Lead Process Engineer

Lead and coordinate the Process Engineering function, establish annual objectives and maintain improvement roadmaps.

Prioritize engineering resources and improvement projects based on business requirements and expected impact.

Develop engineering standards, best practices, systems and processes.

Mentor process engineers and serve as the senior technical escalation point for manufacturing process performance issues.

Own site-level performance and improvement programs for yield, gross margin, cycle time, throughput, process capability, cost reduction, overall equipment effectiveness and right-first-time performance.

Identify losses and performance gaps, analyze trends, recommend actions, establish improvement targets and monitor effectiveness.

Identify opportunities to improve gross margin and overhead allocation through yield improvement, waste reduction, solvent recovery and removal optimization, energy reduction, labor productivity and equipment utilization.

Quantify financial benefits, build business cases and report savings generated through implemented improvements.

Provide regular updates to MS/TS, Engineering and Operations leadership.

Perform value-stream analyses to identify bottlenecks and production constraints.

Improve equipment utilization, changeover efficiency, batch cycle times, process throughput and scheduling effectiveness.

Support debottlenecking initiatives and capacity expansion plans.

Partner with Production to improve schedule adherence and operational execution.

Own the site’s five-year portfolio of process-related capital projects and prioritize projects based on safety, compliance, capacity, cost, growth and value preservation.

Lead multiple minor capital projects, typically less than $1 million each, from scope development and funding requests through startup and closeout.

Develop project scopes, estimates, engineering justifications and schedules; coordinate contractors, vendors, Operations and Quality.

Review and approve project scope changes and ensure projects achieve objectives related to capacity, reliability, cost reduction, safety, compliance and technology upgrades.

Support commissioning and Operational Readiness Reviews, and lead engineering activities related to equipment qualification, commissioning, startup and requalification.

Develop and execute risk assessments, impact assessments and qualification protocols.

Lead and facilitate process hazard analyses, HAZOPs, What-If reviews, job safety analyses and Management of Change activities.

Identify process safety risks, implement engineering controls and ensure process modifications maintain acceptable safety and regulatory compliance.

Support Process Safety Management and site safety initiatives.

Serve as a key technical owner for governance and compliance of master batch production records (MBPRs).

Partner with MS/TS, Production and Quality during new product introduction, scale-up, technology transfer and process improvements.

Ensure batch documentation accurately reflects current process design and control strategies.

Lead site process optimization strategies and facilitate Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence initiatives.

Develop long-term improvement pipelines and project portfolios.

Partner with Production leadership to improve operations and drive engineering solutions that reduce variability and improve process robustness.

This is a site-based role located in Alabaster, Alabama.

The role works in a laboratory and manufacturing environment and may involve contact with organic solvents, biological samples and caustic chemicals.

The position is active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling and stooping. Occasional lifting or moving of items up to 50 pounds is required.

Occasional business travel to Croda and contractor sites in the United States and internationally may be required.

This on-site position is located in Alabaster, Alabama.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the hiring process or experience any issues with our online application process, please email candidate@croda.com.

At Croda, we believe our people are our difference. We are people-led, driven by the desire to do good and deliver value. Guided by our values of Responsible, Innovative and Together, we bring together diverse teams and talents to create an inclusive, collaborative organization where innovation and customer focus underpin all that we do.

Croda recognizes employees as our strength, and the diversity they bring to our workforce is directly linked to our ongoing success. We are an equal opportunity employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, we make reasonable accommodations for applicants’ and employees’ religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veterans. This Organization Participates in E-Verify.