Manufacturing Process Improvement Engineer Sr Thermoforming

MPI Engineer III

The primary role of the MPI Engineer III is to implement and lead standardization & continuous improvement initiatives that improve safety, service, quality and cost. This position will have a focus on Thermoforming within the Manufacturing Process Improvement Team. Incumbent will provide process expertise and support to the plants and will participate on and/or lead Process Standards Teams to ensure horizontal expansion of best practices across AFNA.

• Thermoforming expert to drive thermoforming network modernization and PP capacity expansion critical to defend market position and enable growth in sustainable solutions.
• Thermoforming expert to drive speed to market capabilities that allow us to grow faster.
• Thermoforming expert to drive rigor and focus on quality needs through process, equipment optimization and quality standards required to win in the market.
• Thermoforming expert to support the Research and Development team on forming new materials for in‑line and stand‑alone thermoformers focusing on safety, quality and efficiency.

• Implementation of standardization & CI initiatives.
• Provide process support of key manufacturing processes across plants.
• Identify and lead implementation of cost takeout opportunities through waste reduction, material substitutions and equipment modifications. These may be plant specific or across several plants.
• Lead and participate in continuous improvement projects to achieve business objectives including participation in teams within the business and functional areas.
• Manage and/or lead project teams that deliver a minimum of $500M in cost savings per year.
• Assist in generating reporting tools and progress reporting for assigned business area.
• Support the efforts of the divisional MPI team as necessary.
• Support the efforts of Plant Engineering and Plant Departments in associated projects and teams.
• Communicate the status of CI projects, including progress reports, identifying barriers and recommended solutions, integration with other projects or other CI initiatives.
• Training of team members and plant personnel.
• Partner in analyzing and recommending changes in technology to better position the business.
• Responsible for execution of assigned CI projects and overall delivery of metric improvement and benefits for the assigned business, resulting in the achievement of strategic business objectives and goals; also responsible for identifying projects that may lead to better processes, quality & savings.
• Implement various process standards such as: start‑up and shutdown, resin transitions, troubleshooting techniques, resin handling, machine standard operating conditions, QA standards.
• Understand and support the CI methodology in all project and teams assigned.
• Create & provide capital improvement justification for improvements in quality & cost.
• Engage with plant & business unit leadership on critical projects.
• Projects as assigned.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in several manufacturing processes.
• Able to generate and implement critical manufacturing technology standards of operation.
• Able to generate and implement critical operational methods or standard work for process engineers and operators to follow.
• Lead process standardization efforts for safety, service, quality and cost.
• Attainment of KPI goals, cost savings, etc. as defined by plant operational efficiencies and output.

• Results orientation – high
• Collaborative relationships - high
• Communication skills – written/oral – high
• Analytical skills/problem solving – high
• Business Acumen - medium
• Change and Thought Leadership – medium
• Critical thinking & Conflict resolution – medium

• 5-7 years professional experience in a manufacturing organization.
• Bachelor’s degree is required, engineering or industrial technology preferred.
• Training and experience in Lean methodologies, Green/Black belt or Kaizens.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve across a variety of business processes and generate new ideas.
• Thorough understanding of business processes and process improvement.
• Exceptional analytical, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven…