Engineering Manager

SUMMARY

We are seeking a dynamic and safety-conscious multi-site Engineering Manager to champion Westlake’s most ambitious growth plans. This role mandates a leader who thrives on turning big ideas into real, operational assets. This exciting role will lead all capital engineering projects within our profitable and growing siding and trim business. Leadership of a high-performing engineering team is integral to achieving success in this position. Responsibilities encompass a wide spectrum, including improvement of safe manufacturing operations, annual strategic planning, talent acquisition and development, rigorous capital investment evaluations, capacity augmentation, and bolstering operational reliability.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• As the Capital Projects Engineering Manager, you’ll guide a team of engineers and cross‑functional partners through the full lifecycle of multiple capital projects, from concept through commissioning. These projects will range from facility expansions to new production lines to infrastructure upgrades, each one critical to enabling our next phase of growth.
• Cultivate a safety-first culture within the engineering team, proactively identifying and mitigating risks in both engineering practices and equipment operation. Lead pivotal projects aimed at enhancing overall safety and environmental compliance in manufacturing. Ensure all initiatives align with and surpass Westlake, local, state, and federal regulations
• Spearhead the development and empowerment of a dynamic, multinational engineering team spread across eleven manufacturing sites. Foster a culture of high performance, operational efficiency, productivity, and engineering excellence
• Take charge of the multi-year capital planning for eleven siding and trim facilities, encompassing capital budgets, capacity expansions, and productivity enhancements. Ensure alignment with Safety, Quality, Service, and Cost targets, driving operational excellence
• Provide steadfast leadership to manufacturing sites in engineering design, project planning, budgeting and risk management
• Demonstrate adept project management and engineering practices to ensure the successful execution of projects, aligning with strategic goals, future growth projections, and customer demands
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the engineering domain, driving the design and implementation of enhancements in manufacturing processes and equipment This is pivotal in boosting manufacturing productivity and refining plant design and functionality
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the business

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Science Engineering from an ABET accredited program
• Min 10 years of work experience in engineering roles with 3 years of leadership preferred
• Strong communication and persuasion skills working at all levels of an organization
• Demonstrated mastery of project management best practices, including planning, execution, risk management, and continuous improvement methodologies
• Proven ability to inspire, mentor, and lead a high‑performing team of capital project engineers to deliver complex, growth‑driven capital initiatives
• Six Sigma or Lean experience preferred
• Strong data and analytical skills for business, science, and technical problems
• Detail-oriented with the ability to catch minor errors which can result in major problems
• Experience leading engineering at a plant level
• Knowledge in equipment reliability preferred
• Ability to travel up to 50% in support 11 plants

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. May require travel up to 10% of the time. Incumbent must be able to travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate in the office. The position requires the incumbent travel to the various manufacturing facilities as much as 10% of the time. The work environment at the facilities can include excessive noise levels, exposure to weather elements, working around or adjacent to moving and mobile equipment and climbing ladders. Appropriate personal protective equipment including hearing protection, steel toe shoes, safety glasses and/or hard hats may be required while working in a facility.