Job Description:Position SummaryThe Continuous Improvement Engineer will partner closely with production, engineering, quality, maintenance, supply chain, and leadership teams to identify opportunities, implement sustainable process improvements, and help establish Penn Color as the global benchmark within our industry.
This position is full time and based onsite in Hatfield, PA, with approximately 15% domestic and international travel required.
What You'll DoAs a Continuous Improvement Engineer, you will:
- Lead Lean Six Sigma initiatives using DMAIC methodologies to eliminate process inefficiencies and improve operational performance
- Develop and execute continuous improvement projects across manufacturing and business operations
- Partner with cross-functional teams to drive stakeholder engagement, project execution, and sustainable implementation strategies
- Establish and monitor KPIs and project success metrics to measure impact and long-term effectiveness
- Identify and reduce waste using Lean principles, including TIMWOODS methodologies
- Analyze operational data and implement statistical process control and value stream mapping techniques
- Research and implement tools/software to track and visualize project progress, cost savings, implementation status, and sustainment metrics
- Support standardization and documentation of Penn Color best practices across global manufacturing sites
- Collaborate with third-party vendors and consultants as needed to support project implementation and training initiatives
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, accountability, and operational excellence throughout the organization
- Support both domestic and international manufacturing facilities across the U.S., Europe, and Asia
What We're Looking ForThe ideal candidate will bring a strong combination of technical expertise, leadership capability, and interpersonal influence.
Successful candidates are:
- Natural leaders who can motivate and influence teams at all organizational levels
- Collaborative and adaptable professionals who thrive in fast-paced manufacturing environments
- Innovative problem solvers with a passion for operational excellence and continuous learning
- Data-driven decision makers with strong analytical and project management skills
- Effective communicators who can build buy-in and drive organizational change
- Open-minded, humble, and willing to challenge existing processes to improve outcomes
Required Qualifications- Minimum of 5 years of process improvement experience within a manufacturing environment
- Proven experience leading Lean Six Sigma programs and continuous improvement initiatives
- Experience in operations and manufacturing environments
- Strong knowledge of Lean methodologies, DMAIC principles, statistical process control, and value stream mapping
- Excellent communication, organizational, and change management skills
- Ability to lead projects across departments and manage multiple priorities simultaneously
- Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally (~15%)
Preferred Qualifications- Experience within thermoplastics, color/additive masterbatch, compounding, or liquid dispersion manufacturing environments strongly preferred
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Quality Management, or a related technical discipline
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification required; Black Belt preferred
- Experience managing small teams, quality systems, or large-scale projects preferred
- Exposure to business strategy, operations management, or MBA coursework is a plus
Penn Color offers many tangible and intangible benefits to our full-time employees:
Tangible benefits include:
- Highly competitive compensation
- A choice between outstanding medical plans
- 401K with a strong company match
- PTO to balance your life
- Additional company perks
- And More!
Our intangible benefits really set us apart:
- Unmatched company stability
- Long-term career opportunity
- True open door, friendly environment
- Ability to "own" your role
- Company events that bring us all together
