Are you an experienced engineering leader who enjoys developing people, improving manufacturing processes, and turning capital investments into meaningful operational results? Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials is seeking an Engineering Manager to lead the Engineering function at our Libertyville, IL facility.
Reporting to the Site Manager and serving as a member of the Site Leadership Team, this role is responsible for strengthening plant manufacturing operations and facilities through capital planning, process improvement, engineering innovation, and team development. You will lead a team of three while partnering closely with Production, Maintenance, Safety, Quality, ICT, and Engineering to improve safety, reliability, productivity, and overall plant performance.
If you're a hands-on engineering leader who can balance strategic capital planning with day-to-day manufacturing improvement, this is an opportunity to make a significant impact.
What You'll DoLead & Develop the Engineering Team
- Lead, coach, and develop direct reports within the Engineering organization
- Provide ongoing performance coaching and create meaningful career development plans
- Lead and support Engineering Interns when utilized
- Build technical capabilities within the team and create opportunities for continued growth
- Establish department priorities and training plans that align with overall site objectives
Drive Manufacturing & Process Improvement
- Lead continuous improvement and innovation across manufacturing processes and equipment
- Develop, troubleshoot, and refine manufacturing processes to improve plant performance
- Identify and implement new technologies and product strategies while continuously improving existing processes
- Drive improvements involving automation, controls, and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
- Apply Six Sigma methodologies, including DMAIC, DOE, StableOps, SPC, and OEE, to solve manufacturing challenges and improve performance
- Design, execute, and analyze experiments using a DOE approach and translate findings into actionable improvements
Lead Capital Planning & Execution
- Develop, prioritize, and manage the site's Capital Budget
- Maintain visibility to capital project scope, timelines, costs, and execution
- Review and route site capital requests for approval
- Lead the Engineering team in executing multiple capital projects simultaneously
- Provide technical support across departments to ensure effective use of capital, manufacturing equipment, and personnel
- Manage facility improvement plans and support cost-saving projects
Champion Safety
- Serve as a strong safety leader for the Engineering Department and broader facility
- Drive safety initiatives that ensure equipment and manufacturing processes are safe for employees
- Serve as the primary point of accountability for contractor safety on capital projects
- Incorporate safety considerations into engineering designs, equipment improvements, and capital investments
Partner with Site Leadership
- Serve as an active member of the Site Leadership Team
- Help establish site and department goals and prioritize Engineering resources based on business needs
- Partner with Production, Maintenance, Safety, Quality, ICT, and other functions to solve technical and operational challenges
- Coordinate with other Mitsubishi Chemical sites on major initiatives and share technical knowledge and continuous improvement best practices
- Work closely with Maintenance to develop and oversee facility and equipment preventive maintenance schedules
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering
- 5–8 years of experience in project and/or process engineering
- 1–3 years of experience supervising a team
- Detailed knowledge and practical experience with Six Sigma methodologies
- Proven ability to lead and develop employees in continuous improvement tools and techniques
- Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to read blueprints and understand industrial equipment
- Experience designing, planning, managing, and completing engineering and capital projects
- Experience managing capital budgets with an understanding of cost accounting
- Ability to apply quality engineering and technical principles to manufacturing challenges
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, including problem identification, analysis, and resolution
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience delivering presentations
- Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities
Technical Skills
- Microsoft Office
- AutoCAD
- SolidWorks
- Minitab
- Six Sigma tools and methodologies
- DOE, DMAIC, SPC and OEE
- Automation, controls, and MES knowledge
What Will Help You Succeed
The ideal candidate combines technical engineering expertise with strong people leadership. You'll need to be comfortable moving between the plant floor, capital project planning, technical problem-solving, and Site Leadership Team discussions.
Success in this role will also require the ability to prioritize multiple initiatives, influence across functions, coach engineers, and translate technical opportunities into practical improvements that support the site's safety, quality, cost, and operational objectives.
If you're an engineering leader who enjoys developing people, solving complex manufacturing challenges, and turning continuous improvement and capital strategy into measurable results, we encourage you to apply and join our team in Libertyville, IL.
The salary range for this position is $110,200 - $137,800 USD Annual. Factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, job-related skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations may influence base pay offered. This salary will be subject to a geographic adjustment (according to a specific city and state), if an authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting.
