Senior Process Improvement Engineer - Plastics Thermoforming and Extrusion

At GE Appliances, a Haier company, we come together to make “good things, for life.”  As the fastest-growing appliance company in the U.S., we’re powered by creators, thinkers and makers who believe that anything is possible and that there’s always a better way.  We believe in the power of our people and in giving them the freedom to explore, discover and build good things, together.  

The GE Appliances philosophy, backed by three simple commitments defines the way we work, invent, create, do business, and serve our communities: we come together, we always look for a better way, and we create possibilities. 

Interested in joining us on our journey? 

As the Senior Process Improvement Engineer, you will manage equipment and process effectiveness within a production area. You will troubleshoot process issues and drive operational improvements, through effective problem-solving and corrective action implementation, to continuously improve safety, quality, delivery, cost & morale. This role is 100% onsite.

Position

Senior Process Improvement Engineer - Plastics Thermoforming and Extrusion

Location

USA, Louisville, KY

How You'll Create Possibilities

EQUIPMENT:

• Own all equipment and tooling in the production area, from Advanced Mfg Engineer (AME) sign-off and forward.
• Serve as the primary troubleshooting resource for the process in the plant.
• Consult with maintenance staff on equipment repair.
• Monitor and work to improve Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE), especially availability, in the area.
• Drive TPM checklist completion and learnings to correct and prevent potential quality and downtime issues.
• Recommend equipment and tooling for existing process; consult and sign-off on new purchases when applicable.
• Consult with Maintenance Business Leader on the maintenance action item list and/or priorities for the area.
• Monitor and ensure the calibration of all equipment.
• Ensure compliance of the equipment and the manufactured product.
• Provide feedback on equipment specifications (Gray Book content) based upon best practices and lessons learned.
• Develop controlmen on startup, running, and shutdown procedures. Teach them parameters they can use to improve quality and throughput.
• Partner with plant TPM, ME, and AME teams to implement and maintain a robust TPM plan for all equipment.

CONTROLS ENGINEERING:

• Improve and direct Preventive Maintenance plan for assigned area.
• Root cause based troubleshooting to understand and correct safety, quality, and delivery issues with the equipment.
• Work with maintenance and Manufacturing Engineers to correct common cause issues.
• Support all plant priorities in the areas of EHS, Schedule Attainment, Spoilage & Yield, Labor & Overtime, Productivity, Spare Parts cost controls and Lean Manufacturing.
• Execute routine equipment purchases, to include presenting justification for capital expenses or process improvements, design and specification of equipment and standardization of equipment within manufacturing methods and safety requirements.
• Provide training and aid in trouble-shooting and downtime response in specified area of expertise.
• Steer up-time and equipment reliability improvements through simplification activities.
• Develop and guide cross functional projects with other departments and suppliers to make entire supply chain more robust, driving OEE.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT:

• Engage in and lead problem-solving for production area.
• Lead root cause identification of problems, implement appropriate countermeasures, and share across as best practice (yokoten).
• Partner with Plant Operations personnel to promote and support a team that reacts aggressively to factory inefficiencies.
• Work cross-functionally with Team Leaders, Kaizen Promotion Officers, Business Leaders and Lean resources on short term and long term improvement initiatives.
• Implement related countermeasures on manufacturing line(s) (kaizen activities).
• Implement Poka-Yoke work methods, and develop workstation aids to assist in operator job performance.
• Support the Team and Business Leaders in the planning and execution of work area rebalancing utilizing Yamazumi charts.