Manufacturing Engineer (Plastics)

Petmate is a global leader in pet supply products. Some of our most beloved brands include Petmate®, Chuckit!®, Quirky Kitty®, Vittles Vault®, Wild Eats® and Arm & Hammer®.

Over 60 years ago, Petmate began with a single focus on providing safe pet transportation, which resulted in the creation of the first dog kennel. Flash forward to today, and the same love and bond that existed to provide safe travels for our pets now permeates through every step of pet and pet owners' shared adventure.

Knowing that pets are every bit as much a part of the family, Petmate takes pride in developing new, superior products that improve the quality of life and enrich the bond created between people & their pets. From environmentally responsible manufacturing to rigorous product testing, we place safety at the core of what we make and how we make it.

Our trusted brands continually drive innovation across pet categories, spanning dog and cat toys, feeding and watering, food storage, carriers, shelters, treats & chews, bedding and more.

OUR WHY : To enrich the lives of families by cultivating the bond between people & their pets

OUR VISION : Families everywhere trust us more than any other company to enhance the well-being of their pets at every step of their adventure

Petmate Core Values

OWN IT! We take full responsibility for our actions, decisions, and their outcomes

STEADFAST DETERMINATION : Steady pursuit of what's next with unwavering commitment and enthusiasm

DO THE RIGHT THING : Consistent alignment of actions and values in every situation, ensuring you're always true to what's right

SAFETY WITHOUT COMPROMISE : We prioritize the safety of employees, consumers, and pets without compromise

Position Summary:

We are seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to join our dynamic team at Petmate. As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in supporting cross-functional teams in the introduction of new processes, products and equipment, as well as maintenance of existing products and processes.

In parallel this position supports our Operations team to produce high quality products within a continuous improvement environment. This includes identifying and addressing production issues, ensuring that manufacturing processes are properly documented and executed, and working towards our cost improvement objectives. (such as labor and material savings).

We are looking for engineers that enjoy working collaboratively with personnel on the shop floor. We are transforming our production processes and plant flow. If you are a proactive problem solver, you will thrive on making an impact in our business.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify areas of improvement in manufacturing processes
• Own and deliver on multiple projects and tasks across various departments
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to optimize production efficiency and quality.
• Lead the development and execution of new processes and products, including testing procedures and trials
• Perform cost analysis of new and existing products to aid in quoting
• Effectively communicate and execute customer expectations and company objectives to various teams
• Monitor and communicate project status, business issues, and significant developments to stakeholders
• Analyze data to identify root causes of machine downtime and develop solutions to address them
• Execute the analysis/evaluation/implementation of various manufacturing processes, equipment, and programs to support increased efficiencies, uptime, and safety
• Develop procedures and work instructions to establish consistent, high-quality manufacturing processes
• Actively participate in Continuous Improvement objectives and Lean initiatives
• Design shop floor for most efficient and productive layout
• Design equipment including tooling as needed using 3D CAD (SolidWorks preferred)
• Revamp machine design to business's unique production needs
• Provide sustained support to the Manufacturing floor and 3rd party vendors
• Manage a team of direct reports (Process Engineers)
• Other duties as assigned based on business needs

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Requirements:

• Hands on mechanical aptitude and exposure to manufacturing operations
• Self-guided with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to prioritize workload to deliver on a wide variety of projects on deadline
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present to internal and external stakeholders
• Data driven decision making skills - proven track record of delivering results
• Ability to read and understand technical information including but not limited to: manufacturing drawings, engineering instructions, and material data sheets.
• Proven track record of influencing teams within matrix organizational structure (across various shifts within a 24/7 production facility)
• Bi-Lingual (Spanish) a plus, not required

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering (Plastics, Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing) or equivalent from accredited university
• 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in a Mid-High Volume Manufacturing environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Working knowledge of SolidWorks or equivalent 3D modeling/drafting software, including FEA
• Experience with high volume production/high mix environment
• Good understanding of machining equipment, multiple types of applications and product lines (changeovers, various tooling, molding)
• Quality System Knowledge (ISO/QS/TS)
• Structured Problem-Solving skill. (8D/A3)
• SPC/CPK Data Analysis, FMEA, DVP&R
• Capital Equipment Justifications
• Production Equipment Capacity Planning
• Plastics Industry experience (Stretch Blow Molding, Injection Molding, Extrusion Blow Molding) (Preferred)
• Tooling/mold design experience (Preferred)
• Experience documenting work instructions within a multi-shift manufacturing environment (Preferred)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Our facility operates with machinery that can be loud and requires ear protection and eye protection. The manufacturing environment can be fast-paced and physically demanding, with exposure to various materials and processes that may result in a dirty workspace. We prioritize safety and cleanliness, providing all necessary protective gear and maintaining strict hygiene standards. Despite the challenging conditions, we foster a collaborative and supportive atmosphere where teamwork and professional growth are highly valued.

Petmate is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.