Manager, Process Engineering - Little Rock, AR

Trex Company

$105K — $130K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering required
  • 8+ years of process engineering/project leadership experience
  • Experience in plant startup, commissioning, and equipment validation
  • Strong understanding of extrusion processes and bulk solids handling
  • Familiarity with quality control and materials knowledge (plastic composites)
  • Proficiency in statistical process control and recipe management
  • Experience with contractor management

Responsibilities

  • Champion a culture of safety and prioritize employee well-being
  • Oversee performance of extrusion, compounding, and downstream systems
  • Develop and maintain process control strategies and setpoints
  • Minimize scrap and downtime while enhancing overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
  • Lead validation of processes during startup and ramp-up phases
  • Optimize temperature and pressure profiles in manufacturing processes
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams and guide technical modifications

Benefits

  • Paid holidays and vacation time
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance with generous employer contribution
  • 401(k) plan with company match
  • Tuition reimbursement for higher education
  • Extensive training and educational opportunities
  • Employee stock purchase program at a discounted rate
  • Discount program on Trex products
Full Job Description
We are looking for a Manager, Process Engineering, to be accountable for process stability, capability, and continuous improvement of extrusion-based manufacturing operations. As a Trex Manager, Process Engineering, you will be looked to as an innovator in the manufacturing process and expected to serve as the technical owner of the decking, reprocessing (recycling), and compounding extrusion processes, ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation while maximizing throughput, yield, and product quality. This role is a key member of our Engineering team.

Our Operations team is guided by 5 beliefs:
  1. We put people first
  2. We all operate on the same page
  3. We own it
  4. We are always tuned for success
  5. We make dynamic decisions

It's how we started and how we continue to lead the industry - finding intersections of opportunity and hard work, digging in, and digging deep. The result is progress, both for the company and for the people building their careers here. If you are values-driven and share our beliefs, if you are willing to hold yourself and others accountable to the highest standards, then Trex is a place you can call home.

RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Put safety first - Always!
  • Lead and foster our "people first" culture

Process Ownership & Optimization
  • Own process performance for extrusion, compounding, material handling, and downstream systems
  • Establish and maintain process windows, setpoints, and control strategies
  • Drive reduction of process variability, scrap, and downtime
  • Improve OEE through throughput, uptime, and yield improvements

Startup, Ramp-Up & Stabilization
  • Lead process validation during startup and rate increases
  • Transition of new or modified processes into stable production

Extrusion & Compounding Expertise
  • Optimize process temperature and pressure profiles
  • Manage recycled content and feedstock variability impacts

Control Strategy & Data-Driven Improvement
  • Partner with controls to improve PID loop performance
  • Define KPIs and dashboards; leverage SPC and DOE

Process Governance & Documentation
  • Establish standard operating conditions and MOC processes
  • Own process FMEAs and technical standards

Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Work closely with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, CI, EHS, and Project Engineering.
  • Act as a technical advisor during equipment modifications

Team Development
  • Lead and mentor process engineers
  • Develop structured problem-solving capability

Capital Project Execution
  • Support and lead capital projects as needed
  • Help develop a site-specific YoY capital plan
  • Develop defensible scopes, budgets, schedules, and risk plans
  • Drive strong vendor specifications and acceptance testing standards
  • Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget

DIRECT REPORTS

Manage and provide ongoing performance, coaching, and professional development opportunities for a team of 4 direct reports.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

This position requires 2-3 trips to our HQ location in Winchester, VA, in the first 90 days of employment. After that, you will be required to travel to our HQ location in Winchester, VA, approximately 1-2 times per quarter.

JOB LOCATION

Little Rock, Arkansas, United States (on-site)

POSITION TYPE

Full-Time/Regular

EXPERIENCE

We are looking for leaders with a bachelor's degree in engineering, along with 8+ years of process engineering/project leadership experience. Experience in plant startup, commissioning, and equipment validation is also required. We want to hear from you if you have previous experience as an Engineering Manager.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of:
  • Extrusion processes
  • Bulk solids handling & material conveyance
  • Quality control
  • Materials knowledge (plastic composites)
  • Statistical process control
  • Recipe management
  • Utilities infrastructure
  • Contractor management

At Trex, we believe in persevering even when there's no road map, embracing groundbreaking as a way of life. We encourage multiple perspectives and welcome diverse people who problem-solve, adapt, and innovate - always with a firm foundation in safety and integrity.

SALARY

Base Salary Range: $105,000 - $130,000 annually

The salary range provided serves as a general guideline for potential compensation for this position. It reflects the base salary and does not account for other benefits or additional compensation opportunities that may apply. This role is also eligible for further compensation through an annual bonus, in addition to the base salary.

At Trex, individual base salaries are determined based on various factors, including relevant skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location. We are committed to maintaining pay equity and consider the internal equity of our existing team members when finalizing compensation offers. In addition to competitive pay, Trex offers a comprehensive benefits package, which is detailed below.

BENEFITS & PERKS

We believe that real effort should be rewarded. We take care of you as part of our Trex family so you can take care of yours. Here are some of the perks beyond the paycheck:
  • Time Off: We'll give you paid holidays and paid vacation.
  • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Choose from a variety of options. We'll cover a generous share of the cost. Plus, you can earn lower rates through our wellness program.
  • 401(k) With Company Match: Save for your retirement, and we'll match it dollar for dollar.
  • Tuition Reimbursement: We're all about lifting each other to the next level. When you're ready to get the degree, we'll pick up part of the tab.
  • Training and Education: We offer dozens of options to boost your performance - both online and on-site nearby.
  • Stock Purchase Program: Invest in Trex at a discounted price.
  • Employee Discount Program: When you make the World's No. 1 Decking Brand, you'll probably want to enjoy the finished product yourself. We'll give you a discount.

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