OUR COMPANY
Family-owned and operated, we’ve been one of Vancouver Island’s leading cabinetry manufacturers for over 35 years. From our breathtaking showroom and in-house expert design team to our cutting-edge robotics - we offer our customers an incredible full-service experience and deliver remarkable quality kitchen cabinetry that satisfies and delights.
OUR TEAM
At Harbour City Kitchens, we foster a culture centered around Ownership Mentality, Innovation in Action, and being a strong Team Player—creating an environment where our people feel valued, supported, and encouraged to grow. This means that we are dedicated to building a diverse workforce, where employees feel a sense of belonging, and are valued for their contributions and perspectives.
MANUFACTURING / PROCESS ENGINEER OVERVIEW
The Process Engineer is the technical engine of HCK’s operational improvement work - doing the hands-on engineering (process design, line balancing, time studies, capacity and cost modelling, capex justification) that turns improvement strategy into measurable change on the floor. The role pairs with the Director of Operational Excellence: that role owns cross-functional and strategic improvement; this role owns the technical execution those projects require, with neutral authority above any single operational function.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Process Design & Standard Work
- Standard work - document standard work for every cell (cutting, edging, drilling, assembly, finishing, custom shop, shipping) with visual operator instructions; maintain it as processes evolve and drive adherence with Production.
- Line balancing - balance the workload so each station takes about the same time to keep pace with demand; remove bottleneck stations by shifting work, adding automation, or changing the layout.
- Plant layout - improve layout for one-piece flow, reduced WIP, and shorter cycle times; lead layout changes during installs/expansions with Maintenance.
Constraint, Capacity & Throughput
- VSM & TOC - lead the VSM and bottleneck study; lead projects to increase the identified constraints capacity.
- Time studies & standards - measure how long each operation actually takes and maintain the labour-standards database; this is the time data that feeds the TDABC cost model and the capacity model.
- Capacity modelling - partner with Planning & Scheduling to translate process changes into capacity numbers; plan capacity expansion for ramp-up targets.
- OEE & throughput - establish and maintain OEE on bottleneck equipment; analyze throughput by cell, shift, and product mix; feed the CI portfolio.
Quality Engineering & Risk
- PFMEA & control plans - build and maintain process flow diagrams, PFMEAs, and process control plans - turning failure-mode analysis into real shop-floor controls; coordinated with—but not owned by—the Quality/EHS Manager.
- SPC & capability - apply SPC and process-capability (Cp/Cpk) methods on key characteristics, so processes are proven stable before lead times are committed.
- Structured problem-solving - lead root-cause and corrective-action work (8D / A3 / 5-Why) on recurring process and quality issues.
Material & Cost
- Material yield / nesting - own panel-yield and nesting-utilization improvement within Cabinet Vision / Alphacam (grain direction, kerf, offcut reuse, multi-job nesting) - a primary cost lever in sheet-goods manufacturing.
- Cost support - provide should-cost and make-vs-outsource analysis as volume and product mix change, grounded in the TDABC cost model; supply the operation-time data the model runs on.
New & Custom Product - Manufacturing Readiness
- Process side of launch - own manufacturing readiness for new and custom products greenlit by the Product Engineer - process flow, PFMEA, control plan, work instructions, fixturing/jigs, and ramp-up. The Product Engineer owns product feasibility, design, and product cost; this role owns how it is built once approved.
- DFM input - provide shop-floor manufacturability input that informs the Product Engineer’s DFM decisions; flag parts that are costly or error-prone to produce before they reach the floor.
Equipment, Capex & Pipeline
- Capex & Install - evaluate equipment on ROI, capacity gain, and quality impact; write business cases for Production / COO / CEO; lead install, commissioning, and ramp-up with Maintenance.
- CAD-to-CNC pipeline & change control - partner with IT, Drafting, and Product Engineering to optimize the drafting to CNC workflow; eliminate rework, file errors, and translation losses; keep standard work, control plans, and CNC programs synchronized through engineering changes.
- Data-driven projects - pull and analyze production data from the HCK stack (Zoho, Web-Cab PA, Cabinet Vision) to target and quantify improvements; document before/after data, root cause, and sustainment for every project.
People & Safety Support
- Training - support Production and HR with operator training content for standard work and help build the materials used to train and bring new hires up to speed on the floor.
- Safety-by-design - design ergonomics and safety into process and layout (lifting, dust, tooling), partnered with the Quality/EHS Manager.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience
- 5–8 years in manufacturing / industrial / process engineering in discrete manufacturing, with hands-on shop-floor experience (not office-only).
- Quantified improvement project portfolio, delivered with substantial autonomy.
- Demonstrated time studies, line balancing, labour standards, and equipment evaluation/ capex justification.
Education
- Bachelors in industrial / manufacturing / mechanical engineering, or equivalent practical experience. P.Eng. a strong asset, not required.
Technical - must-have (in priority order)
- Structured problem-solving (8D / A3 / 5-Why / Fishbone) - the daily use skill for turning firefighting into deliberate improvement.
- SPC and process capability (Cp/Cpk); PFMEA and control-plan development.
- Lean methods (VSM, 5S, kaizen) and TOC bottleneck analysis.
- Strong Excel modelling (capacity, throughput, ROI) and the ability to pull/analyze data from production systems.
- CAD proficiency for layout (AutoCAD / SolidWorks / Cabinet Vision); CNC concepts - nesting and toolpaths (must understand, not necessarily program).
Technical - strong asset
- Design of Experiments (DOE) for finishing and machining optimization - valuable when used judiciously; not a daily tool.
- Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt; TDABC familiarity; MES implementation; plant layout / expansion projects.
- Wood / furniture / millwork / cabinet experience; semi-automated CNC (Biesse, SCM, Homag, Felder, Weeke); HCK stack (Web-Cab PA, Cabinet Vision, Alphacam, Zoho).
Soft skills
- Practical shop-floor temperament; strong influence without direct authority; patient teacher; independent in technical execution while reporting to the Director of Operational Excellence.
COMPENSATION
- $80,000–$105,000 annually, depending on experience
- Extended health benefits, including 80% dental coverage
- RRSP/DPSP matching program through Manulife
- Safe and modern working environment
- Opportunities for growth and development
- Gourmet coffee and tea bar
- Team events including summer BBQs, team lunches and Holiday parties
JOB TYPE
Full-time 40 hours per week
In-office
HOW TO APPLY
Please apply with a cover letter and resume
- No phone calls or drop-ins
We will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you if you are selected to continue in the recruitment process.
Thank you for your desire to join our team. We look forward to hearing from you!
Pay: $80,000.00-$105,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Experience:
- manufacturing/industrial/process engineering: 5 years (required)
Location:
- Saanichton, BC V8M 2A5 (required)
Work Location: In person
