Product Development Engineering Manager – Siding and Trim

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.​

SUMMARY

Job Summary:

We are seeking a Product Development Engineering Manager to join our dynamic team in Columbus, OH. This role is integral to our mission of bringing new and innovative building products for siding and trim to market. The ideal candidate will have a passion for nurturing new ideas and products, leading engineering projects from concept to commercialization, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional results. As a change agent, you will drive excellence in our engineering processes, including manufacturing testing, development of specifications, and tool development for both injection molding and extrusion

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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

• Generate and define requirements for new products in collaboration with customers and stakeholders, ensuring alignment with market demands and Westlake's strategic objectives.
• Investigate and integrate the latest advancements in tooling machinery and materials for injection molding and extrusion processes.
• Utilize CAD tools for drafting, designing, and analyzing the flow to optimize manufacturing and ensure quality standards for siding and trim products 2.
• Oversee prototyping, testing, and data collection to enhance product performance and drive cost efficiency.
• Commercialize products by collaborating with sales, marketing, and manufacturing teams to ensure readiness for market launch.
• Influence capital planning for equipment budgets to support new product development.
• Manage the day-to-day activities of the product development engineering department, including task assignments, project management, and department development.
• Conduct performance evaluations and develop training schedules for department staff.
• Identify and lead Six Sigma and Lean projects to optimize manufacturing processes.
• Maintain comprehensive records for projects, programs, designs, systems, and materials.
• Provide support at plants, evaluate operations, and assist with safety and health hazard elimination.

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EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from an ABET-accredited university in Mechanical, Chemical, Materials, or Plastics Engineering.
• 10+ years of hands-on product design and development experience, with a demonstrated track record of bringing new products from concept to commercialization.
• Minimum 3 years management experience.
• Knowledge of polymer chemistry, specifically as it applies to the manufacture, testing, analysis, and application of building products for siding and trim.
• Six Sigma Green/Black Belt certification preferred with knowledge of DOE, DMAIC, Fishbone, 5-Why, FMEA, and statistical analysis.
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to build collaborative working relationships across a diverse organization.

• Required Skills:

• Problem-solving: Exceptional collaborative problem-solving capabilities.
• Decision-making: Team-based, data-driven decision-making skills for product and process optimization.
• Technical proficiency: Skilled in creating detailed 3D CAD drawings and proficient in part design and flow analysis.
• Project management: Proven effectiveness in managing complex technical projects with significant operational impact.
• Communication: Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with customers, managers, and employees at all levels.

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• Travel Requirements:

• Travel up to 35%

• 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. avel up to 35%

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Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.

If you are an active Westlake employee (or an employee of any Westlake affiliates), please do not apply here. You will apply via the Jobs Hub application in Workday.