Trial Engineer

Custom Processing Services, Inc.; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Custom Processing Services, Inc. is seeking a Trial Planning Specialist to develop trial plans, prepare paperwork, and train cross-functional teams. The role focuses on safe, quality trial execution and continuous improvement across diverse materials and processes.

You will oversee pre-trial activities, ensure proper documentation, and collaborate with Business Development to deliver a superior client experience while aligning performance with established metrics.

Qualifications

• Safety policies and behaviors are non-negotiable.
• Strong Voice of the Customer focus in tasks.
• Ability to turn abstract ideas into tangible deliverables.
• Innovative thinker with problem-solving skills.
• Enjoys interacting on the manufacturing floor.
• Calm, persistent handling of obstacles and challenges.
• Systematic, structured approach to tasks.
• Familiar with equipment assembly/disassembly and changeovers.
• Self-starter who drives results without supervision.
• Familiar with metric-based performance cultures.
• Excellent documentation and communication skills.
• Proficient in MS Office tools.
• Thrives in a high-performance team culture.
• Values-driven by core CPS values.

Responsibilities

• Develop the trial plan and all required paperwork for trials.
• Train cross-functional teams and manage on-the-floor trials.
• Ensure safety compliance and PPE requirements across trial areas.
• Create or oversee generation of process docs and work instructions.
• Perform pre-trial tasks like process documentation and equipment setup.
• Oversee trial work to meet objective deliverables.
• Maintain clear, precise documentation for reports.
• Collaborate with Business Development to enhance client experience.
• Contribute to cross-functional teams to align with metrics.

Skills

Safety mindset

Customer focus

Problem solving

Innovation

On-floor collaboration

Documentation skills

Communication skills

MS Office

Self-driven

Respectful culture

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Lean Six Sigma understanding

ISO understanding

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Description

This essential job function works closely with all different expertise areas to support trial execution. This role is focused on developing the trial plan, paperwork preparation, cross-functional team training, and on-the-floor trial management. The goal of every trial is safe preparation, quality results, and then optimized execution. This exciting role gives the team member an opportunity to learn all the different technologies at CPS including skills to troubleshoot and methods to improve as well as working with a variety of different materials across a vast range of industries.

Requirements

Accountable Functions and Responsibilities:

• Comply with all safety requirements of the company and regulatory authorities as well as employee safety in PPE requirements
• Assure all areas participating in a trial have what they need to be successful in the execution of the trail.
• Create or oversee creation of all required documentation for a trial including but not limited to process documentation and work instructions.
• Perform and/or oversee tasks needed pre-trial such as process documentation creation, training of associates, set up of equipment etc.
• Oversee all trial work in the realization of objective deliverable.
• Ensure documentation is clean and precise for report entry
• Work with Business Development to create a profound client experience
• Provide professional and unbiased feedback on peer performance for the purposes of continuous improvement.
• Work as significant contributor of project teams, adding skills and input to larger chorus
• Participate in other cross-functional teams, focused on bringing performance into alignment with agreed upon metrics
• Other functions as needed to support the overall business

Job Metrics (Measurements of Success):

• Execution of trial against quoted scope
• Revenue of Trials managed
• Completion of tasks associated with Workflow
• Number of trials sent to Commercialization Workflow

Required Qualifications:

• Non-negotiable approach to safety polices and behaviors
• Very focused on the Voice of the Customer in the execution of role tasks
• Enjoys taking the abstract and creating an objective and tangible deliverable
• Capable of high level of innovation in thought processes
• Enjoys interacting on the manufacturing floor
• Enjoys working through obstacles and challenges - does not get frustrated or overwhelmed
• Logical and systematic approach to task completion; Approaches tasks in a structured manner
• Familiar with general equipment mechanical assembly, disassembly, and cleaning, as well as changeover processes, theories, and method improvements.
• Comfortable performing work in alignment with documented instructions and workflows
• Self-starter and understands efforts without results is not a recipe for success
• ISO understanding
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in disciplines such as chemical, process, or materials engineering, chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Lean Six Sigma understanding
• Familiar with metric-based performance cultures
• Excellent documentation skills
• Excellent communication skills - verbal, written, non-verbal
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Prefers to work in a High-Performance Team setting, with self-driven accountability
• Prefers to work in a culture of Respect, for Self, Peers, CPS, and Clients.
• Prefers to work in a culture driven by Core Values that guide all decisions

Location:

• Reading, Pennsylvania - corporate office and manufacturing campus
• East Greenville, Pennsylvania - manufacturing campus
• Other company locations as required

Work Environment (estimated averages):

• Highly agile work environment
• Office/Administrative: 33%
• Manufacturing: 67%

Growth Opportunities:

• Alignment of individual growth plans to business needs (People Building)
• Knowledge growth in new processes and business techniques, including Business within a Business
• Team and/or Business Leadership
• Many others…

Travel Requirements:

• Minimal travel required to other company sites and vendor partners.