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Process Engineer

Sonoco · Wisconsin Rapids, WI · $73,280–$82,440 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 18, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a process improvement you led in a manufacturing plant that cut scrap or raised productivity. What were the numbers?

What they are checking: Whether they can show measurable results instead of describing activity.

Tell me about a capital project you managed. How did you keep it on time and on budget?

What they are checking: Whether they have actually run projects with contractors, schedules and budgets, not just designed them.

Tell me about a time a change you made did not work. What did you do next?

What they are checking: Whether they own failures and use them to learn rather than hiding results.

What would you do

Operators have run a process the same way for twenty years and resist your change. How do you get them on board?

What they are checking: Whether they can win over experienced operators by listening and involving them, not by forcing the change.

How would you set annual process improvement goals for the plant?

What they are checking: Whether they can turn plant priorities into specific, measurable goals they can be held to.

How do you balance a quality improvement against its effect on production rate?

What they are checking: Whether they think about tradeoffs across the whole operation instead of optimizing one number.

How would you make sure an improvement sticks after you move on to the next project?

What they are checking: Whether they build in procedures, training and monitoring so gains do not fade.

About the work

How would you analyze production trends on a paper machine to find where the biggest losses are?

What they are checking: Whether they use data like downtime, grade changes and break records to target real problems.

Walk me through how you would build a capital authorization request for a new piece of equipment.

What they are checking: Whether they can make a business case with costs, savings and payback that leadership will approve.

What process control strategies have you used to keep paper quality consistent, like basis weight or moisture?

What they are checking: Whether they understand papermaking process control well enough to lead the plant's control strategy.

What new technology would you look at to improve a paper mill like this one?

What they are checking: Whether they keep up with the industry and can judge which technology is worth the investment.

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The full job description

As published by Sonoco.

From a small family business to a multi-billion-dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 — all while keeping the heart of “People Build Businesses” alive. Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with diversified operations in over 34 countries. We're extremely proud of our portfolio of brands, our achievements in sustainability and industrialization and the groundbreaking work accomplished by our people. Responsible for process improvement in the paper manufacturing process. Conducts studies and makes recommendations with regard to continuous process control improvements which enhance productivity, reduce scrap. Improve quality and enhance the work environment. Develops capital authorization requests and manages capital projects. What you’ll be doing: • Provides plant leadership for manufacturing control strategies and process improvement plans. Develops annual goals and objectives for process improvement and manages implementation of the process improvement strategy. Analyzes production trends to identify opportunities for improvement. • Develops capital authorization requests and manages capital projects. Identifies new technology and leverages new technology from other Paper Division manufacturing locations. • Utilizes Six Sigma and Total Quality Management tools to which enhance productivity, reduce scrap, improve quality and enhance the work environment. Manages multiple projects and supports process improvement teams within the plants. • Works with plant employees to establish standard work instructions for manufacturing procedures which supports quality products and services. • In conjunction with mill support team, conducts mill audits to identify improvement opportunities. Develops improvement action plans based on the audits and manages the implementation of those plans. • Manages and documents mill engineering changes. Maintains current records of mill processes and controls. • Works with customers to qualify mill engineering changes and their impact on the customers processes and products. • Provides support to maintenance systems within the mill • Works with Quality Engineer and Customers to develop or improve paper grades. Establishes control plans to provide long-term sustainable improvements. This position is located in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. We’d love to hear from you if: • BS degree in Engineering/sciences or equivalent • 5 years of manufacturing experience, Compensation: This is a progression position, and can be a Level I, II, III, or Senior, depending on experience and business needs. The annual base salary range for this role is as follows: • Engineer, Plant Process: The annual base salary range for this role is from $73,280 to $82,440. • Engineer II, Plant Process: The annual base salary range for this role is from $92,800 to $104,400, plus 12.5% monthly target bonus. • Engineer III, Plant Process: The annual base salary range for this role is from $104,800 to $117,900, plus 12.5% monthly target bonus. • Senior Engineer, Plant Process: The annual base salary range for this role is from $113,840 to $128,070, plus 12.5% monthly target bonus. #LI-TW1 At Sonoco Products Company, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package, including competitive pay and benefits. *Benefits listed below are for employees located in the U.S. Specific benefits and wellbeing programs may vary depending on your location (within the U.S. or global), or if you are a union employee. Benefits • Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options • 401(k) retirement plan with company match • Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services • Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate and care for the health of yourself and family • Variety of company paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance • Tuition reimbursement We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.

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