Engineering - Materials Manager, Siding & Trim Division

Engineering Materials Manager

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate. We are seeking a dynamic and safety-conscious multi-site Engineering Materials Manager to lead materials research operations within our profitable and growing Siding & Trim business. This pivotal role entails driving multifaceted initiatives aimed at enhancing safety, product performance, and cost-effectiveness. Leadership of a high-performing materials research and development team is integral to achieving success in this position. Responsibilities encompass a wide spectrum, including materials innovation, technology development, product integration, annual strategic planning, and production support bolstering operational reliability. Must be currently residing in or near Bristol, TN; Marion, VA; or Columbus, OH or willing to relocate to the area. Must be willing to travel up to 25% to support other Westlake sites.

Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following : Supervisory responsibilities include 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. 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.

Education, experience and qualifications : Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Chemical, Materials, or Polymer Engineering, or equivalent from an ABET accredited program, advanced degree preferred. Min 10 years of work experience in engineering with focus on materials research and development. Exceptional interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build collaborative working relationships across a diverse organization are critical to success in this role. 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. is 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.