Production Engineer

Vantage Specialty Chemicals; Englewood (OH); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Vantage Specialty Chemicals in Englewood, OH, is seeking a hands-on Production Engineer to drive day-to-day process optimization at our Englewood manufacturing site, reducing downtime and waste while improving safety, quality and productivity.

This full-time, on-site role blends production and process engineering with continuous improvement and project execution; requires a Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering and 1–3 years of relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or related.
• Approximately 1–3 years of hands‑on experience in manufacturing, production engineering, or process engineering.
• Experience in chemical manufacturing is preferred; similar process‑based manufacturing environments will also be considered.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to identify root causes and translate findings into practical solutions.
• Experience with production metrics, downtime analysis, or OEE is highly desirable.
• Exposure to engineering projects, process improvement, or manufacturing automation is a plus.
• A proactive, hands‑on approach and the ability to collaborate effectively with operators and cross‑functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Monitor manufacturing operations and identify opportunities to reduce downtime, waste, and process losses.
• Collect and analyze production data to prioritize improvement opportunities and measure results.
• Lead root cause investigations and implement practical solutions to recurring operational issues.
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Planning, and R&D to improve process efficiency and product consistency.
• Support the development and implementation of an Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) program to measure and standardize production losses.
• Identify opportunities for automation and process improvements, supporting projects from initial evaluation through implementation.
• Develop and improve standard operating procedures, work instructions, and process controls.
• Track key performance indicators and support continuous improvement initiatives across the site.

Skills

Process optimization

Root cause analysis

Data analysis

OEE experience

Cross-functional

Manufacturing experience

Problem solving

Automation awareness

Education

Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Excel

Automation concepts

Job description

At Vantage, we’re looking for a hands‑on Production Engineer to drive day‑to‑day process optimization at our Englewood manufacturing site. Working directly with production teams, you’ll identify inefficiencies, reduce downtime and waste, and implement practical solutions that improve safety, quality, and productivity.

This role combines production and process engineering with continuous improvement and project execution. You’ll have the opportunity to implement quick wins on the production floor while also identifying larger engineering and automation projects that deliver long‑term impact.

What You’ll Do

• Monitor manufacturing operations and identify opportunities to reduce downtime, waste, and process losses.
• Collect and analyze production data to prioritize improvement opportunities and measure results.
• Lead root cause investigations and implement practical solutions to recurring operational issues.
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Planning, and R&D to improve process efficiency and product consistency.
• Support the development and implementation of an Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) program to measure and standardize production losses.
• Identify opportunities for automation and process improvements, supporting projects from initial evaluation through implementation.
• Develop and improve standard operating procedures, work instructions, and process controls.
• Track key performance indicators and support continuous improvement initiatives across the site.
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or related.
• Approximately 1–3 years of relevant hands‑on experience in manufacturing, production engineering, or process engineering.
• Experience in chemical manufacturing is preferred; similar process‑based manufacturing environments will also be considered.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to identify root causes and translate findings into practical solutions.
• Experience with production metrics, downtime analysis, or OEE is highly desirable.
• Exposure to engineering projects, process improvement, or manufacturing automation is a plus.
• A proactive, hands‑on approach and the ability to collaborate effectively with operators and cross‑functional teams.

This is a full‑time, on‑site position at our Englewood manufacturing facility, working Monday through Friday, with occasional schedule flexibility based on operational needs.

Pay

The estimated base pay range for this position is: $80,000 - $110,000 annually. Actual pay will be determined based on education, certifications, experience, qualifications, skills and geographic location.

About Vantage

Vantage provides specialty ingredients and solutions across personal care, pharmaceuticals, food, and other markets. We combine chemistry, technical expertise, and customer‑focused innovation to deliver solutions that make a difference.

At Vantage, you’ll join a collaborative team where your ideas, technical skills, and commitment to continuous improvement can create meaningful operational impact.