Technical Manager

Looking for a rewarding career with a company that values people, growth, sustainability, and teamwork? Join our Arauco team as a Techical Manager!

This role is located onsite at our Malvern, AR manufacturing site and reports to the Plant Manager.

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Wood Science, Engineering, Chemistry or related field preferred.
• Understanding of AMS and SAP systems.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, highly analytical and possess solid math skills.
• Knowledge of Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing and SPC tools.
• Strong Computer Skills (Word, Power Point, and advanced Excel).
• Self-motivated with strong organizational skills
• Availability during some holidays, weekends, and odd shifts in addition to being on call as necessary required
• Willing and able to travel throughout US and Internationally as needed for company related business needs

What we offer:

• An attractive compensation package with either bonus or profit/gain sharing eligibility for every role
• Health plans with options that meet your needs, including a wellness program, gym reimbursement, and additional benefits such as pet insurance, legal insurance, employer-paid and voluntary life insurance, and more
• Paid maternity and paternity leave, a competitive vacation package, and company and floating holidays designed to support your work-life balance
• Retirement planning options, including generous employer contributions
• Opportunities to learn and develop, including a tuition reimbursement program

In this role, you would:

• Manage QA programs at the mill
• Participate in product quality and production troubleshooting
• Oversee quality data collection and reporting
• Responsible for compliance with CPA/ECC Program, UL FR program and FSC program
• Responsible for all lab procedures and institution of new standards as required in accordance with guiding documents (i.e. ASTM, ANSI, etc)
• Accountable for the development and maintenance of recipes for all products
• Manage the master trial list and R&D tax credit tracking
• Lead R&D efforts to reduce product costs and develop new product grades to gain market share in partnership with sales team
• Participate in weekend on-call coverage for the mill
• Advocate for SPC through use of SPC tools for product and process optimization while coaching staff to do same
• Participate in customer site visits and troubleshooting product quality issues with marketing/customers
• Understand customer requirements and ensure mill QC program delivers desired product performance characteristics
• Oversee the optimization initiatives for the QA department
• Support Production Manager, Area Coordinators, and Maintenance Leads in development, implementation, tracking, and reporting of plans for waste and grade-out improvement throughout the year
• Share trial plans and results of trials with Business Technical Director.  Gather learning’s from other mills in the ARAUCO family and determine what is applicable for all of the Malvern operations
• Work with Business Technical Director to set mill published Specs and maintain their accuracy  Involve marketing for input and approval
• Liaison with CPA and customers inquiring on emission-related issues
• Participate in QC audit exchanges with other ARAUCO Mills
• Advance technical knowledge and skills through attendance of symposiums and seminars
• Ensure compliance with CPA Formaldehyde Grademark program standards and other certifications
• Coach, support and empower employees within area ownership and hold personnel to correct level of accountability
• Communicate mill quality performance relative to budget and technical department activities through monthly quality report and MOR
• Manage rework and quality holds through SAP
• Ownership of safety for Quality department
• Lead 6S projects as needed
• Participates in Mill housekeeping/safety audits
• Review and manage safety work orders to ensure completion in order of priority
• Take reasonable measures to prevent accidents and coach staff to understand the impact they can make on a safer work environment
• Exhibit appropriate safety behaviors when at customer sites and other mill sites
• Maintain a safe work environment
• Ensure the completion of required safety training for all QA staff

About Us: At ARAUCO, we’re more than a global leader in sustainable wood products—we’re a team driven by innovation, environmental stewardship, and strong core values. Committed to responsible forestry and quality craftsmanship, we create products that shape industries and protect the planet. Sustainability is central to everything we do—from responsible forestry to reducing environmental impact, we are dedicated to preserving natural resources for future generations. 

 Grow your career with purpose and help us shape a better future—one product, one idea, and one team at a time. 

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Arauco is committed to creating an inclusive culture across the organization. Arauco is an equal opportunity employer to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. 

Additionally, we demonstrate that commitment by preventing and removing barriers for persons with disabilities.  Where it is not possible to remove barriers, Arauco will make efforts to accommodate persons with disabilities in a timely, effective and suitable manner.  If you require any accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know.