Continuous Improvement Engineer

Since 1973, Taber Extrusions has been a leading manufacturer of aluminum extrusion-based products for OEMs in markets ranging from Military, Department of Defense, Aircraft/Aerospace, Marine/Shipbuilder, Boat Docks, Platforms, Decking, Motor Housing, Electronics, Heat Sinks, Automotive, Rail, and Structural Components. Taber is headquartered in Russellville, Arkansas and operates two manufacturing sites in Russellville and one manufacturing site located in Gulfport, Mississippi. The Company is segmented into five operating units; Extrusion, Cast House, Fabrication, Friction Stir Welding and Micro Extrusion.

Taber offers a broad set of capabilities including a full range of aluminum alloys (1000, 2000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 series), extrusion sizes from 7” up to 29” in profile width, and value-added services such as high tolerance machining, precision cutting, welding, bending, friction stir welding and customer supply chain solutions. Taber has recently added micro extrusion capabilities to produce precision aluminum components for a broad range of markets.

The company produces its own secondary aluminum billet in its cast house located in Gulfport with sizes ranging in diameter from 7”, 9”, 11”, 16”, 20”, and 10x28” slab. The Company also has fabrication and value add operations located in Russellville that are key to providing the unique capabilities demanded in today’s market. Taber has continued to make ongoing investments in their value-added capabilities including a friction stir welder in Russellville. For further information, please see the Company’s website, www.taberextrusions.com.

Taber is currently seeking a Continuous Improvement Engineer for its Russellville, AR manufacturing site. This position will report to the Engineering Manager and will be directly involved in process optimization and continuous improvement efforts. If you believe you have the qualifications and experience that meet the job duties detailed below and a desire to impact the growing future ahead of us, please consider applying today to join the Taber Team.

Job Title: Continuous Improvement Engineer Reports to: Engineering Manager

Department Name: Management Department #: Location: Russellville Creation Date: 5/31/2019

Exempt or Non-Exempt: Exempt Revision Date: 3/5/2026

Job Summary

Responsible for initiating and directing continuous improvement projects that: reduce material waste, improve quality of product and processes, increase productivity of production lines and other cost improvement efforts to improve profitability. This position provides individuals a unique opportunity to develop a well-rounded knowledge of aluminum manufacturing. Individuals will routinely interact with all levels of plant and division staff through events, meetings, reviews, and daily improvement activities. This position requires a hands-on, on the production floor, daily commitment mentality driven to implement and sustain systematic improvement. One of the expectations of this position is for the individual to develop skill sets that lead to potential opportunities with division and plant leadership as part of the organization’s succession planning.

Duties and Responsibilities:

- Works directly with division level and plant operational staff on implementing, growing, and sustaining the business processes. This is mostly direct, on-site support but will also require the ability to remotely monitor progress, assist with questions, and develop corrective actions to ensure system processes are maintained and that a culture of continuous improvement is sustained.

- Develop measurement systems required to measure facilities metrics or key process indicators. Ensure that scorecards are aligned with plant strategic goals. Action plans should be maintained on all key metrics.

- Identify, analyze and implement manufacturing improvement solutions.

- Initiate, manage & participate in safety, quality, cost & process control improvement, and delivery projects.

- Participate in the “team” process development concept.

- Support design and/or source equipment for manufacturing processes.

- Develop all necessary process and audit documentation (i.e. FMEAs Control Plans, Capability Studies, Balanced Line Capacity Models, Flow Analysis, etc.).

- Assess existing processes for areas of improvement utilizing Lean Manufacturing concepts (Kaizen, TPM, Value Stream Mapping, etc.) Six Sigma, designed experiment techniques, capability studies, etc.

- Evaluates and recommends implementation of competitive technology.

- Leads, where applicable, or works in conjunction with plant maintenance to ensure that the facility and equipment are maintained and updated consistent with short and long term goals and objectives.

- Creates, schedules, and provides training to associates.

- Follows all city, state and federal regulatory legislation

- Performs other duties as assigned.

Year One Critical Success Factors

- Full use of Plex ERP to balance and manage workflow and successfully achieve goals for Delivery, Inventory, and Production Cost, Productivity, and Waste.

Education and Experience:

- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, or related discipline or equivalent combination of experience and education

- Ten (10) years’ manufacturing experience in process/manufacturing engineering is preferred. Specific technical knowledge may be required as applicable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

- Safety and quality mindset.

- Organized and detail oriented. Self-motivated and team oriented.

- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing concepts.

- Knowledge of MS Office applications required.

- Ability to work as a team

Physical Demands/Work Requirements:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.