Fenner Dunlop is looking for a Process Engineer to join our Lavonia manufacturing team!

Fenner Dunlop, a Michelin Group company, designs and manufactures the widest range of bulk material handling conveyor belts in the world. We strive to be the premier provider of the safest and most reliable conveyor belting and services to a variety of heavy industrial markets such as coal mining, hard rock mining, sand, gravel, wood handling, power generation, pulp and paper. Fenner Dunlop provides North American made belting, manufactured at our facilities located throughout the United States and Canada. For over 150 years, Fenner Dunlop has researched, designed, developed, manufactured, and tested its conveyor belting products, supporting nearly any type of conveyor application, and providing the right solutions to protect conveyor system investments in the harshest conveying environments.

Job Purpose

We care about giving people a better way forward – that’s our purpose and what motivates Fenner Dunlop employees every day. As the Process Engineer at Fenner Dunlop, you’ll be able to participate in the design, development and quality control of woven fabrics and polymer formulations utilized in conveyor belt products; Work closely with the manufacturing functions to achieve operational goals and drive continuous improvement; Assist in the implementation and maintenance of the company’s Quality Management System; Create and maintain textile product specifications to ensure accuracy and integrity of product.

Principal Duties

• Facilitate the design and development of new products and processes. Focus is primarily fiber and adhesion chemistry.
• Prepare chemical solutions for products and processes following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas.
• Establish, monitor and report on development, engineering and cost savings projects for textile components. Create and maintain controlled product specifications for textile products in various databases.
• Ensure that all designated testing and inspection activities are carried out and correctly documented in accordance with quality assurance requirements.
• Provide technical support in a 24 hour production environment to resolve any processing issues and establish guidelines for producing a quality product.
• Work towards improving efficiency of operations and meeting quality objectives.
• Compile statistical data concerning material, product and process quality. Report variations from standards and present quality related data.
• Inspect woven fabric, as needed to detect weaving defects. Review and approve Non-conformance reports. Initiate Customer Concession requests for non-complying product and obtain approval.
• Apply problem solving methodologies and recommend measures to improve production methods, equipment performance and quality of product. Implement corrective action to reduce or eliminate root cause.
• Participate in the maintenance of the company’s ISO 9000 Quality Management System. Assist in the generation and review of quality assurance policies and procedures. Follow established procedures for retention of data.
• Perform physical and chemical quality control tests on raw materials and manufactured products to ensure adherence to company quality standards and specifications. Set up, adjust and operate a full range of laboratory test equipment.
• Partner and assist other engineering personnel in new product/process design.
• Set-up and maintain part numbers, and Bill of Material in the ERP system.
• Perform Internal Quality Audits to ensure Quality System compliance and to identify deficiencies for correction.
• Confer with vendor representatives to determine product specifications and work with the vendor to supply the most cost-effective and quality raw materials.
• Comply with all relevant safety rules and procedures at all times in order to promote a safe work environment. Maintain a clean work environment. Professional behavior is required during working hours, while on customer's sites and while traveling for Fenner Dunlop business.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Scope of Responsibility

The Process Engineer is responsible for coordinating the design and development of components utilized in the manufacture of conveyor belt and the improvement of existing products; Help coordinate the activities of technicians engaged in testing activities and assist in the training of new employees; Keep up to date with industry trends, developments and innovations to maintain technical skills and competencies; Willingness to travel when required; Collaborate with cross-functional teams on continuous improvement initiatives and providing technical support and direction; The position involves frequent inter-organization contact and the individual must have the ability to work effectively with employees from different departments and facilities.

Required Experience/Education Requirements

• Bachelor Degree in science, chemistry or related field or equivalent work/education combination
• General knowledge of statistics and statistical process control
• 3-5 years manufacturing experience preferred – Experience in a textile related manufacturing environment with knowledge of woven fabric constructions will be a distinct advantage
• Knowledge of laboratory test procedures, chemical testing and analysis techniques
• Travel of 10%-25%
• Must possess driver's license
• Fundamental understanding of quality principles, systems, methods, tools and techniques
• Understanding of the requirements of ISO9001 Quality System Standard
• Experience in the quality audit process including types of audit, planning preparation and execution
• Knowledge of process improvement and problem solving methodologies. Can include: Plan Do Act Check Cycle (PDCA), Six Sigma, 5 Why Analysis, Kaizen, Lean Manufacturing, TapRoot or other methods

What We Offer

At Fenner Dunlop, a Michelin Group company, we care about work/life balance as well as the health and financial wellbeing of our employees and their families. So, whether you’re considering family planning, trying to decide how to best care for your family, or want to make a difference through volunteerism, you’re sure to find Fenner Dunlop’s competitive and comprehensive employee-focused benefits package helpful.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance on your first day
• Medical Travel Reimbursement for critical healthcare travel over 100 miles from home
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Competitive Paid Time Off & Company Holidays
• 401K Retirement Savings Plan with a dollar-for-dollar match up to 6% of your salary
• Extensive Paid Parental Leave in the event of a birth or adoption
• Opportunities to purchase Michelin Stock at a discounted rate
• Michelin Tire Rebates
• Employee Assistance Program that provides health, financial, and legal counseling among other resources
• Interested in more details on our comprehensive employee benefits package? Just ask