Engineering - Materials Manager, Siding & Trim Division at Westlake

Bristol, Tennessee, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Manufacturing, Building Materials, ConstructionIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Chemical, Materials, or Polymer Engineering, or equivalent from an ABET accredited program; advanced degree preferred
Minimum 10 years of work experience in engineering with focus on materials research and development
Currently residing in or near Bristol, TN; Marion, VA; or Columbus, OH, or willing to relocate to the area
Willing to travel up to 25% to support other Westlake sites, including international travel (valid passport required)
Exceptional interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build collaborative working relationships across a diverse organization
Ability to define problems, execute test trials, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and build consensus amongst a diverse technical and operational team
Strong communication and persuasion skills working at all levels of an organization
Six Sigma green/black belt and knowledge of DOE, DMAIC, Fishbone, 5-Why, FMEA, statistical analysis, etc. preferred
Strong data and analytical skills for business, science, and technical problems
Detail-oriented with the ability to catch minor errors which can result in major problems
Organizational skills for keeping track of various budgets, employees, and schedules simultaneously

Responsibilities

Lead a high-performing team of eight technicians, scientists, and engineers supporting eleven siding and trim manufacturing sites with laboratories in Bristol, TN; Marion, VA; Columbus, OH; and Woodbridge, ON
Cultivate a safety-first culture within the materials engineering team, proactively identifying and mitigating risks in both engineering practices and laboratory facilities; ensure all initiatives align with and surpass Westlake, local, state, and federal regulations
Assume ownership of the science behind product development and manufacturing of siding and siding systems; stay abreast of evolving technologies and market trends in siding manufacturing
Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the materials engineering domain, driving the design and implementation of enhancements in materials technology leading to superior product performance
Develop standard work and structured processes for evaluating, scaling, and implementing materials changes across multiple production platforms
Develop a culture of data-driven decision making utilizing statistical methodologies to ensure complete and efficient evaluation of materials changes and their impact on key manufacturing requirements
Interface with internal and external customers and stakeholders to identify technical areas for innovation, develop new products, and solve a variety of production-related issues
Partner with R&D and Manufacturing in leveraging gated processes to bring new ideas, concepts, and technologies to market
Perform other duties as assigned to support the business

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Materials EngineeringMaterials ScienceProduct DevelopmentManufacturing ProcessesTeam LeadershipSafety ManagementLaboratory ManagementStrategic PlanningContinuous ImprovementRisk MitigationTechnology DevelopmentSiding Manufacturing

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What are the education and experience requirements for this role?

A Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Chemical, Materials, or Polymer Engineering (or equivalent from an ABET accredited program) is required, with an advanced degree preferred, along with a minimum of 10 years of work experience.

Is this position remote or does it require a specific location?

Candidates must be currently residing in or near Bristol, TN; Marion, VA; or Columbus, OH, or willing to relocate to the area, and must be willing to travel up to 25% to support other Westlake sites.

What does the team structure look like for this role?

The role involves leading a high-performing team of eight technicians, scientists, and engineers supporting eleven siding and trim manufacturing sites with laboratories in Bristol, TN; Marion, VA; Columbus, OH; and Woodbridge, ON.

What is the company culture like in this position?

The company fosters an entrepreneurial environment and emphasizes a safety-first culture, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision making within the materials engineering team.

What makes a strong candidate for this Engineering Materials Manager role?

Strong candidates are dynamic, safety-conscious leaders with engineering expertise who can lead multi-site teams, drive materials innovation, stay ahead of industry trends, and implement data-driven processes for product development and manufacturing.