Sr. Industrial Engineer - Compounds (Madison, MS)

Westlake; Madison (MS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake seeks an Industrial Engineer to drive process improvements by collecting and analyzing manufacturing data to improve safety, product quality, delivery, and cost. The role provides on-floor process information for training and to meet engineering standards, enabling production associates with the tools to perform their jobs effectively.

You will lead and implement cost-reduction initiatives, develop SOPs for new products, and apply Lean/Six Sigma tools across the plant.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Industrial Technology.
• 10+ years of manufacturing experience in a high-volume environment.
• CI skills and expertise in process improvement.
• Six Sigma Green/Black Belt and DOE knowledge preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication; hands-on with good people skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct technical activities to solve problems from blending through shipping.
• Develop and maintain process guidelines (SOPs/SOCs) and training for new products and systems.
• Reduce process variation to ensure consistent quality and adherence to standards.
• Lead cost reduction initiatives and coordinate with project teams on PIP actions.
• Utilize Lean Tools (TPS, Six Sigma, 5S/6S, TPM, Kaizen, VSM, DOEs, FMEAs) and implement efficiently.
• Update manufacturing standards based on improvements and optimize work-cell layouts.
• Initiate new equipment/tech with clear scope, timelines, and safety/training considerations.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

DOE knowledge

Problem Solving

Communication

Teamwork

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering / Manufacturing Engineering / Industrial Technology

Job description

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples’ lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.

The Industrial Engineer will be responsible for making process improvements through collection and analysis of manufacturing data to improve safety, product quality, customer delivery, and cost reductions. Provide on-floor process information for training and meeting engineering standards. Support and provide production associates with the tools required to perform the job in a manner to meet all requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Leading and directing technical activities are necessary to solve problems encountered from blending through shipping. Ensure the team takes the necessary steps through effective communication and proper documentation to avoid similar problems in the future
• Develop & maintain process guidelines (SOP/SOC) and training programs for the integration of new products and systems
• Reduce process variation (improve process capability) to ensure consistent product quality and adherence to manufacturing standards
• Lead cost reduction initiatives through materials, product, and process improvements; assist the project teams to hold brainstorming sessions and develop action plans for the Profit Improvement Process (PIP), including activities to reduce utilities consumption, cycle times, scrap, downtime, material usage variance, and direct labor
• Act as a technical resource in Continuous Improvement Tools to plant and PIP project leaders: Lean Manufacturing/Toyota Production Systems, Six-Sigma, 5S/6S, Total Productive Maintenance, Kaizen Events, Value Stream Maps, DOEs, FMEAs, Advanced Problem-Solving, SMED, etc., and assist in their implementation in an efficient manner for individual projects
• Participate in the updating of manufacturing standards as a result of performance improvements
• Develop work cell layouts in an effort to optimize material flow and support 5S and visual management initiatives
• Initiate new equipment and technologies to maintain the company’s competitive advantage; including detailed scope definitions with the plant (capabilities, throughput, and equipment controls including function block diagrams, process parameters, and data acquisition requirements), RFQ documents, and execution timeline plans (including facility preparation, installation, H&S, training, production ramp-up, etc.).

Education, Experience and Qualifications

• B.S. degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Technology
• 10+ years of experience of manufacturing work experience
• High volume, continuous manufacturing environment
• Process Engineering / Manufacturing Engineering / CI skills and expertise
• A results-oriented problem solver with an analytical approach
• Excellent verbal & written communication
• A hands-on individual with good people skills
• Six sigma green/black belt and knowledge of DOE preferred

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and moving mechanical parts. The employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.

If you are an active Westlake employee (or an employee of any Westlake affiliates), please do not apply here.You will apply via the Jobs Hub application in Workday.