Manager, Process Engineering

The Opportunity:

Avantor is seeking a highly motivated Process Engineering Manager to lead our process engineering team in supporting the production of high-quality silicone polymers. 

This individual will play a key role in driving process improvements, ensuring product quality, supporting process safety initiatives, and leading technology transfers from R&D to full-scale manufacturing.  The ideal candidate will bring strong technical expertise, proven leadership abilities, and a collaborative spirit to help elevate operational performance and build a high-functioning team.

This role will be a full-time position based out of our Bakersfield, CA office.

What we’re looking for: 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, or related field) or Chemistry.
• Experience:
• Minimum 5+years of experience in a process engineering, manufacturing, or R&D role, with at least 2 years in a leadership or managerial capacity.
• Additional Qualifications: 
• Demonstrated experience in silicone polymer manufacturing or a closely related specialty chemicals environment is strongly preferred.
• Solid understanding of process safety principles, scale-up methodologies, and manufacturing best practices.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication abilities.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across departments and organizational levels.
• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives such as Lean, Six Sigma, or similar a plus.

How you will thrive and create an impact: 

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of process engineers to support daily manufacturing operations and long-term improvement initiatives.
• Lead team to identify and resolve production issues through effective root cause analysis and implementation of robust corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Collaborate with R&D and manufacturing teams to successfully scale up lab or pilot batches to commercial production.
• Lead to design and execute pilot trials aimed at optimizing and enhancing manufacturing processes.
• Champion the team to implement elements of process safety management (PSM) including:
  • Development and maintenance of Process Safety Information (PSI)
  • Leading and supporting Management of Change (MOC) processes
  • Facilitating Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR)
  • Managing procedural changes and serving as an instructor or certifier for operational training programs
• Serve as a leader in site safety initiatives, ensuring alignment with EHS standards and promoting a culture of safety.
• Actively participate in Operations Staff Meetings, contributing technical insights and leadership guidance.
• Lead team to facilitate Kaizen events and A3 problem solving efforts to drive continuous improvement.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration with teams in manufacturing, R&D, project engineering, EHS, Quality, and maintenance, as well as process engineering teams from other sites.

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.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.
 
The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.
 
We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world. Apply today!

Pay Transparency:

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