Process Engineer

Process Engineer – Westlake – Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada

Westlake Pipe & Fittings, a Westlake division on the NYSE (WLK), is one of North America’s largest manufacturers of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe and fittings. With 23 manufacturing and distribution locations, the company serves municipal water and sewer, plumbing, water well, pool and spa, and agricultural and turf irrigation markets. Westlake is an industry leader in product development, featuring Certa‑Lok® spline‑lock technology and systems focused on building a better foundation. For more information, visit WestlakePipe.com and follow Westlake on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Summary

The Process Engineer will be heavily involved in daily operations at the Abbotsford, BC plant and is a key member of the plant leadership team. The role leads the manufacturing program for plant output optimization, downtime reduction, scrap reduction, process control, and material usage optimization. Responsibilities include providing problem‑solving consultation, developing engineering procedures, standard operating procedures, training materials, and engineering support for capital projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support operations by leading and directing technical activities necessary to solve problems encountered in any part of the facility.
• Develop and maintain process guidelines (SOP / SOC) and training programs for the integration of new employees or role changes, and lead Westlake’s Management of Change Process covering health, safety, environmental and employee training requirements for new products and systems.
• Conduct data analysis of scrap, downtime, line rates, and material usage; prepare charts and reports to assist the plant team in making data‑driven decisions to improve results.
• Continually strive to reduce process variation (improve process capability) to ensure consistent product quality and adherence to manufacturing and agency standards.
• Lead cost‑reduction initiatives through materials, product, and process improvements; facilitate brainstorming sessions and develop action plans for Westlake’s Continuous Improvement Process and Profit Improvement Process (PIP), targeting utilities consumption, cycle times, scrap, downtime, material usage variance, and direct labor.
• Utilize a variety of continuous improvement tools such as Lean Manufacturing / Toyota Production Systems, Six Sigma, 5S / 6S, Total Productive Maintenance, Kaizen Events, Value Stream Maps, Design of Experiments, FMEAs, and Advanced Problem‑Solving.
• Participate in updating manufacturing standards as a result of performance improvements.
• Develop work‑cell layouts to optimize material flow and support 5S and visual management initiatives.
• Initiate new equipment and technologies to maintain the company’s competitive advantage; prepare detailed scope definitions, plant capability assessments, throughput and equipment control requirements, function block diagrams, process parameters, data acquisition needs, and capital expense justification. Oversee RFQ documents and execution timeline plans, including facility preparation, installation, HSE, training, and production ramp‑up.

Occupational Health and Safety

Employee Relations

Education, Experience and Qualifications

Base Pay

The base pay range for this position is $95,000 to $110,000, based on market data in our lowest and highest geographic markets. Pay is influenced by location, job‑related knowledge, experience, and skill set. Westlake offers a total compensation package that may include sign‑on payments, medical benefits, and other forms of compensation.

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Management and Manufacturing

Industry

Chemical Manufacturing

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