Process Engineer

IKO Industries Ltd. is a market leader in the manufacturing of roofing and building materials. IKO is a Canadian owned and operated business with production facilities worldwide and has many years of unparalleled success in the roofing materials industry. Quality, integrity, and trustworthiness are the values that underlie this success, and we have built this company by hiring people who hold these values. People like you!

Job Description

IKO is seeking a skilled and driven Process Engineer to join our team at our new extruded polystyrene (XPS) manufacturing facility in Brantford, Ontario . This is a hands-on, plant-based role focused on optimizing production processes, supporting plant startup activities, and fine-tuning equipment to ensure operational excellence. The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise, a passion for continuous improvement, and a strong background in plant engineering.

Benets

• Health Insurance (includes Virtual Health, and HCSA), Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance, Long-term Disability, Short-term Disability
• RRSP Match
• Paid Vacation
• Floating Days
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Engagement Events
• Awards and Recognition
• Tuition reimbursement
• Service Awards
• Employee Perks & Discounts

Job Responsibilities

• Lead and optimize extruded polystyrene manufacturing processes, including extrusion, foaming, and finishing stages.
• Drive plant startup activities, ensuring smooth commissioning and ramp-up of new equipment and systems.
• Calibrate and tune plant equipment (e.g., extruders, molds, auxiliary systems) for optimal performance, consistency, and energy efficiency.
• Monitor and troubleshoot process parameters (temperature, pressure, material flow) to maintain product quality and minimize downtime.
• Conduct root cause analyses and implement corrective actions for process deviations, equipment failures, and quality issues.
• Develop and maintain plant-specific SOPs and work instructions for startup, tuning, and production operations.
• Analyze production data to identify trends, reduce waste, and improve yield and throughput.
• Support capital projects, including equipment upgrades and installations, with a focus on cost-effectiveness and reliability.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations, including safe handling of blowing agents and raw materials.
• Train and mentor plant operators and maintenance personnel on process optimization and equipment operation.
• Collaborate with R&D and Quality Assurance teams to support new product trials and process validations.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering (or related field).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in XPS, polymer extrusion, or foam production.
• Proven experience with plant startups and equipment tuning in a single-site setting.
• Strong knowledge of extrusion processes, polymer chemistry, and plant equipment (e.g., extruders, pumps, heat exchangers).
• Hands-on troubleshooting skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Familiarity with process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) is an asset.
• Proficiency in data analysis and process simulation tools (e.g., Aspen, MATLAB, or similar).
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of applicable regulatory standards (OSHA, EPA, etc.).
• Direct experience with XPS manufacturing, including blowing agents (HFC, HFO, blends) and foam density control.

• Background in energy efficiency and sustainability practices in a manufacturing setting.
• Experience leading plant-specific process improvement or equipment tuning projects.

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Benefits of Employment: IKO recognizes that its success is due to the strength of its employees. A primary goal of IKO is to promote individual employee's sense of accomplishment and contribution so that employees enjoy their association with IKO. The Company invests in its employees so that they are the most knowledgeable in the industry, and undertakes great efforts to nurture loyalty to, and teamwork at, IKO. We are pleased to offer competitive compensation, health care, a progressive and challenging workplace and a commitment to teamwork and integrity.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity Employment: IKO Industries Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability. IKO Industries Ltd. encourages and welcomes applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.