The Requirements

To meet the basic qualifications for this role you will have: 

• A bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology OR a 4-year technical degree with experience in manufacturing process and / or product improvement.
• Legal authorization to work permanently in the United States for any employer without requiring a visa transfer or visa sponsorship.

To be a strong fit for the Process Improvement Engineer opportunity you will need: 

• 4-6 years of process or improvement engineering experience in a manufacturing environment. Quick question for you - click here
• Demonstrated ability to collect and analyze complex data and draw conclusions.
• Demonstrated project management skills and success.
• Demonstrated group leadership success.
• Experience with polyolefin film, resin processes, plastics (extrusions, co-extrusions, film processing, etc.) will be a plus.
• Familiarity with failure mode and effects analysis methods. Six Sigma Green Belt certification is preferred. Quick question for you - click here
• The capability to promote team-working and collaboration among the different functions both at single and multiple sites.
• A proactive and dynamic approach in challenging existing processes and searching for new opportunities is required.
• Demonstrated data analysis and problem solving skills and the ability to draw conclusions from the data. 

In addition to your technical skills, you’ll need the following core competencies and characteristics:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to build relationships and trust cross-functionally. 
• The ability to lead and influence key stakeholders without having formal authority. 
• A proactive mindset, initiative, and a disposition toward action. 
• A strong sense of urgency, and calm under pressure. 
• Outstanding analytical and problem solving skills. 
• Comfort working in an office environment. 

You should be willing and able to travel no more than 10 percent of the time. You’ll also travel locally to our other facility in Concord (about 35 miles away from Charlotte) as needed.

The Role

Reporting to the Technical Manager, Continuous Improvement, as the Process Improvement Engineer you will join the Product Development team where you will be responsible for recognizing problem areas, developing improvement plans, executing those plans, providing assistance for employees and analyzing results. 

Part of the team is responsible for developing new product, and the remainder focuses on continuous improvement--which includes driving efficiencies, improving processes and lowering manufacturing costs. We handle both the product launches and commercialization of new products along with the improvement of existing / mature Celgard solutions. There are 20+ Technicians and Engineers in the group, and you can expect to work cross-functionally with a variety of team members throughout the company including the Chief Technology Officer, Sales and Marketing, Project Engineers, Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, and more. 

More specifically, you will: 

• Analyze quality and manufacturing cost data and trends to identify opportunity for improvement that support Celgard business objectives.
• Develop and prioritize tangible improvement plans using multiple resources, internal and external, as needed.
• Present opportunities and solutions to site and business leadership in order to gain support and commitment for implementation.
• Ensure implementation of business-supported projects
• Provide data to validate that projects deliver performance objectives after implementation.
• Develop control strategies for sustaining continuous improvement results.
• Mentor/develop relationships with operations personnel in order to drive continuous improvement across the manufacturing organization.

We utilize the Stage-Gate process for our product development and you will play a key role in various aspects of this function.

Note: this description is intended to give you a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities.

Why Celgard

Professional development -- this is an opportunity that will give you exposure to many different areas of the business and our unique solutions and processes. Because this is a new role, things will evolve over time and you'll have the ability to help shape the direction of your efforts. You’ll be able to build on the foundation of talents you already have and expand your process improvement skills. In addition, you’ll learn all about the company and our products.

Technology and innovation -- you'll be working in a very high-technology industry and our products are used on a wide variety of consumer electronics devices. You can probably find a Celgard membrane on your desk right now in the form of your desktop, cell phone or other device. These products are constantly changing and evolving, and you will play a key role in these technological developments. 

Career options -- Celgard dynamically stewards its resources, particularly our most important resource: our people. Because of our unique market niches and proprietary technologies, we prefer to promote from within whenever possible. While we’re looking for someone who can grow in this role for several years, if you have the runway and desire to advance, and you prove yourself, future opportunities will become available. Celgard is a company where you can build a long-range career. 

Strong supervisor and department -- we have a strong team with a good deal of experience and industry insight, and your supervisor, who has been with the company for many years, knows it inside out. You will have the advantage of learning from a team that will help you build the foundation needed to grow and excel. Your manager has high expectations and will give you room to succeed. He provides clear direction and then lets the team run. As long as you’re hitting your deadlines and delivering quality work, you’ll enjoy the “elbow room” you need to take ownership of your role. 

Strong growth environment -- Celgard and our parent company, Polypore International, Inc., continue to grow, as our product line is used in a diverse number of applications in robust markets, including laptops, cell phones, digital cameras, medical devices, and various military applications. We're also making important strides in the electric vehicle space. In addition:

• In 2009 we received a matching grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to support the development of the US EDV market. This funding supported construction of the Concord facility as well as expansion at our Charlotte plant.
• In 2008 we acquired a new technology along with production facilities in Korea, so that we now have the broadest portfolio in our industry. In 2010 we began expanding the Korean facility.
• In 2011 we expanded our Charlotte facility and added a Concord facility to serve growth in the consumer electronics market.

Excellent compensation -- in addition to a competitive salary and performance based bonus opportunity, we offer comprehensive benefits package that includes everything you'd expect such as Medical, Dental, and Vision insurances, a 401(k) plan, and PTO, and a few surprises, such as educational assistance and a candidate referral program.

Keys to Success

To excel in this role you will be an excellent communicator and change agent who can explain why a change should be made to the appropriate stakeholders. Often times, you’ll need to gain buy-in from various leaders or other team members and it will be your job to communicate the benefits of your proposed change. 

Celgard is constantly growing and evolving, and we’re looking to re-establish our position in consumer electronics and other key markets. As the Process Improvement Engineer you will be an integral part of this effort as you identify improvements and efficiencies that can make a major impact on manufacturing, operations, cost, and overall product development. Quick question for you - click here

About Celgard

Celgard is a global leader in the development and production of specialty microporous membranes, and is one of the largest suppliers to the lithium battery industry. Celgard® battery separators are highly engineered and are used in disposable and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for personal electronic devices such as notebook computers, mobile telephones, digital cameras, and power tools and are emerging in applications including electric drive vehicles (EDVs) and reserve power and electricity grid management systems.

With company headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, and battery separator manufacturing facilities in the Uanited States, Korea, and China, we are ideally positioned to serve the just-in-time needs of a global market.

Celgard is part of Polypore International, Inc, a global high technology filtration company specializing in microporous membranes. Polypore's flat sheet and hollow fiber membranes are used in specialized applications that require the removal or separation of various materials from liquids, primarily in the ultrafiltration and microfiltration markets. Also based in Charlotte, NC, Polypore International, Inc. is a market leader whose 4 core companies manufacture, marketing, and service products through 14 manufacturing sites and 14 sales and service locations throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, with sales relatively balanced across these regions.

Pictured: Celgard manufacturing facility located in Concord, NC.