Process Engineering Manager

As a Process Engineering Manager, you will lead and supervise engineering, quality, and tooling teams to optimize processes and improve operational efficiency. Your key responsibilities include developing and standardizing processes, managing documentation, troubleshooting production issues, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Collaboration with product development and overseeing tooling operations are also crucial aspects of the role.

To be successful as a Process Engineering Manager, candidates should hold a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Metallurgical, or Manufacturing Engineering. You should also have a minimum of 5-7 years of experience in a manufacturing environment focused on process engineering, along with 1-3 years of engineering supervisory experience. Experience in sand casting, blow molding, and managing ERP systems like IQMS is a plus.

The Process Engineering Manager plays a significant role in quality improvement by leading initiatives to reduce non-conforming products and implementing corrective actions through root cause analyses. You'll also support quality improvement plans, ensuring that processes meet compliance standards, thus enhancing product quality while minimizing waste and inefficiencies.

While specific experience in sand casting foundry is preferred, candidates with backgrounds in other manufacturing processes like blow molding, extrusion, and injection molding are also encouraged to apply. The ability to demonstrate a strong track record in process improvement and operational efficiency is key, regardless of the specific industry.

The company offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as a competitive starting salary of $115K per year plus bonuses. You'll also work in a collaborative environment that values continuous improvement and innovation, making it a great place to grow your career.

In answering this question, focus on a specific project where you utilized your engineering skills to identify inefficiencies, implemented improvements, and measured the success in terms of results achieved. Highlight your leadership role and how your actions contributed to the overall success of the team.

When addressing production issues, explain your systematic approach that involves conducting root cause analysis, collaborating with colleagues to gather data, and implementing corrective actions. Emphasize your ability to communicate clearly and keep stakeholders informed throughout the process.

In your response, mention specific methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen that you've successfully employed in previous roles. Discuss how you apply these methodologies to foster a culture of continuous improvement and team engagement.

Discuss your familiarity with managing engineering change requests (ECRs) and overseeing first article testing (F.A.T.). Share examples of how you've successfully managed these processes to ensure compliance and quality, while minimizing disruptions to production.

Talk about your leadership style and specific strategies you use to motivate your team, such as providing mentorship, encouraging professional development, and recognizing achievements. Share how you create a positive work environment that promotes collaboration and innovation.

Emphasize the importance of accurate and thorough documentation in maintaining process integrity, ensuring compliance, and facilitating training. Illustrate how you ensure that all operational procedures and work instructions are up-to-date and how this impacts overall efficiency.

Highlight your experience with ERP systems, especially IQMS, and how these systems help in managing documentation, Bills of Materials (BOM), and production schedules. Share examples of how effective ERP utilization has improved your previous projects.

Provide a concrete example of a scenario where you effectively managed multiple priorities, detailing your organizational skills and the tools or strategies you employed to ensure successful outcomes across various projects.

Discuss your commitment to maintaining a safe work environment by implementing and enforcing safety standards within engineering teams. Share specific initiatives you have led in the past to prioritize safety and how you ensure that all team members adhere to safety guidelines.

Explain your collaborative approach when working with product development and design teams. Discuss how you ensure that process efficiencies are considered during the design phase, leading to smoother transitions into production and minimizing issues later on.