Senior Process Improvement Engineer

At GE Appliances, a Haier company, we come together to make "good things, for life." As the fastest-growing appliance company in the U.S., we're powered by creators, thinkers and makers who believe that anything is possible and that there's always a better way. We believe in the power of our people and in giving them the freedom to explore, discover and build good things, together.

The GE Appliances philosophy, backed by three simple commitments defines the way we work, invent, create, do business, and serve our communities: we come together , we always look for a better way , and we create possibilities .

Interested in joining us on our journey?

As a Senior Process Improvement Engineer, you'll have full ownership of equipment and process performance within your production area - from AME handoff through daily operation, continuous improvement, and future upgrades. You'll partner closely with Operations, Maintenance, Controls, and NPI teams to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and morale, while driving real improvements in OEE, uptime, and reliability.

Position

Senior Process Improvement Engineer - Thermoforming and Extrusion

Location

USA, Louisville, KY

How You'll Create Possibilities

What You'll Own & Lead

Equipment & Process Ownership

• Own all equipment and tooling in your production area from AME sign-off forward

• Serve as the primary troubleshooting expert , especially for thermoforming-related processes

• Drive improvements in OEE , with a strong focus on availability and reliability

• Lead TPM execution, learning cycles, and corrective actions to prevent downtime and quality losses

• Partner with Maintenance on repair strategies, PM effectiveness, and action prioritization

• Influence and approve equipment specifications, upgrades, and capital investments

• Ensure equipment calibration, compliance, and product conformance

• Develop and train operators and controllmen on startup, shutdown, and optimal running parameters

Controls & Reliability Engineering

• Improve and sustain Preventive Maintenance strategies for your area

• Lead root cause analysis for equipment-related safety, quality, and delivery issues

• Support and influence plant priorities across EHS, yield, spoilage, productivity, labor, and cost

• Justify and execute capital projects, including equipment design, standardization, and safety compliance

• Drive simplification and reliability initiatives to improve uptime and reduce chronic losses

• Lead cross-functional and supplier-supported projects to strengthen the full value stream

Continuous Improvement & Lean

• Lead structured problem solving and share best practices across the plant

• Partner with Team Leaders and Business Leaders to aggressively address inefficiencies

• Lead and support Kaizen activities , line balancing, and work area re-design

• Implement Poka-Yoke solutions and operator aids to improve quality and ergonomics

• Apply Yamazumi charts, standard work, and time studies to improve flow and labor efficiency

Safety Leadership

• Proactively identify and implement safety improvements in your area

• Support completion of safety action items tied to near misses, incidents, and ergonomic assessments

New Product & Process Launches (NPI)

• Partner with AME on equipment selection, purchase, and qualification

• Act as the "voice of the plant" during new product introductions

• Review prototypes for manufacturability and process stability

• Interface with OEMs and vendors to understand equipment capabilities and maintenance needs

• Update manufacturing documentation, layouts, and standard work

What You'll Bring to Our Team

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related technical field (or equivalent experience).

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, or Quality roles in a high-volume environment.

• Hands on Experience in Thermoforming and Extrusion or Plastic Injection Molding

• 2 or more years of leadership experience in manufacturing operations (preferably unionized operations).

• Must have flexibility to work different shift

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Appliances manufacturing processes.

• Experience in PLC Controls, Fanuc robots, end of arm tooling, PMs, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatics and welding techniques.

• Experience and training in lean manufacturing practices.

• Six Sigma Black Belt certification.

• Program Management skills.

Position Requirement

• Demonstrated experience in troubleshooting high volume manufacturing equipment.

• Proven ability to influence and drive change.

• Experience in high volume manufacturing environment.

• Experience in material flow.

• Solid verbal/written communication skills coupled with strong interpersonal skills.

• Advanced computer skills - high proficiency in Microsoft products (especially Excel) and ability to grasp new systems quickly.

• Strong project management and analytical/problem solving skills with demonstrated ability to scope and analyze cross-functional problems to generate/implement solutions.

• Must have experience applying time studies and/or standard work.

• Ability to adapt to and juggle changing and competing priorities.

• Early and/or late hours often required to work around the manufacturing schedule / timing.

• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment with both hourly and salary personnel to meet the needs of operators, the program and the business.

• High initiative, self-starter, proactive, dedicated, results oriented, a team player.

Working Conditions:

• Working conditions are normal for both an office and manufacturing environment.

• Work may involve lifting of materials and product up to 25 pounds.

• Working in the manufacturing environment requires the use of safety equipment to include but not limited to: safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, work shoes/boots.

• Work may require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

• Travel may be required for domestic and/or international travel to other sites/plants, etc.

Our Culture

Our work is centered on our People and Culture as reflected in our Zero Distance philosophy and we recognize the importance of reaffirming our commitment to inclusion and diversity (I&D). This underscores our commitment to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, connected, and empowered to contribute, while positioning our organization to adapt seamlessly to the evolving needs of our workforce and communities.

This reflects our dedication to creating solutions that: Empower colleagues by fostering an environment where all voices are heard, valued, and encouraged to contribute. Strengthen communities where we live and work. Reinforce a culture of belonging, purpose, and engagement. Reflect the diversity of the communities we serve through our workforce, products, and practices.

By further embedding Zero Distance into our People and Culture framework, we will continue to build a deeply connected organization. We are cultivating a culture of engagement, belonging, and connection, because while attracting new talent remains a priority, retention is a cornerstone of our strategy.

GE Appliances is a trust-based organization. It is important we offer our employees the flexibility they need to do their best work while balancing the needs of the business and individuals. When you join GE Appliances, you will have the opportunity to work with your leader to create a flexible work arrangement that balances the needs of the individual, team, and organization.

GE Appliances is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

GE Appliances participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance or an accommodation to use our website or to apply, please send an e-mail to ask.recruiting@geappliances.com