Process Engineering Manager

Overview We’re hiring a Process Engineering Manager with deep experience in barrier films, metallized films, flexible packaging, or related roll-to-roll converting processes. We specialize in metallizing and converting plastic webs used in flexible packaging, lamination, printing, agriculture, and other technical applications. This role will serve as a key technical leader across metallizing, slitting, process control, product development, quality, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement. This is a hands-on technical leadership role for someone who understands the science and manufacturing processes behind barrier films and can apply that expertise to improve equipment, processes, product performance, and customer outcomes. You’ll work closely with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Sales, and customers while also supervising team members across quality control, training, and product development. Compensation

• $110,000–$150,000 / yr

Why This Role

• Technical Ownership: Serve as a key technical authority across barrier films, metallizing, slitting, and process development.
• Manufacturing Impact: Drive measurable improvements in process stability, product quality, waste, throughput, and equipment performance.
• Team Leadership: Lead and develop employees across quality control, technical training, and product development.
• East Tennessee: Build your career in scenic East Tennessee in a highly specialized manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Process Optimization: Improve metallizing, slitting, and related converting processes to increase consistency, quality, throughput, and overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Technical Troubleshooting: Lead root-cause analysis of process, material, equipment, and product-performance issues and implement practical corrective actions.
• Production Support: Provide hands-on technical support to Production, Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality to resolve manufacturing challenges and maintain process performance.
• R&D & Product Development: Lead new product and process-development projects from concept and feasibility through trials, qualification, testing, and production release.
• Laboratory & Barrier Testing: Perform and document product testing, coordinate external barrier testing, and verify performance against customer and internal requirements.
• Customer Technical Support: Support Sales and customers with technical questions, product approvals, samples, claims, and performance-related issues.
• Equipment & Continuous Improvement: Support new equipment, equipment upgrades, comparative product studies, and process-improvement initiatives focused on waste reduction and efficiency.
• Technical Documentation: Maintain Technical Data Sheets, regulatory documentation, testing records, and other process and product documentation.
• Training & Leadership: Train metallizing and slitting operators as needed and supervise employees across quality control, training, and product development.

Requirements Qualifications Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field.
• 5+ years of industry-specific experience in barrier films, metallized films, flexible packaging, film converting, or a closely related manufacturing process.
• Strong technical knowledge of barrier-film manufacturing, plastic webs, and converting processes.
• Hands-on experience with process control, troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and process optimization in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience working directly with production equipment and manufacturing personnel to solve technical process problems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work across technical, operations, leadership, and customer-facing teams.
• Previous supervisory, leadership, or technical team-development experience.

Preferred Skills

• Direct experience with vacuum metallizing, film slitting, barrier coatings, flexible packaging, or roll-to-roll converting.
• Experience with laboratory testing, product development, trials, and qualification of new materials or processes.
• Experience supporting customer claims, technical service, or corrective actions.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Master’s degree, PhD, or equivalent advanced technical experience.