Manufacturing Process Engineering Manager

The Manufacturing Process Engineering Manager leads key initiatives to optimize and continuously improve manufacturing processes to ensure efficient, cost‑effective production that meets the highest standards of quality and safety. This role serves as the plant’s primary technical liaison, driving process innovation, reducing defects, supporting customer requirements, and maintaining ISO certification. The position also involves leading and developing a team of engineers, collaborating cross‑functionally, and implementing sustainable solutions that enhance operational performance.

Essential Functions

• Develop, design, and communicate manufacturing processes to ensure safe, cost‑effective, and efficient production.
• Monitor process performance and implement improvements to drive cost savings, efficiency gains, and quality enhancement.
• Participate in design reviews to strengthen manufacturability and long‑term process capability.
• Troubleshoot process and equipment issues; coordinate with maintenance, production, and support teams to implement sustainable solutions.
• Coordinate installation, validation, and updates for new or modified processes.
• Ensure process conditions are controlled and monitored according to specification for consistent product performance.
• Ensure process changes follow established MSA/CSA sequences and documentation workflows.
• Evaluate training needs and deliver process‑related training to production employees.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience
• Proven industrial operations experience (minimum 3 years)
• Strong analytical, problem ‑ solving, leadership, and communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Outlook, and SAP Demonstrated ability to collaborate across functions and drive alignment
  

Education & Experience

• Bachelors of Science in Engineering degree, (Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing) is required; a Master’s degree is preferred

• Minimum 6-10 years of total experience, with at least 3-5 years in a supervisory or leadership capacity within a manufacturing environment.

• Minimum 3 years of experience in an industrial operations environment; experience in extrusion manufacturing or a related manufacturing environment strongly preferred

• Deep knowledge of manufacturing processes (machining, assembly, automation) quality control systems, (SPC, ISO standards or audit-related function (preferred)

• Demonstrated ability to manage teams, mentor engineers, and drive personnel developments

• Strong proficiency in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt preferred), and continuous improvement techniques.
  
  

Additional Qualifications

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, and SAP

• Demonstrated effectiveness in critical communication with both internal teams and external customers to gain alignment and drive progress toward goals

• Proven ability to collaborate across functions to resolve complex or time ‑ sensitive issues

• Strong analytical and problem ‑ solving skills, with solid leadership and communication abilities

• Working knowledge of quality systems, statistical analysis methods, and process optimization tools
  
  

Competencies

• Each position at Avient focuses on eight Core Competencies as a Leader of Self. Additionally, management positions focus on Leadership Competencies as a Leader of Others and/or a Leader of the Business. These competencies are designed to drive behavior that will ultimately help our associates excel at their current roles, while supporting individual and career development.

Our purpose at Avient Corporation is to be an innovator of materials solutions that help our customers succeed, while enabling a sustainable world.

Innovation goes far beyond materials science; it’s powered by the passion, creativity, and diverse expertise of 9,000 professionals worldwide. Whether you’re a finance wizard, a tech enthusiast, an operational powerhouse, an HR changemaker, or a trailblazer in materials development, you’ll find your place at Avient.

Join our global team and help shape the future with sustainable solutions that transform possibilities into realities. Your unique perspective could be the key to our next breakthrough!

We believe that all of our global employees are leaders and that the six most important behaviors for driving our strategy and culture are the same no matter if an employee is a leader of self, a leader of others, or a leader of the business.

By playing to win, acting customer centric, driving innovation and profitable growth, collaborating seamlessly across Avient, and motivating and inspiring and developing others and yourself you will accelerate your ability to achieve Avient’s strategic goals, to meet our customer needs, and to accomplish your career goals.

At Avient, we believe a wide variety of thoughts, ideas and backgrounds gives us the creativity to be successful in a rapidly changing world. In support of this, we stress equality of opportunity for all qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Decisions on hiring, promotion, development, compensation or advancement are based solely on a person’s qualifications, abilities, experience and performance.

Avient is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of non-discrimination in providing equal employment to all qualified employees and candidates regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran’s status, or other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to complete an online application, please contact the Avient HR Team by emailing, [email protected] .