Senior Manager, Process Engineer

Senior Manager, Process Engineer - Operations  | Reports to SVP, Operations 

KLDiscovery is hiring a Senior Manager, Process Engineer to build the industrial engineering function from the ground up. This is a building role, not a maintaining one. The work spans process design, constraint management, performance measurement, and cross-functional leadership across a high-volume operations environment. The right candidate will move quickly, measure everything, and earn credibility through evidence rather than mandate.

What you'll be doing:

Process engineering and design. Own end-to-end process mapping across all operational workflows, from intake through delivery. Apply Lean, Six Sigma, DMAIC, and Theory of Constraints to identify waste and redesign for throughput and quality. Establish KLD-wide documentation standards (SOPs, swimlane maps, RACI), maintain a current- and future-state process library that serves as the operational baseline for all functions, and lead process design for new capability launches so scalability is engineered in from day one.

Throughput and capacity management. Identify and actively manage the binding constraint in the production system at all times. Build capacity models that connect staffing, work mix, and throughput to revenue and delivery commitments. Develop surge capacity playbooks and flex staffing frameworks, and partner with Ops leaders to sequence and prioritize investments based on constraint analysis and unit economics.

Performance measurement and reporting. Design and own the KPI framework for operational performance, including throughput, cycle time, error rate, cost per unit, and capacity utilization. Build dashboards and reporting cadences that give leadership real-time visibility into process health. Run structured variance analysis to surface root causes, not symptoms, and deliver executive-ready reports with clear recommendations.

Cross-functional leadership and automation. Lead a process improvement council across Ops, Product, Technology, and Finance to align on priorities and eliminate duplicative effort. Partner with Product and Engineering to translate process requirements into automation and tooling specifications. Build credibility through data, transparency, and demonstrated results, and represent the process function in executive planning and investment decisions.

Team development and function building. Hire, develop, and retain a team of industrial engineers and process analysts. Build the IE function from an ad hoc resource into a standing capability the business relies on. Coach practitioners in structured problem-solving and stakeholder communication, and establish a continuous improvement culture that does not depend on the IE team to initiate every project.

What you should already have:

We expect a builder with operating experience, not a methodologist. Most of the work is in a high-volume, PE-backed environment where urgency and resource constraints are the norm, so candidates should be comfortable making calls with imperfect data.

• Eight or more years in industrial engineering, process engineering, or operational excellence in a high-volume environment.

• Proven track record of designing and implementing process improvements with measurable impact on throughput, cost, or quality.

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent certification strongly preferred.

• Experience building or leading an IE or operational excellence function, not just contributing to one.

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with proficiency in process mapping tools, statistical analysis, and data visualization.

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams without direct authority.

• Experience in PE-backed or high-growth environments where urgency and resource constraints are the norm.

• Executive-grade communication; able to translate process findings into business decisions.

• Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, operations research, or a related quantitative field; advanced degree a plus.

• Track record of developing and promoting talent within the function.

Benefits and Perks:

• A talented, collaborative team that will push and support you.

• Market-competitive compensation, performance bonus, and equity participation.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.

• 401(k) retirement plan.

• The opportunity to build a function from the ground up in a PE-backed growth environment.