Manufacturing Process Engineer

SUMMARY: This position is responsible for the development and implementation of capital and non-capital initiatives intended to drive manufacturing performance improvement, create capacity and/or capability supporting new and existing products. These functions will be accomplished while working with cross-functional internal teams, suppliers, customers and consultants. This position supports the Faribault, MN and Tucson, AZ plants.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

· Design and plan equipment layout.

· Evaluate processes and equipment to ensure safe and efficient production methods.

· Maintain documentation of processes via process flow diagrams (PFD’s) and process and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID’s).

· Develop and review Heat and Mass Balances, Utility Consumption, Equipment and Installation Specifications.

· Conduct research to develop new and improved processes for manufacturing.

· Troubleshoot problems associated with manufacturing processes.

· Conduct tests and monitor the process performance throughout production.

· Support capital project development and implementation.

· Monitor data and report deviations from existing standards.

· Manage capital projects and drive change management for all system modifications necessary for project success.

· Provide direction to outside vendors and manage other resources on projects.

· Manage project budget, including reconciling all invoicing against services rendered.

· Lead and coordinate project execution and startups.

· Prepare charts, graphs, and diagrams to illustrate workflow, routing, floor layouts, material handling, and machine utilization.

· Support cost modeling providing projected efficiencies and staffing requirements for new products.

· Responsible for change management in manufacturing processes for lines 1-6.

· Support R&D startups, new products, and reformulations.

· Coordinate and provide training to develop and improve knowledge and skills of affected personnel.

· Evaluate data and write reports to validate or indicate deviations from existing standards.

· Support daily production meetings by helping analyze data and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

· Guide development of centerlines for all products and lines.

· Identify opportunities for performance improvement using continuous improvement tools and processes to identify and eliminate manufacturing losses.

· Identify capacity constraints (bottlenecks) and drive cross functional teams to address the opportunity.

· Partner with Quality Assurance, executing and supporting all Quality programs that ensure the production of Safe, Quality Foods.

· Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

· Bachelor’s of Science degree or equivalent in Chemical Engineering, Engineering, or related field together with related experience.

· Understands lean manufacturing and continuous improvement philosophies and principles

Experience:

· Minimum of 5 years of previous experience in manufacturing in a food production facility or other FDA/ USDA facility.

· Previous experience in all aspects of project management including but not limited to: quotes, budgeting, cost tracking, scheduling, contractor management, installation and start up.

Skills:

· Strong interpersonal skills to effectively interact with all internal functions, customers, and suppliers.

· Strong execution skills and the ability to provide leadership and vision in developing and sustaining the strategic goals for operations and engineering.

· Demonstrated leadership, good teamwork and collaboration skills required.

· Ability to troubleshoot manufacturing processes to eliminate downtime and ensure product quality attributes.

· Experience designing and implementing testing protocol is required.

· Experience working with SQF (Safe Quality Foods) is beneficial.

· Understanding product sensory attributes and food safety.

· Experience in thermal processing and canning is beneficial.

RELATIONSHIPS:

· Reports to the Engineering Manager.

· Maintain a strong working relationship with Engineering, Manufacturing support functions, Research & Development and Continuous Improvement.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, reach, stretch, stoop, bend, use hands and fingers and climb stairs. This job requires the employee to be able to read, write and communicate orally in English. The employee must be able to hear and have color vision.

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.