Engineering Manager

Alkegen brings together two of the world’s leading specialty materials companies to create one new, innovation-driven leader focused on battery technologies, filtration media, and specialty insulation and sealing materials. Through global reach and breakthrough inventions, we are delivering products that enable the world to breathe easier, live greener, and go further than ever before.

With over 60 manufacturing facilities with a global workforce of over 9,000 of the industry’s most experienced talent, including insulation and filtration experts, Alkegen is uniquely positioned to help customers impact the environment in meaningful ways.

Alkegen offers a range of dynamic career opportunities with a global reach. From production operators to engineers, technicians to specialists, sales to leadership, we are always looking for top talent ready to bring their best. Come grow with us!

The Engineering Manager is responsible for managing and developing the Engineering and Maintenance teams as a whole in support of sustaining and improving manufacturing at the Tonawanda plant (360 Fire Tower Dr.). The individual acts as a technical resource in designing and improving the processes and equipment on site, and participates in solving difficult technical problems using creative thinking and teamwork. Provides expert direction and resolution of issues that improve the operator experience, and monitors integration and changes closely with the operations staff. Responsible for recruitment, mentoring, training and developing members of the engineering and maintenances groups, but could serve as a mentor and educator to other on site as well. The Engineering Manager must liaise closely the other departments including Safety, Quality, Operations, Maintenance and Production Control and help lead cross functional teams in these areas to implement change and improvements on site. In addition the manager must work with product and application teams for new product development and industrialization. The desired candidate would possess a strong leadership mentality, sense of personal ownership, and well-developed interpersonal skills.

Job Responsibilities :

• Assist HSE with implementing / rolling out safety initiatives, and genuinely practice and model site safety to the fullest.
• Work closely with the Quality Department to define, automate and simplify existing processes wherever possible. Work to identify key process parameters with the goal to improve material quality for customer; including liaising with other Alkegen sites where necessary.
• Responsible for coordinating and managing the Engineering and Maintenance teams, focusing resources accordingly to support daily operation, but also long-term strategic projects and initiatives on site.
• Mentor and develop members of the team, on an individual level and also as well rounded group contributors.
• Manage and / or participate on cross functional teams to address specific site issues. (For example, CI projects, repeat failure modes, quality improvement projects, etc)
• Manage and implement projects to improve OEE, line efficiency and product conversion costs in relation to plant performance and asset longevity.
• Identify and assess the value and capability of new or additional technologies through innovation. Drive to find new and novel technologies that could be adopted or implemented on site. Think ‘outside the box’ to improve efficiency, process throughput, or operator experience.
• Working with Project Managers on local capital expenditure on site ensuring projects scopes are followed through to delivery on time and that there is a solid handoff.
• In conjunction with the Operations and CI Manager, help lead Site Cost saving and Continuous Improvement initiatives and tracking.
• Ensure the delivery of continuous improvement through strong leadership practices.
• Identify, provide and facilitate solutions to process engineering and technical problems.
• Lead Development Trials with R&D support. Including, but not limited to, new product forms, new basis weights, new formulation and alternative raw materials.
• Work directly with operators / advisors to streamline job tasks in order to improve the employee experience.
• Works with production supervisors and operators to educate operators on the impact of different job tasks and procedures on the process overall. Helps teach and convey a fundamental understanding of the process and systems to operations personnel; assist them in seeing “the big picture” of the products we make and how they are made.
• Work with production ensuring current standards are observed and applied. Develop new standards as necessary and improved wherever possible.
• Ensure the retention and adherence to accredited standards (IATF 16949). Participate in internal audits.

Education :

At Alkegen, we strive every day to help people – ALL PEOPLE – breathe easier, live greener and go further than ever before. We believe that diversity and inclusion is central to this mission and to our impact. Our diverse and inclusive culture drives our growth & innovation and we nurture it by actively embracing our differences and using our varied perspectives to solve the complex challenges facing our changing and diverse world.