periods to keep you going strong.
• Excellent Dental and Vision coverage.
• Employee Assistance, Financial and Wellness programs to help improve all aspects of your life journey.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with significant company match and financial planning and education options to help you achieve your retirement goals
• Tuition reimbursement and internal education resources to satisfy your love of learning so you can continue to grow with us!
• Generous paid time off to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
• 10 observed company holidays and 2 floaters, to occasionally extend your weekends or time off.
• 100% company paid life insurance and disability insurance
• Employee Referral Bonus program because why not to bring your friends to work everyday!

Your Responsibilities

Process Standardization & Compliance

• Promote and ensure consistent execution of approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and best practices across all Centers of Competence.
• Identify process variations and implement corrective actions to improve consistency, quality, and operational performance.
• Develop, document, maintain, and continuously improve standardized production processes and procedures.
• Conduct regular process audits to verify compliance with established standards, quality requirements, and operational expectations.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, BTS, and Engineering teams to investigate process deviations and implement sustainable solutions.
• Lead or support corrective and preventive actions related to process nonconformities, customer complaints, audit findings, and improvement opportunities.
• Ensure all process-related activities comply with company, customer, ISO, HSE, and regulatory requirements.

Technical Expertise & Continuous Improvement

• Serve as the operational and technical expert for the assigned Forming Tools segment.
• Develop and implement new production methods, technologies, and process improvements to enhance quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with Fixture Design and Engineering teams to develop improved manufacturing solutions.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives in Operational Excellence (OOE), Quality, Safety, HSE, and productivity.
• Identify and share best practices across facilities to drive standardization and operational excellence.

Training & Capability Development

• Develop and maintain process training materials, documentation, and deployment plans.
• Train and coach local teams on approved processes and standards.
• Ensure process knowledge is effectively transferred and sustained at each Center of Competence.
• Conduct annual process training and refresher training as needed to maintain competency and compliance.
• Support onboarding and skill development activities related to Forming Tools processes.

Customer & Cross-Functional Support

• Work closely with Sales and Customer Service teams to understand customer requirements and translate needs into effective operational processes.
• Support customer interactions related to technical processes, quality concerns, and operational capabilities.
• Partner with Quality teams to investigate customer complaints and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain effective working relationships with customers and internal stakeholders to support business growth and customer satisfaction.
• Support business development initiatives by providing technical process expertise and operational insights.

Audit & Quality Support

• Participate in internal, external, customer, ISO, and quality audits as the process subject matter expert.
• Drive closure of process-related audit findings and corrective actions.
• Monitor process-related performance metrics and recommend improvements to achieve business objectives.
• Support initiatives focused on reducing Cost of Non-Quality (CONQ), improving first-pass yield, and enhancing customer experience

Your Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a manufacturing or production environment with accountability for process execution and customer requirements.
• Experience developing, documenting, auditing, and improving manufacturing processes and standard work.
• Experience supporting quality systems, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of production workflows, operational excellence methodologies, and process control principles.
• Experience working with customer specifications and quality requirements.
• Coating industry or Forming Tools experience preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to influence across functions without direct supervisory authority.

Why Oerlikon

Team Spirit is one of our core values. Collaborating across borders, languages and cultures is key to us delivering results. Supporting our peoples growth and development is a top priority. We believe in the creative power of a team that draws strength from welcoming a broad expanse of knowledge, experience and perspectives.

#joinoerlikonus #joinourteam

About Oerlikon

Oerlikon is a global leader in surface technologies and advanced materials. With a unique portfolio spanning surface engineering, high-performance materials, coating equipment and components, we make products better by enhancing performance, efficiency and sustainability. Oerlikon serves a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, energy, medical, luxury, semiconductors and tooling. Head-quartered in Pfäffikon, Switzerland, Oerlikon operates in 38 countries with approximately 9,500 employees, achieving sales of CHF 1.6 billion in 2024.

We offer a wide variety of job profiles in a dynamic, supportive environment where people are empowered to grow and reach their full potential — guided by our core values of integrity, team spirit, excellence and innovation.

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www.oerlikon.com