Principal Process Engineer

About the role

The Principal Process Engineer will support the KDP Spartanburg Manufacturing Site, reporting to the Senior Process Improvement Manager. This role is instrumental in identifying and eliminating sources of waste across manufacturing operations. The Sr. Process Engineer will drive operational excellence through structured problem-solving, lean methodologies, continuous improvement initiatives, and change management.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and eliminate the eight sources of waste (e.g., downtime, defects, overproduction, motion, inventory, waiting, transportation, and underutilized talent)
• Lead and support structured problem-solving activities (e.g., RCCMs, A3s, DMAIC projects) and change management initiatives to drive root cause analysis and implement sustainable solutions
• Partner with operations, maintenance, and quality teams to implement process changes that enhance safety, quality, and throughput
• Understand how plant systems work and assist in training, teaching, and coaching frontline team members on those systems
• Facilitate and support kaizen events, problem solving workshops, and project team meetings to solve operational and financial problems
• Monitor and analyze process performance data to identify trends and improvement opportunities
• Support the development and implementation of standard work and visual management tools
• Aid in training frontline teams on problem solving tools and lean daily management
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement throughout the plant

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Engineering or a related field preferred
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Green Belt and Black Belt certification preferred
• Proven experience with problem solving tools and successfully implementing process changes to positively impact the manufacturing site
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with proficiency in structured problem-solving methodologies
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and engage teams at all levels
• Hands-on approach with a strong bias for action and delivering results
• Proficiency with Minitab, Excel, and Power BI preferred
• Experience with basic mechanical and/or electrical systems is a plus
• Ability to lift, push, and pull a minimum of 50 lbs repeatedly

Total Rewards

• $100,000 - $130,000
• Benefits eligible day one!!
• Benefits, subject to election and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Paid Time Off (including paid parental leave, vacation, and sick time), 401k with company match, Tuition Reimbursement, and Mileage Reimbursement
• Annual bonus based on performance and eligibility