Project and Continuous Improvement Engineer

Overview

This position is responsible for leading project engineering, environmental and safety compliance support, and plant-wide continuous improvement strategy. The role combines hands‑on project execution with Lean/Six Sigma leadership to improve OEE, product quality, waste reduction, energy conservation, safety, equipment performance, and operating costs.

Qualified candidates must be self‑starters with strong leadership, communication, problem‑solving, and organizational skills. The position works closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Environmental, Quality, Lean/CI, supervisors, hourly associates, corporate resources, and outside contractors to identify opportunities, develop solutions, manage projects, and sustain improvements across the facility.

• Manage environmental, facility, equipment, and process improvement projects from concept through completion, including scope, justification, cost estimates, schedules, budgets, implementation, startup, and closeout.
• Execute capital and expense projects on time and within budget, including assisting with CER preparation and project requirement definition.
• Coordinate project activities involving maintenance resources, salaried and hourly employees, contractors, plant operations, and corporate staff.
• Work from concepts to create equipment designs or process improvements.
• Develop and maintain plant site drawings, equipment drawings, process flow diagrams, electrical prints, and other technical documentation.
• Develop new concepts, techniques, equipment upgrades, and process‑control improvements to increase efficiency, quality, throughput, and equipment performance.
• Determine necessary actions and delegate resources effectively to increase safety, quality, OEE, efficiency, and cost performance.
• Perform FMEA, Root Cause Failure Analysis, troubleshooting, and other structured problem‑solving methods to resolve equipment, process, and quality issues.

• Develop and implement a plant‑wide Lean/Six Sigma and continuous improvement strategy with goals, objectives, timetables, action plans, and hourly and salaried leader engagement strategies.
• Lead and support continuous improvement activities aligned with business goals, including safety, OEE improvement, product quality, waste reduction, energy conservation, and operating‑cost reduction.
• Coordinate plant‑level Lean/Six Sigma initiatives with Element Resources continuous improvement initiatives to optimize resources and minimize redundant efforts.
• Conduct daily plant walk‑throughs and inspections with functional leaders, supervisors, and hourly associates to identify improvement opportunities and develop justifications for potential cost savings.
• Conduct time and motion studies, value stream mapping, process charting, production standard validation, and workflow analysis to troubleshoot and streamline plant processes.
• Work with Production, Lean/CI, Maintenance, Engineering, Environmental, and Quality teams to plan and execute Kaizen events and other improvement activities.
• Train and mentor leadership, engineering staff, supervisors, and hourly associates in Lean principles, 5S, Six Sigma methods, standard work, change management, and continuous improvement tools.

• Assist in development and implementation of safety protocols, environmental compliance systems, and manufacturing strategies.
• Work with plant operations and Environmental personnel to implement systems that ensure compliance with required Environmental and Safety regulations.
• Participate in training and development programs related to environmental, health, and safety issues.
• Support development, revision, training, and adherence to SOPs, work instructions, standard operating procedures, and safety rules for new and existing equipment and processes.

• Provide support and, at times, direct supervision of hourly and/or salaried employees and outside contractors.
• Lead and/or participate in training of supervisory and hourly staff on SOPs, Lean/CI methods, equipment changes, and process improvements.
• Integrate…