Process Documentation Specialist

The Process Documentation Specialist is responsible for capturing, organizing, standardizing, and maintaining operational knowledge throughout the organization. This role works closely with operators, technicians, supervisors, engineers, quality personnel, and other subject matter experts to convert institutional knowledge into structured, accessible, and sustainable process documentation. Serving as one of several resources for developing and maintaining high-quality visual work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), process documentation, and knowledge management systems, this role helps create the organizational framework ensuring employees can easily locate, understand, and utilize the information needed to perform their work.

1. Develops, revises, and maintains standard operating procedures (SOPs), manufacturing work instructions, process guides, and related operational documentation.
2. Ensures all documentation is accurate, consistent, user-friendly, and aligned with operational requirements.
3. Performs periodic reviews of existing documentation to identify outdated content, inconsistencies, duplication, and documentation gaps, while managing revision activities and approval workflows.
4. Converts existing text-heavy procedures into standardized visual work instructions utilizing photographs, diagrams, illustrations, flowcharts, and visual controls.
5. Creates professional, annotated visual work instructions that improve comprehension, consistency, and training effectiveness. Standardize visual work instruction formats across departments and collaborate with leaders to ensure visual documentation reflects actual operational practices.
6. Partners with experienced operators and subject matter experts to capture critical process knowledge, troubleshooting methods, setup procedures, and quality requirements.
7. Conducts structured interviews, observations, and shop-floor reviews to document how work is actually performed and support knowledge transfer initiatives associated with retirements, workforce growth, and cross-training efforts.
8. Learns and evaluates the current organizational structure for process documentation across the enterprise to understand existing relationships between policies, procedures, work instructions, forms, standards, process maps, and training materials.
9. Identifies potential gaps, inconsistencies, and areas for improvement within the current architecture.
10. Assesses existing centralized knowledge repositories and document management systems, and recommends improvements for document classification, naming conventions, and metadata.
11. Identifies and coordinates the consolidation of duplicate, conflicting, or obsolete documentation with document owners.
12. Participates in process reviews, engineering changes, and improvement initiatives to identify documentation impacts resulting from process, equipment, tooling, quality, or safety changes.
13. Updates work instructions and knowledge repositories following approved changes to ensure they accurately reflect current-state operations, and communicate these updates to affected stakeholders.
14. Builds strong working relationships with production personnel, engineers, maintenance teams, and management.
15. Serves as a resource to departments seeking assistance with process documentation and facilitate review sessions with subject matter experts to translate technical knowledge into accessible documentation.
16. Maintains confidentiality of all information processed.

Exceptional technical writing, editing, and document development skills. Strong visual communication and information design capabilities. Ability to organize complex information into intuitive structures. Excellent interviewing, active listening, and facilitation skills. Understanding of manufacturing processes and shop-floor operations. Strong attention to detail and commitment to documentation accuracy. Familiarity with document control systems and revision management practices. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and documentation development tools. Ability to build credibility and trust with operators, technicians, engineers, and supervisors.

Work will be performed in a manufacturing, production, or office setting. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to monitor manufacturing processes, analyze data using computer software, and collaborate with cross-functional teams. The role requires regular communication with both internal personnel and external agencies or customers.

REQUIRED: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (such as Manufacturing/Engineering Technology, Technical Communication, Business, or Education) OR an equivalent mix of education and experience. Three years or more of experience in technical writing, process documentation, training development, quality systems, manufacturing support, or knowledge management. Experience developing work instructions, SOPs, visual documentation, or training materials, as well as interviewing subject matter experts and documenting technical processes.

PREFERRED: Experience working within a manufacturing, industrial, or production environment.

Compensation:The pay range for this position is $56,692 to $69,743 a year. May increase depending on the level of experience of the candidate.