Manufacturing Engineer

Nekoosa Process Engineer with a $10000 Sign on bonus

Drive process efficiency and operational excellence by leading and sustaining continuous improvement initiatives across the organization. Support a culture of safety standardization and data-driven decision-making to deliver measurable cost reductions reduce waste improve equipment performance and strengthen quality systems through effective cross-functional collaboration.

Organizational Development 20%

• Safety & Standardization: Integrate safety considerations into all improvement initiatives while developing and sustaining standard work that ensures consistent safe and efficient operations.
• Continuous Improvement Culture: Strengthen a culture of continuous improvement by embedding data-driven problem-solving visual management and structured CI practices into daily operations.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner effectively with Operations Maintenance Quality Supply Chain and Technology to drive adoption and sustain productivity improvements through clear communication training and performance tracking.

Manufacturing Process Excellence 60%

• Operational Performance & Cost Impact: Deliver measurable cost savings exceeding $300K annually by improving machine reliability streamlining changeovers reducing scrap and implementing process improvements across coater and sheeting operations.
• Production Performance & Process Optimization: Drive manufacturing operations to exceed machine performance targets by enhancing efficiency reducing scrap and increasing throughput. Provide technical guidance to implement new processes optimize existing operations and support new product introductions while maintaining high product quality and customer satisfaction.
• Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving: Lead process improvement initiatives by analyzing operational gaps applying data-driven solutions and collaborating with cross-functional teams to sustain efficiency gains standardize best practices and drive operational excellence.
• Continuous Improvement Tracking & Pipeline Management: Track and report the effectiveness of implemented process improvements manage a CI project pipeline exceeding $750K to prioritize and monitor initiatives identify further optimization opportunities and ensure sustained operational gains.

Operational Metrics and Project Leadership 20%

• Performance Metrics & Team Engagement: Champion team understanding of key KPIs (safety productivity scrap rate throughput changeover times) through dashboards visual aids hands-on training and daily team huddles. Leverage real-time data to guide decisions support cross-functional collaboration and implement process enhancements while engaging mentoring and developing the team.
• Project Execution: Complete all assigned projects on budget on time and deliver expected payback while complying with safety policies and company regulations.
• Best Practice Sharing: Facilitate the dissemination of successful process improvements and operational practices across teams shifts and sites to drive consistent performance and accelerate continuous improvement adoption.

Required Qualifications:

Education: Degree in engineering (Paper Science Chemistry Mechanical Industrial) manufacturing and/or a related technical field.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years experience in a manufacturing environment with demonstrated exposure to Lean Manufacturing principles.

Travel: The travel requirements of this position are up to 10%.

Key Skills and Attributes:

• Leadership Demonstrated leadership ability to guide teams influence outcomes and drive results in a manufacturing environment.
• Analytical Thinking Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with data-driven approach to continuous improvement.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail to ensure consistent quality and compliance across all production processes.
• Communication Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effectively interacting with team members suppliers and senior management.
• Adaptability- Ability to quickly adapt processes to meet changing demands and production requirements.
• Proficiency with operational software statistical tools (e.g. Minitab) and root cause analysis techniques.
• Strong computer skills including advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Excel is essential)
• Ability to lead cross functional teams through the CI process using tools such as 8D Kaizen 5 Whys DMAIC FMEA.

We Can Offer You:
Benefits are the game changer! We value our employees health and happiness by providing new hires benefit eligibility on the 1st of the month following date of hire. Our benefits may include:

• Relocation assistance available
• Low cost of living stable manufacturing environment
• Hands-on engineering leadership opportunity
• High visibility role with direct plant impact
• Competitive medical dental life AD&D and vision insurance plans.
• Generous annual time off allotment including vacation (based on company service) parental leave paid volunteer time sick or emergency time and 12 holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement (up to $5250 per year) scholarships for dependents monthly cell phone reimbursement and annual steel toe and prescription safety glasses reimbursement.
• 401(k) Employee Assistance Program (available to employees and their families) annual bonus program referral bonus program (up to $1750) STD LTD and much more!

Who We Are:
Nekoosa is the premier manufacturer of specialty print media with a 60-year legacy of innovation. We offer an extensive portfolio of pressure sensitive films waterproof synthetic paper specialty print media overlaminates application tapes and carbonless papers used to produce general-purpose signage; window wall and floor graphics; waterproof menus; cut lettering and decals; and multipart forms.

Nekoosa has 6 locations across the U.S. and a partner Fourbases in Aalter Belgium. Our expertise spans coating converting and custom plastic extrusion capabilities. We have built an energized culture focused on growth employee development and market leadership. Our success is rooted in our people and we are committed to promoting work/life balance and integration by investing significantly in employee-friendly policies and practices. Whether you are looking to start make a change or advance your career find your path at Nekoosa and leave your mark on the world.

The Fine Print:
A post-offer background check and drug screen is required.
Nekoosa provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability you may contact human resources at

#Nekoosa

Required Experience:

IC