Senior Manager/Associate Director Process Engineer (m/f/x) - Midwest US

Mutares SE & Co. KGaA; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International team

Exciting work environment

Flat hierarchies

Team events and offsites

Job summary

Mutares SE & Co. KGaA is seeking a senior Lean Production lead to drive restructuring and operational improvement across manufacturing functions in our global portfolio.

You will lead lean initiatives, define roadmaps, and push for EBITDA and cash improvements through optimized processes and organization. The ideal candidate has 6+ years in process industries, preferably with chemical exposure, and deep expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, and asset management.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering or a related field with outstanding results.
• Minimum 6 years' experience in the process industry, preferably chemical, in a consulting setting.
• Expertise in asset management, process excellence, and organizational effectiveness.
• Specialist knowledge in Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement / Six Sigma.
• Business fluency in English; other languages are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Lean Production stream in restructuring and turnaround projects with hands-on leadership.
• Deploy Turnaround Lean for Production; define roadmaps and optimize processes, organization, and systems to improve EBITDA and cash.
• Guide local teams, monitor action plans, run breakthrough initiatives and trainings in core process engineering and Lean methods (VSM, PFMEA/Control Plans, SPC, DOE, SMED, 5S, problem-solving).
• Identify benchmarks, enforce basics, deploy best practices, unlock synergies across manufacturing, quality, maintenance, and engineering.
• Support M&A due diligence with operational assessments including process flows, capacity/bottleneck analysis, and CapEx/OpEx implications.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Process Optimization

English

Asset Management

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Mutares SE & Co. KGaA, Munich (www.mutares.com), as a listed private equity holding company, acquires medium-sized companies in special situations, which show significant operational improvement potential and are sold again after undergoing a repositioning and stabilization process. Mutares actively supports its portfolio companies with its own investment and operations teams and through strategic add-on acquisitions. The focus is on companies with revenues ranging from EUR 100 million to EUR 750 million, across various industries. The aim is to achieve a clear value increase with a focus on sustainable, long-term growth of the portfolio company.

Your Tasks

• Lead the Lean Production stream in restructuring and turnaround projects, providing clear leadership, strategic direction, and hands‑on expertise to drive Operational Excellence
• Deploy Turnaround Lean approach for Production, define roadmaps, optimize manufacturing processes, organization, and systems to improve operational and financial performance (EBITDA & Cash)
• Engage local teams, closely monitor execution of action plans, lead breakthrough initiatives and workshops, and provide guidance and training in core process engineering and Lean methods (VSM, PFMEA / Control Plans, SPC, DOE, SMED, 5S, problem‑solving).
• Identify benchmarks, enforce operational basics, deploy best practices, and unlock synergies across all production‑related functions including Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, and Engineering
• Support the M&A team in due diligence through expert operational assessments, including process flows, capacity and bottleneck analysis, and CapEx/OpEx implications for value creation roadmaps

Your Profile

• Successfully completed a degree in Engineering or a related field with outstanding results
• At least 6 years of experience in the process industry, preferably in the chemical sector, combined with the ability to work in a consulting environment
• High level of expertise in asset management, process excellence, performance management, and organizational effectiveness
• Subject matter expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma, and related methodologies
• Business fluency in English with the ability to communicate in a well‑structured and concise manner; another language is a plus
• Willingness to travel up to 4 days per week (typically Monday – Thursday) and to work in an international environment

What Mutares Offers

• Work in a highly motivated, international, committed, and agile team that enjoys working together
• Exciting work environment with varied challenges, strategic influence, and tasks for continuous personal and professional development
• Flat hierarchies, fast decision‑making processes, and room for your own ideas
• Regular team events and offsites