Associate Director - Engineering

SUMMARY

The Associate Director-Engineering is responsible for planning and directing all aspects of engineering activities and projects within the division. The Associate Director- Engineering will plan, direct, coordinate, and oversee activities in the engineering department, ensuring the development and implementation of efficient operations, cost-effective systems to meet the current and future needs of the company, and new product development in partnership with the product and market development teams. The Associate Director-Engineering will also be responsible for the Research & Development team, which includes product testing, raw material qualifications, and formulation research and changes.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manages a team of engineers and engineering support personnel across the US and Canada.

• Plans and coordinates the work of engineering staff
• Oversees engineering staff and ensures that they meet goals and objectives
• Recruits and retains engineering staff
• Responsible for talent development and training
• Conducts performance evaluations that are timely and constructive
• Provides mentoring and coaching directly and develops team through supervisors

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• New product development engineering for part functionality and manufacturing feasibility
• Material development implementation for alternate suppliers, cost savings, and improved performance
• Review of and recommend solutions to plant inefficiencies, manufacturing concerns
• New equipment specification and sign off after implementation
• Cross functional support of all manufacturing locations and business units
• Design and selection of equipment systems, packaging systems/materials, and materials for new products and continuous improvement
• Follow product from development through post launch validation
• Maintain records for projects, programs, designs, systems and materials
• Routinely visit plants to provide support, evaluate plant operations, and provide requested assistance.
• Evaluate equipment and operations for potential safety and health hazards; work with plants to eliminate hazards.
• Support strategic growth option identification and evaluation
• Write technical and business documents, reports, presentations, and correspondence.
• Perform other related tasks as required
• Comply with safety policies and procedures
• Perform other related duties as required

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or other related field
• Minimum of 12 years relevant experience with 5 or more years in a leadership role
• Demonstrated ability to exhibit Westlake Behaviors
• Knowledge of drafting and specification standards
• Proficient in MS Office
• Knowledge of SAP or JD Edwards enterprise software, desired
• Clear and concise business and technical writing ability
• Demonstrated ability in process improvement, metric development, and problem solving
• Communicate effectively and tactfully with customers, managers and all levels of employees - Provide clear direction and explain technically complicated information in layman’s terms
• Work well with conflicting priorities and deadlines
• Keep information confidential (confidentiality agreement required)
• Strong organizational skills
• Strategic thinker
• Strong work ethic
• Adapt easily to changing conditions, requirements, and environment
• Self-directed, independent worker
• Tactful, diplomatic, empathetic - Says the right thing, knows how to bridge gaps of understanding, and is sensitive to others

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Prolonged standing or in stationary position is also required. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to position self to move about equipment in a manufacturing setting including under and over equipment. Ability to move or traverse about the facilities is also required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job the employee works near moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud and requires the use of personal protective equipment. Must be able to work around dust, chemicals, and other substances, and in various environmental conditions, including extreme weather conditions. Must be able to work outside of normal business hours, occasionally on short notice. The job requires 50% travel on average. Ability to be away from home for multiple nights per week.