Process Improvement Professional I

Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leader whose focus on materials science delivers tomorrow’s breakthroughs today. From industry-leading molecules to sustainable innovations, Milliken creates products that enhance people’s lives and deliver solutions for its customers and communities. Drawing on thousands of patents and a portfolio with applications across the textile, flooring, chemical and healthcare businesses, the company harnesses a shared sense of integrity and excellence to positively impact the world for generations. Discover more about Milliken’s curious minds and inspired solutions at Milliken.com and on Facebook, Instagram and  LinkedIn.

POSITION TITLE / LOCATION

Process Improvement Engineer/Process Improvement Specialist/ Technologist

JOB CLASSIFICATION

Manager

POSITION REPORTS TO:

Process Improvement Manager

POSITION OVERVIEW

Responsible for maintaining detailed & complete process specifications. Works with team to optimize assigned processes in the plant. Accountable for all off quality that is process related, then establishing and following corrective actions.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Regular and predictable attendance
• Develop a thorough understanding of all factors and conditions that impact the processes and products, including environmental impacts
• Use sound project management skills to manage multiple improvement projects
• Analyze problems and implement solutions using critical thinking skills and focused improvement methods
• Incorporate creative thinking into the problem-solving approach to identify unique and different ways to make things better/more consistent/faster/cheaper/efficient
• Prepare diagrams, charts, tables to reflect findings and support recommendations
• Communicate and work effectively with associates to accomplish project and location goals
• Participate fully in the Safety Process and serve as a resource for an OSHA VPP safety subcommittee and follow Safety Leader Standard Work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree (Specialist) in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Textile Engineering

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Manufacturing experience

SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent oral & written communication skills.
• Mechanical aptitude and technical skills
• Strong decision-making abilities
• Good analytical skills & decision-making skills.
• Negotiating skills
• Good planning and organizational skills.
• Strong presentation skills in group settings
• Ability to manage and work in teams
• Adapts readily to change

AUTHORIZED TRAINING TIME

6 Months

MACHINES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Office Equipment, Computer software and hardware.  Books, Manuals. All Plant Equipment including airjet weave machines, slashers, beamers, inspection frames, powered and manual material handling equipment.  Weaver tools. Technician Tools.  SAP, BARCO Monitoring, Machine gauges.  Both natural and synthetic yarns and fabrics.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT USED:

• Ear plugs
• Steel Toe Safety Shoes
• Safety Glasses

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS                                FREQUENCY, AMOUNT, OR DESCRIPTION  

1. Standing Must be able to stand to observe the operations.  For example:  standing in one area at an inspection frame to inspect fabric, taking notes for an audit or analysis of a process.                                                25% of day 
2. Sitting:  Must be able to sit & participate in meetings lasting 1 to 8 hours. Must be able to sit at desk to input data, analyze data, and develop presentations  25% of day 
3. Moving: Must be able to walk freely around and between running and stopped weaving machines to evaluate performance, diagnose problems, and initiate corrective action.   Must be able to move over 316,000 square feet weaving facility to make observations for problems, follow up with associates, and assure process correctness daily for 8 Hours/day.  80% of day 
4. Lifting: Ability to lift up to 35 lbs. 2% of day 
5. Ascending/Descending: Must be able to step up and down off weaving platform which are 10" and 5" off the ground to inspect machines and start them.  10% of day 
6. Push/Pull/Reach: Must be able to reach 12” up to 48" to grasp a warp yarn end.  Guide reed hook through heddle and reed, then pull warp yarn end through.  Must be able to reach anywhere from 8” to 24" into a filling case to grasp filling packages weighing between 8 and 25 pounds and place package on creel stand.  5% of day
7. Bending: Must be able to bend and stoop to reach ends that have gone into tunnels or that have broken to repair stop.   Must be able to bend or stoop to inspect equipment or product.                                                    10% of day 
8. Visual Acuity: Ability to read and understand specifications and computer screen, tie knots, and spot defects in patterns.  Ability to see tickets and written instructions, read manuals, specs, etcetera                          100% of day  
9. Cognitive: Alert.   Must possess the alertness, perception, and reasoning power necessary for understanding, assimilating, & decision making. 100% of day
10. Work Environment: Ability to work in cotton dust environment.  Meet cotton pulmonary function requirements.  Must be able to hear power equipment operating in work area.  Ability to work in high noise production environment, wear approved ear protection and slip resistant shoes.  This job operates in a manufacturing facility.   This role regularly works around moving mechanical parts and material handling equipment.  80% of day
11. Work Environment:  Regular and predictable attendance. 100% of day

WORK ENVIRONMENT/SAFETY-SENSITIVE POSITION

This job operates in a manufacturing facility. This position is a safety-sensitive position and regularly works around moving mechanical parts and powered industrial vehicles. Noise level is generally loud, and associates are required to wear ear protection. Because we run some cotton products, associates are required to meet cotton pulmonary function requirements to work in this weave facility.

SHIFT/WORK HOURS

Shift schedule will depend on open positions at time of hire and will be communicated with new hire paperwork. Weekends and holidays are scheduled depending on business demands. Work hours are generally 7:00am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND ACCOMMODATIONS

The company is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to any protected characteristic. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. The Company retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.        

Milliken is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, including but not limited to lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To request a reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, a job interview, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact TalentAcquisition@milliken.com.