Process Engineer - PET
Silgan Plastics Corporation

For more than 50 years, Silgan Plastics has defined the plastic bottling industry from technical innovation to creative packaging solutions. No matter what your packaging needs, Silgan can and will handle them. From creation to commercialization, our customized approach to each customer's requirements is what sets us apart from the rest.

Summary Description:

Process Engineer of PET/IBM Products is responsible for the execution of projects for all new bottle products commercialized for Silgan Plastics on PET/IBM platforms (SBM, IBM), and to support the Silgan Plastic Operation sites with technical knowledge to resolve PET/IBM processing issues.

This role is responsible for oversight of product design, tool design, platform selection as well as to conduct trials and product qualifications, to successfully meet customer requirements for the new PET bottles.

This role requires a close interaction with the plant, operations, maintenance, setup, safety, and quality teams.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Able to work safely in an environment with industrial equipment. • Responsible for development of new PET bottles, including the selection of platform and tooling.

• Able to effectively communicate with plant process setup technicians and equipment operators to resolve issues.

• Ability to read and understand product part drawings (bottle, closure, etc.) and specifications to understand what features are critical to part function and performance.

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of plastic materials and processing requirements.

• Ability to follow procedures to document whether process tests are a success or failure. Document the criteria for success prior to beginning process run.

• Able to provide independent recommendations for process changes to drive improvements based on process evaluations performed in Silgan Plants.

• Collaborate with product designer, procurement team members, project managers, and other process engineers in the execution of the design phase for new PET products.

• Collaborate with other Process Engineers and Plant Personnel for the creation of visual aids and training materials.

• Ability to determine when a process is in control after process adjustments are made prior to taking retained samples for evaluations.

• Ability to perform basic troubleshooting on PET/IBM machinery.

• Work with plant teams to assist with job changes and process set up as required to resolve issues.

Verify Process Set up on existing processes and establish processes on new products.

Verify that the correct materials are being used and are properly prepared.

Verify that equipment is functioning within appropriate operating conditions.

Startup process on production machine and evaluate parts to determine if meets targets (Quality, Cycle time, efficiencies, etc.)

Work with plant operations team to execute recommendations.

Monitor the production quality of samples produced during process evaluations and sample runs.

Use data (statistical methods) to determine the best process or quantify improvements.

• Support PDE (Product Development Engineer) on new product startups.

Target process parameters to develop process for new products.

Determine the optimum process to meet product performance requirements.

• Document parameters used in multiple process runs.

• Document process window - key process variables

Communicate and document recommendations for product improvement.

• Participate in Continuous improvement projects for PET/IBM lines.

• Able to use MS Office based programs (primarily MS Word, Excel, and MS Project) to document results or process evaluations performed in Silgan Operations Plants

• Support Pricing team with timely accurate information for quotation development.

• Willingness to travel to support the Operations teams and Qualifications at the PET/IBM Silgan locations.

• Supporting Sales and Marketing by promoting Silgan capabilities to existing or potential new customers

• Promote best practices for plant efficiency, quality, and safety.

• Identification of OEE improvements and driving actions to implement the needed changes.

• Develop and deliver training to PET/IBM operations and maintenance teams. • Able to operate the Pilot Line in Hazelwood, MO and being able to produce preforms, blow bottles and use of the antistatic spraying system, and able to pack out products coming out of the line.

LOCATION: Hazelwood, MO or Seymour, Indiana

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: 25-50% Travel pending project assignments. EDUCATION:

Required: High School Diploma (minimum) or related field experience greater than 7 years.

Preferred:

• 7 year or greater track record of successful management of New Product Development projects for markets served by Silgan Plastics

Preferred:

• Demonstrated plastics processing and material knowledge for SBM/IBM related platforms.

• Prior experience in operations and/or quality assurance in plastics containers industry.

• Project Management skills.

• Understanding of statistical analysis tools.

• Track record of successful development on PET/IBM products.

SKILLS: Required:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills. • Analytical problem-solving skills.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER (Non-Canada)

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

Silgan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or the presence of a disability, which would not prevent the performance of essential job duties with, or without reasonable accommodation of any other protective status.

Silgan is a drug-free workplace.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER - Canada

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to accommodate individuals with disabilities. Silgan endeavors to provide accommodations to individuals with disabilities to perform their essential job duties as long as the accommodation does not pose an undue hardship on the company's operations and does not pose a direct threat of substantial harm to the employee or others.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Employment is always subject to the Silgan's rights as employer, including the right to end employment in accordance with Provincial Law.

Silgan is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to any ground protected under Provincial human rights laws.

Silgan is a drug-free workplace.