What are the responsibilities and job description for the Process Engineer position at PFNonwovens, LLC?
Purpose and role of job:
Provides technical support for a nonwovens production line. The process engineer is expected to achieve specified company goals for the performance of the line in different categories. Furthermore, he/she is to analyze the operation of the machinery and implement process equipment and procedural changes to constantly improve the areas of safety, quality, and productivity. The process engineer will work in conjunction with other departments to achieve these goals.
Principal Accountabilities/ Responsibilities:
• Be a leader in safety (address issues immediately, following safety guidelines, correcting others if in violation)
• Maintain robust mainline and slitter process targets and control limits for all products. Actively evaluate and address process deviations and significant shifts in targets or variation of output data.
• Respond to quality and process issues in a timely fashion. Seek appropriate support as necessary to resolve.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives in safety, quality, and productivity utilizing change management and project requests as necessary.
• Support validations of processes and qualifications of equipment as required.
• Daily visually inspect all areas of the production line, observe fabric samples, observe roll quality, review quality and production records
• Work with Quality Assurance to investigate quality concerns and issues.
• Work with Product Development to support the development of innovative products through knowledge of the line/process and trial planning.
• Manage process equipment (tracking, PM schedules, and coordinating activities)
• Track and maintain operational PM task list. Schedule operational PM activities.
• Maintain and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Work Instructions (WI).
• Document line issues, review and prioritize work on issue list, plan upcoming down time, review previous planned downs for work completion with Platform Manager and Maintenance & Reliability Specialist.
• Effectively communicate with all groups (daily quality meetings, daily notes to operating crews, reporting of issue to technical management, trial and onsite visit reports with outcomes and next steps).
• Support hands-on training for line lead development as necessary.
• Support pay-for-skills system by reviewing and signing off technical operator assessments.
• Provide 24/7 line support. Coordinate time off with Production Manager and Senior Process Technologist. Set up process engineering coverage when needed.
• Support general housekeeping of the line.
Education and experience requirements:
• A four-year technical degree is required, preferably a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering, or minimum 8 years nonwovens experience (PFN preferred)
• Additional manufacturing and nonwovens experience preferred
• Demonstrated engineering and manufacturing theory preferred
• Knowledge of manufacturing lines required
Work Environment:
• Must be able to walk the facility for the duration of the shift
• May need to grasp, hold, carry, lift, crawl, kneel, squat occasionally during shift
• Must be able to climb without issue with heights up to three (3) levels
• Withstand temperature changes between high temperatures and moderate to low temperatures
• Hearing protection, safety glasses, safety shoes and hard hat required in designated areas
Physical Requirements:
• Walk / stand 100% of time during a 12–hour shift.
• Constant bending, kneeling, and climbing throughout shift.
• Constant climbing and reaching into machines to fix jams.
• Frequent reaching overhead during shift.
• Constant pushing and pulling with arms and legs throughout shift.
• Constant lifting or carrying up to 50 lbs.
• Constant use of hands and occasional use of foot control.
• Constant light and firm grasping with hands throughout shift.
• Operation of roll manipulators, baler, and compactor.
• Daily sweeping and organizing floor and work area.
• Required participation in a daily pre-shift warm-up routine.
PFNonwovens offers the following:
• Quarterly incentives bonuses and year-end discretionary bonus
• Medical, Dental and Vision benefits available on the first day of employment
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k) match
• Tuition reimbursement
• On-site Café with made to order meals
• On-site state-of-the-art fitness center at no charge to team members
• Holiday and company events provided by company
