Manufacturing Process Engineer - Nekoosa

Manufacturing Process Engineer - Nekoosa

Nekoosa | Posted Mar 4

Full-time

Wisconsin

Negotiable

Entry (0-2 yrs)

As a Process Engineer, you’ll drive process efficiency and operational excellence by leading and sustaining continuous improvement initiatives across the organization. You will support a culture of safety, standardization, and data‑driven decision‑making to deliver measurable cost reductions, reduce waste, improve equipment performance, and strengthen quality systems through effective cross‑functional collaboration.

• Organizational Development – 20%:
  Safety & Standardization:
  Integrate safety considerations into all improvement initiatives while developing and sustaining standard work that ensures consistent, safe, and efficient operations.
• Continuous Improvement Culture:
  Strengthen a culture of continuous improvement by embedding data‑driven problem‑solving, visual management, and structured CI practices into daily operations.
• Cross‑Functional
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Partner effectively with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and Technology to drive adoption and sustain productivity improvements through clear communication, training, and performance tracking.

• Operational Performance & Cost Impact:
  Deliver measurable cost savings exceeding $300K annually by improving machine reliability, streamlining changeovers, reducing scrap, and implementing process improvements across coater and sheeting operations.
• Production Performance & Process Optimization:
  Drive manufacturing operations to exceed machine performance targets by enhancing efficiency, reducing scrap, and increasing throughput. Provide technical guidance to implement new processes, optimize existing operations, and support new product introductions while maintaining high product quality and customer satisfaction.
• Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving:
  Lead process improvement initiatives by analyzing operational gaps, applying data‑driven solutions, and collaborating with cross‑functional teams to sustain efficiency gains, standardize best practices, and drive operational excellence.
• Continuous Improvement Tracking & Pipeline Management:
  Track and report the effectiveness of implemented process improvements, manage a CI project pipeline exceeding $750K to prioritize and monitor initiatives, identify further optimization opportunities, and ensure sustained operational gains.

• Performance Metrics & Team Engagement:
  Champion team understanding of key KPIs (safety, productivity, scrap rate, throughput, changeover times) through dashboards, visual aids, hands‑on training, and daily team huddles. Leverage real‑time data to guide decisions, support cross‑functional collaboration, and implement process enhancements while engaging, mentoring, and developing the team.
• Project Execution:
  Complete all assigned projects on budget, on time, and deliver expected payback while complying with safety policies and company regulations.
• Best Practice Sharing:
  Facilitate the dissemination of successful process enhancements and operational practices across teams, shifts, and sites to drive consistent performance and accelerate continuous improvement adoption.

• Degree in engineering (Paper Science, Chemistry, Mechanical, Industrial), manufacturing, and/or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a manufacturing environment, with demonstrated exposure to Lean Manufacturing principles.
• The travel requirements of this position are up to 10%.

• Competitive medical, dental, life, AD&D, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous annual time‑off allotment, including vacation (based on company service), parental leave, paid volunteer time, sick or emergency time, and 12 holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement (up to $5,250 per year), scholarships for dependents, monthly cell‑phone reimbursement, and annual steel‑toe and prescription safety‑glasses reimbursement.
• 401(k), Employee Assistance Program (available to employees and their families), annual bonus program, referral bonus program (up to $1,750), STD, LTD, and more.