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 highly skilled and motivated Process Engineer to join our dynamic team at Petmate. The Process Engineer will play a crucial role in optimizing and improving our injection molding, blow molding, and extrusion blow molding processes to ensure the highest quality and efficiency. The ideal candidate will serve as subject matter expert in molding and extrusion technologies, strong analytical skills, providing technical leadership, troubleshooting support and continuous improvement initiatives across production lines. This individual must have the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Key Responsibilities:
- The primary task will be focusing on the OEE (Overall Equipment Efficiencies) of injection molding, blow molding, and extrusion blow molding equipment. Develop a plan and deliver a reduction of scrap dollars and improve overall labor efficiency with the specific zone of the plant.
- Focus on quality; Troubleshoot machine processes and tooling issues to optimize part quality and minimize inefficiency and rework.
- Develop and review process spec sheets for specific tools and products – document particular setup of molding machine parameters and TPMs (total preventative maintenance) daily, weekly, monthly, and annually.
- Participate in weekly Top 5 scrap meetings to father information to minimize scrap and improve margin.
- Interview, train, and assess the technical ability of process technicians to ensure processes are repeatable.
- Ensure machines, tools, blenders, and robot processes meet process standards and are functional and calibrated correctly.
- Help with the development and launch of EOAT (end of arm tooling) to ensure parts are pulled out of the machines with accuracy without damage.
- Perform first production run off to ensure standards and cycle times can be met on all new tooling, new machines, and product changes.
- Establish molding partnerships inside the plant as well as with current suppliers of tooling products.
- Assist with design review for new in-house tools.
- Assist with installation of new equipment and troubleshooting of initial production.
- Participate in continuous improvement activities or events that will be happening in your zone or press area.
- Work closely with Spectrum Polymers to ensure resin specifications meet product requirements.
- Foster collaboration with technical staff and leadership to drive process improvement and innovation.
Leadership:
- Lead and mentor process technicians to ensure best practices and continuous improvement.
- Fill in for technical supervisors or supervisors in their absence.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Competencies:
- Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.
- Design - Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into images; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates attention to detail.
- Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
- Project Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
- Oral Communication – Speaks English clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
- Written Communication - Writes English clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
- Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
- Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
- Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
- Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
- Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
- Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality
- Quantity - Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly.
- Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
- Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
- Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
- Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
- Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
- Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
- Computer Skills:To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Database software; Design software; Project Management software; Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field or 10+ years of related experience
- 5+ years’ experience and/or training in a related field
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.
