Description

Reports to: Engineering & Capability Development Director

Location: Woodland, CA

Summary/Objective 

The employee holding the Senior Project Engineer position is responsible for the design, development and execution of capital projects in a food manufacturing facility. Employee should have a thorough understanding of federal and local regulations regarding environmental and food safety compliance. The Senior Project Engineer will work closely with the manufacturing team to identify opportunities to improve processes and/or equipment and be able to make recommendations regarding equipment condition and complete equipment assessments. In addition, the Senior Project Engineer will supervise and execute projects, establish and meet project budgets, schedule project activity, supervise new project start-ups, and will coordinate all phases of projects with all departments.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Completes engineering projects by organizing and controlling all aspects
• Assists in identifying cost savings and essential replacement projects for the facility 5-year Capital Plan 
• Develops project objectives by reviewing project business plans and identifying success criteria
• Determines project responsibilities by identifying project phases and elements, assigning personnel to phases and elements, and reviewing bids from contractors
• Determines equipment and process specifications by studying product design, customer requirements, and performance standards, completes technical studies, prepares cost estimates for the completion of the project Capital Expenditure Form (CEF) and Project Plan
• Coordinates with Purchasing for equipment and services and develops technical specifications and bid packages in a User Requirements Specifications (URS)
• Manages the implementation of projects within the agreed budget and timeline and delivering the claimed return on investment and in compliance with engineering standards
• Defines the basic investment needs to ensure that the business continues to operate effectively including the replacement of aged or obsolete equipment
• Serves as a back-up to the engineering director to monitor the operations of the department
• Confirms equipment and process performance by designing and conducting validation tests
• Determines project schedule by developing the project plan and sequencing project phases in coordination with operations
• Maintains project schedule by monitoring project progress, coordinating activities, and resolving problems
• Controls the project plan by reviewing design, specifications, and schedule changes, and recommends actions
• Controls project costs by approving expenditures, drafting detailed scope of work documents, and administering contractor contracts
• Actively participates in Root Cause Analysis discussions and implement solutions identified
• Prepares project status reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends and recommending actions 
• Maintains safe and clean working environment for contractors by enforcing procedures, rules, and regulations
• Works with site stakeholders to ensure employee development and training needs are identified and addressed before system commissioning
• Provides preventative maintenance plans, project drawings and manuals, and updated schematics to maintenance at the time of project closure in addition to preparing asset lists and project closure forms
• Conducts work studies and utilizes data and statistical analysis to identify improvement opportunities and to establish investment justifications
• Attends trade exhibitions and similar events to maintain market knowledge and to identify new or alternative ideas/solutions
• Functions as a technical resource to operations as needed
• Develops and oversees the plant Control Systems Strategy which will be key to maintaining a consistent and standardized approach to electrical and control components. He/she will facilitate the automation of processes, capture the historical data, determine the method for the exchange and visibility of information using the plant operating systems. 

Requirements

Required Education and Experience

- College graduate with relevant professional qualifications which would include a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Process Engineering or other related Science/Food Science subjects. 

- Effective project manager with 5 or more years of Engineering and/or maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment preferably with multi-site exposure; bilingual Spanish speaking is desirable. 

Skills 

• Pertinent work experience with food manufacturing environments and sanitary standards that are required for food processors
• Maintains product and company reputation by complying with federal and state regulations
• Strong Project Management experience and excellent organizational and time-management skills 
• Ability to manage projects with budgets up to $10MM
• Well-developed people skills with the ability to engage and promote individual involvement 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to facilitate project development, justification, and implementation 
• Detailed and logical thinker who can analyze and evaluate information to develop alternative solutions technical assignments with minimal supervision
• Detailed and logical thinker who can analyze and evaluate information to develop alternative solutionsx technical assignments with minimal supervision
• Candidate must be proficient with a range of Microsoft Office tools including: Outlook, Project and Excel spreadsheet. The ideal candidate will have experience in computer aided drafting (CAD) software and the development of detailed project drawings.

· Essential Requirements – Engineering Analysis, Engineering Design Skills, Project Management, Manufacturing Methods and Procedures, Process Control, Process Improvement, Technical Understanding, Technical Writing, Documentation Skills, Safety Management, Supervision of contractors and/or other engineers or engineering interns, CAD drafting.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment approximately 60% of the time. The balance of the time will involve work on the plant floor in scoping, evaluating, and managing engineering projects and/or providing technical support to operations. Buildings and grounds are part of the working environment including roofs, silos, warehouse, and outdoor areas. 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds. 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During project execution this position may require overtime and weekend work.

Travel

The average/expected percentage of travel is 10% for training, trade shows, equipment factory acceptance trials, and visits to the other PGP location.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications or Certifications

The candidate will need to be able to complete an OSHA 30-hour certification in General Industrial safety and compliance.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Benefits:

- Health/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

- Health Savings Account (HSA)

- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

- 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match

- Paid Time Off

- Sick leave

- 10 paid holidays

- Tuition Reimbursement

- Employee Assistance Program

COVID-19 considerations 

Wearing a mask is required, temperature checks and COVID-19 screening questions are given to employees and visitors when entering the building. Social distancing is enforced, and our facility is going through enhanced sanitation procedures.