Sr. Engineering Manager, Flexibles

Senior Manager, Operating Unit Engineer – Flexibles

The Senior Manager, Operating Unit Engineer – Flexibles is responsible for leading engineering activities across an assigned operating unit supporting blown film extrusion, inline converting, printing operations, roll stock production, and downstream converting processes. This role provides technical leadership across multiple manufacturing facilities and drives improvements in safety, quality, operational reliability, throughput, yield, scrap reduction, and manufacturing performance. The position serves as the primary technical authority for blown film extrusion, tube-on-roll products, single wound sheeting, inline bag converting, flexographic printing, shuttle bag machines, rotary bag machines, wicket converting systems, and roll-to-roll printing operations.

Lead engineering activities across multiple blown film and converting facilities. Establish engineering standards and best practices. Support plant engineering teams, drive performance improvements, lead troubleshooting activities, implement continuous improvement initiatives, and support capital project execution and operational readiness.

Provide subject matter expertise for LLDPE, HDPE, MDPE, and barrier film structures including nylon-based constructions. Support mono-layer and multi-layer blown film extrusion, resin handling, blending systems, extrusion screws and dies, air rings, bubble stability, gauge control, profile optimization, and process standardization.

Serve as the technical authority for inline flexographic printing and roll-to-roll flexographic printing operations. Improve print quality, registration control, color consistency, ink transfer performance, and press uptime while reducing print-related waste and downtime.

Provide technical leadership for inline converting systems, shuttle bag machines, rotary bag machines, wicket bag operations, sealing systems, perforation systems, stacking systems, registration control systems, and downstream bag converting technologies.

Drive improvements in OEE, throughput, scrap reduction, yield, changeover performance, labor productivity, process capability, and equipment reliability. Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, SPC, and root-cause problem-solving initiatives.

Lead troubleshooting of complex extrusion, printing, converting, controls, and material-related issues. Develop reliability improvement strategies, support preventive and predictive maintenance programs, and improve operational stability across manufacturing sites.

Develop equipment specifications, project scopes, technical justifications, and implementation plans. Lead equipment evaluations, FAT/SAT activities, startup support, commissioning activities, and technology implementation projects.

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline. Minimum 10 years of manufacturing engineering experience with significant experience supporting multi-site blown film extrusion and converting operations.

Up to 75% travel to manufacturing facilities, suppliers, and equipment vendors.

Safety performance, OEE improvement, throughput gains, scrap reduction, yield improvement, reliability improvement, startup success, project execution, print quality, process standardization, engineering capability development, and cost reduction performance.

A reasonable estimate of the current range is $145,000-$165,000 + bonus + benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. At Novolex, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The benefits for this role include 401(k) plan with company match, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, paid vacation, and sick days, paid parental leave, paid holidays and wellness program.