Manufacturing Engineer

About the Company

TEC Specialty Products is a trusted leader in tile and flooring installation solutions, delivering innovative, high-performance products that help professionals work more efficiently without compromising quality. Formerly part of H.B. Fuller, TEC is now an independent company with the agility, focus, and entrepreneurial spirit to move quickly and stay customer centered.

At TEC, every employee makes a visible impact. We foster a collaborative environment where ideas are valued, decisions happen faster, and teams work together to provide exceptional products, service, and support that drive customer success.

Why Join TEC?

• Competitive salary + annual bonus
• 4% 401(k) match plus 1% profit sharing
• BCBS medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Generous PTO and sick time
• Flexible Fridays
• Opportunity to lead plant improvement and capital projects
• Collaborative culture with direct access to senior leadership

About the Role

The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement, structured problem-solving skills (RCCA, CAPA, 8D), and experience leading capital projects from scope through commissioning. Experience with SAP S/4HANA and dry-blend or powder manufacturing is a meaningful plus. This role requires up to 25% travel to support multi-site initiatives, equipment vendors, and capital projects.

Responsibilities

Process Improvement & Lean Manufacturing

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies (Kaizen, value-stream mapping, DMAIC, 5S, SMED) to improve OEE, yield, throughput, and labor efficiency.
• Analyze production data and downtime drivers to identify bottlenecks and root causes; implement countermeasures with measurable, sustained results.
• Develop and maintain standard work, SOPs, work instructions, and visual management tools across production lines.
• Champion a culture of operational excellence by training and coaching operators, supervisors, and cross-functional teams.

Capital Projects & Equipment

• Scope, justify (ROI / payback), and execute capital projects — from equipment selection and vendor management through installation, commissioning, validation, and handover to operations.
• Specify and procure production equipment, automation, and material handling systems; manage contractors and integrators on-site.
• Lead equipment FAT/SAT, PQ/OQ activities, and ensure proper documentation, spare parts strategy, and preventive maintenance plans are in place at startup.
• Support facility layout planning, line balancing, and process flow optimization to accommodate growth and new product introductions.

Root Cause Analysis & Corrective Action

• Lead structured root-cause analysis (5-Why, Fishbone, 8D) and Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations for nonconformances, customer complaints, scrap, rework, and recurring downtime events.
• Drive Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) to closure with verified effectiveness — not just containment — and document learnings so issues don’t recur on adjacent lines or products.
• Partner with the Quality team on internal audits, document control, and Management of Change (MOC) reviews for process, equipment, raw material, and formulation changes.
• Develop process control plans, control charts (SPC), and inspection criteria to reduce variation and ensure consistent product quality.

Cross-Functional Support

• Collaborate with R&D and Product Management to scale new formulations from pilot to full production, including process validation and first-article qualification.
• Work with EHS to ensure all engineering changes meet safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Support production planning, supply chain, and customer service by translating operational realities into reliable schedules and lead times.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Chemical, or Industrial Engineering (or equivalent technical discipline).
• 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in a process, batch, or discrete manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading Lean / continuous improvement projects with quantified results (cost, throughput, quality, safety).
• Demonstrated experience with structured problem-solving — RCCA, CAPA, 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone — and the discipline to drive issues to verified, sustained closure.
• Track record of successfully managing capital projects (scope, budget, schedule) from concept through commissioning.
• Strong analytical and data skills (Excel at minimum; Power BI, Minitab, or similar a plus).
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to influence across operators, technicians, engineers, and senior leadership.

Required Skills

• Experience with SAP S/4HANA in a manufacturing context — production orders, BOMs, routings, inventory, master data, and reporting.
• Powder, dry-blend, or dry-mix manufacturing experience (mixers, blenders, baghouses, pneumatic conveying, bulk bag handling, packaging lines).
• Experience in construction products, building materials, cementitious products, or specialty chemicals.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 or similar quality management system frameworks.
• PMP or equivalent project management credential.
• Familiarity with PLC/HMI systems, automation, and basic controls troubleshooting.

Key Competencies

• Bias for action — comfortable on the plant floor, not just behind a desk.
• Structured problem-solver who lets data drive decisions.
• Project leadership and ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently.
• Collaborative, low-ego style; builds trust with operators and leaders alike.
• Ownership mindset — sees a problem through to a sustained, documented solution.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Manufacturing plant environment with exposure to dust, noise, and temperature variation; PPE required in production areas.
• Ability to stand, walk, climb stairs/ladders, and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
• Travel up to 25% required — to sister manufacturing facilities, equipment vendors, contractors, and occasional customer or supplier sites in support of capital projects, equipment commissioning, and continuous improvement initiatives.