Sr. Eng, Process Eng

Smurfit Westrock plc; Havelock (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock plc is seeking a Sr. Manufacturing Continuous Engineer in Havelock, NC. This role supports the Paper & Logistics operations, improving processes, leading continuous improvement projects, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in engineering, preferably Chemical or Mechanical, and 3+ years of production experience. The position requires strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills, with preference for Lean Six Sigma certification.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on experience in a production setting.
• Preferred degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering.
• Lean Six Sigma certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support and oversee projects to improve processes and efficiency.
• Analyze existing processes for bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
• Act as primary technical support for paper and logistics areas.
• Develop and improve new projects and equipment installations.
• Monitor performance metrics and manage continuous improvement.

Skills

Data Analysis

Problem Solving

Project Management

Workflow Optimization

Cross-Functional Team Leadership

Continuous Improvement

Process Mapping

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Six Sigma

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

The Opportunity

The Sr. Manufacturing Continuous Engineer supports the Paper & Logistics operations by safely improving processes and supporting the development, and implementation of new and/or existing projects. Paper Operations consists of final product production & distribution, chemical management processes, and refining operations. This role is for a technical professional who safely analyzes, implements, and optimizes processes used to continuously improve production and process operations. The services include data collecting, data analysis, reporting, field trouble shooting, developing and modifying procedures, supporting operations management while demonstrating safety leadership and a quality mindset. This role is expected to safely lead continuous improvement projects, mill initiatives and other tasks needed to improve production and reliability. This role reports directly to the Paper and Logistics Superintendent.

Primary Accountabilities

• Process Design & Development: Support and oversee projects and implementation while leading efforts in improving our existing processes to safely enhance productivity and efficiency within the organization.
• Process Optimization: Analyzing existing processes to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement with a focus on providing solutions, increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving product quality.
• Troubleshooting: Acting as the primary technical support for paper and logistics areas. Diagnosing and resolving problems, improving reliability in real-time. Analyze existing workflows and identify areas for improvement, recommending changes to minimize bottlenecks and streamline operations.
• Continuous Improvement: Identifying inefficiencies, bottlenecks using analytical data and problem-solving skills to develop and implement solutions that enhance process reliability. A proactive approach to monitoring process performance and leveraging data driven insight while optimizing operations for sustained organizational growth.
• Documentation: Creating, modifying, and maintaining critical process documentation, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Emergency Operating Procedures (EOP), and standard work instructions.
• Compliance: Working with safety, environmental and quality to ensure all processes meet company standards and government regulations.
• Project Management: Developing, leading, and improving new projects, process upgrades, new equipment installations and providing technical and training support for each project.
• Daily Management System: Monitor the performance of processes, using metrics and KPIs to assess their effectiveness and proactively manage continuous improvement daily. Collaborate with the Assistant Superintendents and team members to ensure systems are aligned with process standards while optimizing process improvement initiatives.

Knowledge & Skills Required

Technical

• Data Analysis: Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret process data while utilizing data analysis tools, e.g., Pi, Fishbone, 5 Whys, Six Sigma concepts and Excel, Word, PowerPoint for reporting.
• Problem Solving: Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address safety and environmental compliance, improve quality, and innovate practical solutions to achieve production goals and reliability.
• Project Management: Strong project management skills for overseeing safety, environmental, quality and production initiatives.
• Workflow Optimization: Streamline the operations by identifying bottlenecks and providing support while implementing strategic solutions. Leveraging data-driven insights to improve safety, environmental and quality compliance while enhancing productivity and further reducing operational costs.
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership: Partner with teams from diverse departments and align project goals with organizational objectives. Communication and conflict resolution skills are essential to bridge gaps between varying functional perspectives, driving project success and operating efficiency.
• Continuous Improvement: Identifying inefficiencies and bottlenecks, process troubleshooting by use of analytical data and problem-solving skills to design and implement solutions that enhance process reliability. A proactive approach to monitoring process performance and leveraging data-driven insights ensures iterative refinement and optimization of operations for sustained organizational growth.
• Process Mapping: Creating detailed visual representations of workflows to identify PPR inefficiencies, bottlenecks and proactively facilitating operational process improvements.

Interpersonal

• Safety Mindset: Demonstrates safety as a core value with an unwavering commitment to colleagues and his or her own personal safety.
• High Energy & Driven: Drives operational excellence by crafting seamless, efficient, and sustainable production systems demonstrating grit, perseverance and a passion for problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Collaborative Mindset: Someone who enjoys working with others and is team oriented in solving complex challenges throughout department areas.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to clearly convey complex technical concepts, prepare detailed reports, and effectively interface with diverse stakeholders.
• Leadership: The ability to lead and motivate and collaborate effectively with cross-functional production teams and SMEs across the organization.
• Attention to Detail: Focuses on accuracy, detailed data for monitoring progress, ensuring compliance, and reporting factual documentation.
• Learning Mindset: Thrives on mastering new skills and sees every challenge as an opportunity to develop technical and operational skill sets.

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Safety - Includes following safety rules and regulations, working to create and maintain good housekeeping, knowledge and use of safety equipment, active participation in safety effort, attending safety meetings, confronting others regarding safety, reporting incidents and near misses, correcting unsafe conditions.
• Composure – Is cool under pressure; does not become defensive or irritated when times are tough; is considered mature; can be counted on to hold things together during tough times; can handle stress; is not knocked off balance by the unexpected; doesn’t show frustration when resisted or blocked; is a settling influence in a crisis.
• Managing Diversity – Manages all kinds and classes of people equitably; deals effectively with all races, nationalities, cultures, disabilities, ages and both sexes; hires variety and diversity without regard to class, supports equal and fair treatment and opportunity for all.
• Ethics and Values – Adheres to an appropriate (for the setting) and effective set of core values and beliefs during both good and bad times; acts in line with those values; rewards the right values and disapproves of others; practices what he/she preaches.
• Integrity and Trust – Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; can present the unvarnished truth in an appropriate and helpful manner; keep confidences; admits mistakes; doesn’t misrepresent him/herself for personal gain.
• Listening – Practices attentive and active listening; has the patience to hear people out; can accurately restate the opinions of others even when he/she disagrees.
• Written Communications – Is able to write clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication setting and styles; can get messages across that have the desired effect.

Professional Qualifications

Experience required

• 3+ years of hands-on experience in a production setting.

education

Relevant Degree: Bachelor’s degree in engineering – preferred degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering

Specialization/Certifications (Preferred)

• Chemical Engineering
• Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt or Black Belt)
• Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.