Process Engineer

Company: Avantor
Location: Carpinteria
Posted on: April 4, 2021

Job Description:

Job SummaryIndividual will develop new processes for improving rubber and polymer processing to improve process throughput and efficiency. The ideal candidate will have experience in developing continuous/semi-continuous specialty polymer processes such as polymerization, purification, or compounding.

Project scope and focus will vary from process improvement (such as decrease process touch time, minimization of process steps / handling); product improvement (such as improve quality performance of the product), product commercialization (such as scale up and transfer of new products to mfg) and process development (such as new process technology)) in relation to the following areas:

--- the quality performance of manufactured materials
--- the process performance of manufactured materials
--- the quality and process performance of products transferred from R&D to manufacturing
--- the efficiency of the process of manufactured materials (such as process flow, cost minimization, throughput improvements)
--- minimization of inventory of raw materials, intermediates and finished goods
--- reduction of cost of product intermediates and finished goods
--- improvements in the safety attributes of the manufacturing processes
--- improvements in the utilization of equipment capacity / capability
--- implementation of lean manufacturing concepts (such as kanbans, 6S)
--- identification of and implementation of enhanced technologies to increase capacity and performance
--- other areas of improvement as requiredESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Must be regular and punctual in attendance and adhere to all NuSil employee handbook policies.
• Develops personal strategies for juggling competing demands.--Human Resources Related:
  • Must be able to make well-grounded decisions and assessments using quality and engineering tools
  • Must be able to lead and motivate others to perform tasks accurately, completely and on-time.
  • Must be able to work in a cross functional environment, respecting and engaging others to resolve problems and improve processes.
  • Coordinate diverse groups from manufacturing, quality assurance, engineering and operations to achieve required goals.
  • Provides coaching and training to others on analysis tools and results.---Safety Related:
    • Adheres to all NuSil Technology Safety policies.
    • Identifies potential hazardous situations and addresses hazardous processes
    • Identifies and implements enhanced technologies to improve Environmental, Health and Safety attributes of manufacturing practices---Process / Deliverable Related:
      • Independently design and manage projects to timelines.
      • Manage and sustain organizational change.
      • Achieve goals within prescribed time frames.
      • Easily assume ownership role in ensuring that all projects are coordinated thoroughly including formation of teams, training of applicable personnel, design of project, data collection and analysis, implementation of corrective action and establishment of control measures to ensure sustainable change.--
      • Excellent problem solving skills. Understanding of SPC and the ability to implement appropriate metrics and monitoring. Experience with successful continuous quality improvement implementations and Lean Initiatives.
      • Schedules project assignments and maintains process flow to ensure timely completion of analyses.
      • Assumes ownership role in ensuring that projects are completed on-time and accurately.
      • Responsible for designing and implementing new processes as a result of analyses.
      • Initiative, competence and confidence to anticipate and respond to issues.--
      • Learn process, chemistry and equipment quickly in order to lead problem solving activities.
      • Must be able to independently identify opportunities for improvement, gather the appropriate data to support the change and speak to the change in a scientific and persuasive manner.---Quality Related:
        • Responsible for maintaining quality within the scope of the job description.
        • Ensures that all analyses are performed accurately and completely.---Continuous Improvement:
          • Responsible for reviewing process reproducibility trends of applicable products and:
          • improving products be robust and repeatable conveying that knowledge to others training others on trend analysis and notification processes helping others to apply that knowledge to improve processes and or products.
          • Responsible for problem definition, measurement, analysis, improvement and control of processes, products and equipment using applicable problem solving (i.e., DMAIC) and lean (i.e., kanbans) tools.
          • Responsible for recognizing the need for new processes as a result of process observation, analysis and team involvement.
          • Responsible for anticipating problems and breakdowns with regard to processes based on knowledge acquired from process observation, analysis and team involvement.---Process Engineering Related:
            • Identifies and implements enhanced technologies to improve EHS, Process capacity, process throughput, costs, etc. in manufacturing processes.
            • Works with R&D on effective design, scale-up and transition of new products to manufacturing including both product design and process design.
            • Designs new equipment and / or processes to support new and existing technologies.
            • Must be able to plan projects that will operate in the short term, medium term and long term, balancing timelines, analyses, etc.--
            • Must be able to specify a future state improvement and devise the actions required to achieve the goal.---Inventory & Scheduling Related:
              • Must be able to understand the fundamentals of how physical and perpetual inventories are related.
              • Must also understand other basic inventory principles such as allocating of materials as well as cycle counting.
              • Responsible for devising and implementing plans to minimize inventory and improve process flow / output by using Lean Manufacturing concepts.
              • Works on other special projects as required.
              • Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.SUPERVISORY / LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES Will train, direct daily activities and verify accuracy of work performed by others for project completion.QUALIFICATIONS*Experience with rubber processing in Twin Screw extruders*Experience with developing specialty chemical processes on semi-continuous basis. (I'm not talking massive petroleum distillation or commodity chemicals made continuously - really, looking for that specialty chemical component to match our expected scale)*Experience in automating previously manual processes (such as chemical production, packaging, pigmenting, etc.)*Experience in purification of polymers with continuous processing methods, preferably development of such processes.EDUCATION / EXPERIENCEKnowledge of process production activities in a chemical or mechanical manufacturing environment. Prior experience at NuSil preferred. Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or equivalent experience required. Knowledge of basic problem solving tools (DMAIC) and lean manufacturing concepts (kanbans, kaizen, 5S) required. Knowledge of OSHA, NFPC, HazWoper, and other governmental regulatory requirements (e.g., 21 CFR Part 820, cGMP, ISO, FDA, etc.) required. Working knowledge of functions within a typical business supply chain (e.g., shipping, receiving, order procurement / purchasing, scheduling, inventory and execution) required. Excellent oral and written skills. Expert computer skills (MS WORD / EXCEL) required; ability to program macros in Visual Basic preferred.Requires 2 - 5 years employment as Associate- Process Engineer or comparable role.LANGUAGE SKILLSAbility to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals in English. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.-- Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees in the organization. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Ability to implement appropriate metrics and monitoring. Ability to perform calculations and record data accurately. Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Basic understanding of statistical process control (SPC) and the ability to implement appropriate metrics and monitoring. REASONING ABILITY Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Experience and / or knowledge of continuous quality improvement systems and implementations and Lean Manufacturing concepts. Requires the ability to:-- Carry out the functions of the position and accomplish operational goals. Work with all functional areas of the business and coordinate diverse expectations into common goals. Plan, organize, and prioritize work processes to meet schedules and timelines. Analyze situations and accurately adopt an effective course of action. Quickly sort through the impact of changes on one's own job duties and work process. Remain focused when faced with competing demands and deadline pressures. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Bachelor's degree in science or business-related field and at least 3 years demonstrated experience with production systems and continuous improvement methods. Additional training in APICS, ASQ or related business organizations (such as Six Sigma, Lean) preferred.-- PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. For safety, the use of contact lenses for any reason, cosmetic or corrective, is prohibited on the production floor, in the lab areas, in the engineering shop, or while working on equipment. The company will provide prescription safety glasses with a current (less than 12 months) vision corrective prescription provided by the employee. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. MENTAL DEMANDS : The mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to maintain a pleasant and professional manner with coworkers, vendors and customers. Must effectively handle and prioritize multiple tasks, concentrate on work while surrounded by distractions, meet constant deadlines, and work as a team player. The employee must be able to make decisions on imperfect information, communicate and give complex oral and/or written instructions, and work independently under limited/no supervision. Must be able to not only complete tasks based on limited instruction and information but also be able to devise improvements without being asked. The employee is expected to work with a high level of confidentiality and ethical behavior and handle a high level of stress. The employee is expected to cooperate with instructions given from supervisory and/or management staff. Friendly, positive attitude and dependable attendance required and must work well under pressure. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately noisy. Work in non-climate controlled environment. SAFETY Employees are provided with information about workplace safety and health issues and receive periodic safety training. The training covers potential safety and health hazards. All employees are expected to maintain a safe work environment, obey safety rules and exercise caution in all work activities. DISCLAIMER:
                The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.
                Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. EEO Statement We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at TalentManagement@avantorsciences.com --and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Equal Employment Opportunity is THE LAW Poster, EEO is the Law Poster Supplement, and Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination Provision using the links below.EEO is the Law OFCCP EEO Su pplement PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION 3rd party non-solicitation policyBy submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates, regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation Posted 15 Days Ago Full time R-122709 About Us Avantor-- is a leading global provider of integrated, tailored solutions for the life sciences and advanced technology industries. Strengthened by the recent acquisition of VWR, the Company is a trusted partner to customers and suppliers from discovery to delivery. With operations in more than 30 countries and a diverse portfolio that includes more than four million products, Avantor enables customer success through innovation, cGMP manufacturing and comprehensive service offerings. Collectively, we set science in motion to create a better world.

Keywords: Avantor, Santa Barbara , Process Engineer, Engineering , Carpinteria, California