Senior Process Engineer

James Hardie is the industry leader in exterior home and outdoor living solutions, with a portfolio that includes fiber cement, fiber gypsum, composite and PVC decking and railing products. Our family of trusted brands includes Hardie®, Timber Tech®, AZEK® Exteriors, Versatex®, fermacell®, and Stru Xure®.

With over 8,000 employees and our U.S. operating entities headquartered in Chicago, we boast 31 operating sites, 6 recycling facilities, and 6 research and development centers globally. Powered by a dynamic workforce, we’re united by our purpose of Building a Better Future for All™ through sustainable innovation, a Zero Harm culture, and a commitment to empowering our people and communities.

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As a Senior Process Engineer, you will play a dual role, supporting day‑to‑day manufacturing operations while spearheading long‑term continuous improvement initiatives. Your immediate focus will be troubleshooting and optimizing extrusion processes with an emphasis on improving process equipment reliability and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). By addressing these key areas, you will drive significant gains in operational efficiency and equipment performance.

In this role, you will lead strategic process enhancements that align with James Hardie’s manufacturing goals, ensuring both short‑term operational success and long‑term innovation. Your expertise will be critical in identifying and resolving inefficiencies in extrusion processes, reducing downtime, and maximizing equipment utilization. With a proactive approach to sustainable improvement, you will combine technical problem‑solving with process optimization, contributing to James Hardie’s commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement in line with the company’s Core Values.

• Provide hands‑on technical support for extrusion processes, resolving issues related to process flow, equipment functionality, material inconsistencies, and quality deviations.
• Investigate and address daily operational challenges, including equipment failures, quality non‑conformance, safety concerns, using root cause analysis and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Collaborate with Maintenance and Manufacturing teams to ensure equipment uptime.
• Troubleshoot and validate new or idled equipment during commissioning, repair, upgrade, or replacement to ensure safe, efficient integration into production and alignment with operational goals.

• Lead cross‑functional teams to design, develop, and implement process improvements that increase productivity, reduce costs, and enhance safety and quality.
• Analyze process data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and protocols for equipment to ensure long‑term consistency and efficiency.
• Recommend capital investment projects, factoring in long‑term risk, cost, and operational benefits, while managing capital spending for upgraded and replacement equipment.
• Lead initiatives integrating automation and digital tools to optimize processes and drive sustainable performance improvements.
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and other methodologies to implement innovative solutions that support long‑term operational goals.
• Collaborate with external vendors and stay informed about emerging technologies for future process enhancements.

• Implement and refine quality control measures to ensure the consistency and integrity of extruded products.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations, industry standards, and environmental guidelines in both immediate and long‑term operations.

• Communicate project milestones, process improvements, and technical recommendations to stakeholders through detailed reports and presentations.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including R&D, Maintenance, Quality, and Production, to align short‑term operational needs with long‑term strategic goals.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Manufacturing, or related field).
• Experience:
  
  Minimum of 5+ years of…