Process Improvement Engineer
Magnera · Old Hickory, TN
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Lean / CI
- Travel
- 50%
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 60+ years
- Certification
- Black Belt preferred
- Industry
- Packaging
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level continuous improvement role at Magnera (packaging) in Old Hickory, TN. By bringing together these legacy companies, the distinct scale and comprehensive portfolio of products will bring customers more materials and choices.
- They ask for
- 60+ years · degree required · Black Belt preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Black Belt, Green Belt, Kaizen, 5S
- Day to day
- about 50% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Continuous Improvement roles in the US: typical posted base $105k–$150k.
Median of the low and high ends of 155 live postings that list pay, out of 413 continuous improvement openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Tennessee plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 12 other live lean / ci postings in Tennessee.
- Experience asked
- More than usual (60+ vs 4+)
Similar roles usually ask 4+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 62%
- ✓ Six Sigma 62%
- ✓ Kaizen 54%
- ✓ 5S 46%
- Team leadership 46%
- Value stream mapping 31%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Power BI / Tableau, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Lean / CI team at Magnera
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is CI run from the plant floor or from a corporate OpEx group?
- Which metrics does leadership actually watch: OEE, scrap, cost per unit?
- The posting says about 50% travel. Between which sites?
- The posting mentions a Black Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Magnera in Old Hickory
5 other open roles at this site.
- Electrical Maintenance Tech · Reliability · Technician
- Production Supervisor · Production · Supervisor
- Maintenance Tech · Reliability · Technician
- ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN · Reliability · Technician
- Industrial Electrician · Reliability · Technician
Full description from MagneraAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Job summary
The Process Improvement Engineer/Specialist drives operational excellence by identifying and implementing opportunities to improve productivity, quality, cost, and service. Using Lean, Six Sigma, AI-enabled analytics, and data-driven problem solving, this role leads continuous improvement initiatives and supports deployment of the Magnera Operating System (MOS) across U.S. and Canadian operations. This role is a leadership development opportunity with a target of 2-3 years supporting key projects and initiatives with a path to increased responsibilities/position
Responsibilities
- ◆Analyze operational and production data to identify waste, variation, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities.
- ◆Lead Kaizen, DMAIC, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving activities.
- ◆Apply Lean methods including 5S, standard work, visual management, process mapping, and daily management.
- ◆Lead cross-functional improvement projects from chartering through implementation and sustainment.
- ◆Use SPC, data analytics, Power BI, AI-enabled tools, and other digital solutions to improve performance and decision-making.
- ◆Coach site teams in Lean, structured problem solving, and continuous improvement methods to build capability and embed problem solving into daily operations.
- ◆Support deployment and continuous improvement of Magnera operational frameworks and standards.
- ◆Standardize and replicate successful solutions and best practices across sites.
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.
- ✓5+ years of relevant manufacturing, engineering, operations, or process improvement experience, including at least 2 years in a continuous improvement-focused role. Experience in nonwovens, paper, film, plastics, converting, or similar manufacturing environments preferred.
- ✓Experience applying Lean and Six Sigma methodologies; Green Belt preferred, with Black Belt certification a plus or expected to be achieved in the role.
- ✓Strong capability in process mapping, root cause analysis, SPC, structured problem solving, and data analysis.
- ✓Experience with Power BI, AI-enabled analytics, or digital manufacturing tools preferred.
- ✓Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects and deliver measurable business results.
- ✓Strong facilitation, coaching, communication, and influencing skills.
- ✓Ability to travel up to 50%.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Overview
Overview
Magnera's purpose is to better the world with new possibilities made real. For more than 160 years, the originating companies have delivered the material solutions their partners need to thrive. Through economic upheaval, global pandemics and changing end-user needs, they have consistently found ways to solve problems and exceed expectations. By bringing together these legacy companies, the distinct scale and comprehensive portfolio of products will bring customers more materials and choices. With a combined legacy of resilience, Magnera will build personal partnerships that withstand an ever-changing world.
Competencies
- •Results-oriented with a proven record of delivering measurable improvements in productivity, quality, cost, and service
- •Digitally fluent: applies data analytics, AI-enabled tools, and digital solutions to improve performance
- •Project leadership: plans, charters, and leads improvement projects and cross-functional teams through project execution and benefit delivery
- •Continuous improvement mindset
- •Data-driven approach
- •Strong problem solver and change agent
- •Ability to collaborate and influence across the organization
Impact
Deliver measurable improvements in productivity, quality, cost, service, and operational performance by standardizing processes, enabling them digitally, and leading projects through to realized benefits.