Process Engineer
Function: Production
Reports to: Operations Manager
Location: Leioa, Basque Country, Spain
Terms & Conditions: Full-time Local Terms
A strong candidate has been identified through our succession planning.
While a strong internal candidate has been identified through our succession planning process, we remain open to additional applications to ensure that all individuals who meet the required skills, performance, experience, and leadership criteria outlined in the JD have a fair opportunity to be considered.
All resumes must be in English.
JOB PURPOSE
Ensure the continuous improvement and stability of production processes by eliminating losses, defects and waste, applying UMS methodologies and acting as technical trainer and reference in operational excellence. The role is critical to the development of the factory (zero defects, zero waste, zero losses), applying the full range of Focused Improvement methods across Safety, Quality, Business Priority/Cost Deployment, Autonomous Maintenance, Customer Service and Agility. Contributes directly to the development of semi-autonomous teams, ensuring high standards of safety, quality, efficiency and sustainability.
Most Complex Aspects of the Role
Root-cause analysis of losses across complex, multi-variable production problems, applying the full UMS toolset (FI, AM, PM, Q, PD).
Proposing and validating effective countermeasures and technical standards while balancing safety, quality, cost and delivery.
Driving consistent digital/automation deployment across lines with varying technical maturity.
Sustaining influence and teamwork to advance semi-autonomous teams without formal authority over the crews.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Analyse losses and operational problems, identifying root causes through direct floor observation, data analysis and hands-on involvement
Design and drive action plans and Run to Standard (R2S) implementation (data collection/analysis, loss prioritisation, problem solving, SMED, AM activities and machine settings/centerlines), building multidisciplinary teams
Establish and validate technical standards defining basic operating conditions
Act as technical trainer for line teams, coaching in phenomena identification, root-cause analysis and establishment of countermeasures
Analyse operational data - including accuracy of MMP Code data - to detect patterns and make informed, data-driven decisions
Validate process improvements and establish/update revised basic conditions on the line
Lead or coordinate digital and automation project deployment; suggest automation solutions where relevant expertise exists
Provide inputs to the EEM pillar (MP data); support Factory OR and DBNR improvement in collaboration with Customer Service and Agility
Coordinate with other departments and external agents (e.g. equipment suppliers) to implement technical improvements
Optimise process design, resource allocation and NVAA reduction
Identify good practices and extend them to other lines
Foster a culture of safety, quality and continuous improvement, acting as a reference in the application of good practices
Stakeholders and Purpose
Production (Operators, Shift Team Leader, Area Leader): Day-to-day operations
Transformation (ManEx Coordinator / Continuous Improvement Specialist): Ensure alignment with Unilever UMS methodology
Equipment Suppliers: Restore basic equipment conditions and implement technical improvements
Engineering, Transformation, Quality, Safety (engineers, project technicians, work teams): Collaboration on projects and daily operations management
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
University degree, Engineering specialisation, preferably with FMCG manufacturing background (Packaging: mechanical, electrical, robotics; or Processing: product technology knowledge). Potential development role for technicians or technical operators.
Experience
2 years of prior experience.
Additional Training:
Data analysis and visualisation tools; statistics and process control; basics of coding; technical drawing / 3D modelling
Languages
Spanish native or full professional proficiency.
English: Intermediate level.
Other
Business acumen linking manufacturing performance to finance KPIs and BG targets; project management awareness; behaviors aligned with Unilever's Bias for Action, Accountability & Responsibility, Growth Mindset and Consumer Love.
Time to full performance
Approximately 1 year in role.
Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.