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Salary: USD 110,000 - 150,000 / annual
Laborup is seeking a Process Engineering Manager to lead technical operations in barrier films, metallized films, and flexible packaging manufacturing. This is a hands-on technical leadership role combining deep process expertise with team supervision and cross-functional collaboration.
You will serve as a key technical authority across metallizing, slitting, process control, product development, quality, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement. Your responsibilities include optimizing converting processes to improve consistency, quality, throughput, and efficiency; leading root-cause analysis of process, material, equipment, and product-performance issues; providing hands-on technical support to Production, Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality teams; and leading new product and process-development projects from concept through production release.
Additional responsibilities encompass performing and documenting product testing, coordinating external barrier testing, supporting Sales and customers with technical questions and product approvals, supporting new equipment and equipment upgrades, maintaining technical documentation and regulatory records, and training metallizing and slitting operators. You will supervise employees across quality control, technical training, and product development.
The role offers technical ownership of barrier films and converting processes, the opportunity to drive measurable improvements in process stability and equipment performance, team leadership and employee development, and the chance to build your career in a specialized manufacturing environment in East Tennessee.
**Requirements:**
- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field
- 5+ years of industry-specific experience in barrier films, metallized films, flexible packaging, film converting, or closely related manufacturing processes
- Strong technical knowledge of barrier-film manufacturing, plastic webs, and converting processes
- Hands-on experience with process control, troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and process optimization in manufacturing
- Direct experience working with production equipment and manufacturing personnel to solve technical process problems
- Strong written and verbal communication skills across technical, operations, leadership, and customer-facing teams
- Previous supervisory, leadership, or technical team-development experience
**Preferred:**
- Direct experience with vacuum metallizing, film slitting, barrier coatings, flexible packaging, or roll-to-roll converting
- Experience with laboratory testing, product development, trials, and qualification of new materials or processes
- Experience supporting customer claims, technical service, or corrective actions
- Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologies
- Master's degree, PhD, or equivalent advanced technical experience
