Process Engineer

Job Location: Robinson, IL - onsite

Position Summary:

The Hershey Company Robinson plant is a non-union facility producing products such as PayDay, Heath, Skor, Milk Duds, Whoppers, Reese’s Pieces, and Mounds & Almond Joy in a high-speed, complex manufacturing environment.

The Plant Process Engineer’s primary function is to ensure that the plant’s processing systems are fully capable and highly reliable to support the conversion of raw materials to finished, unpackaged product, while adhering to production schedules, OEE targets, food safety, and key quality attributes.

Responsibilities:

Process Systems Oversight:

• Provide oversight of all aspects of the processing systems at the Robinson plant
  
  

Process Systems Optimization:

• Provide strong technical leadership and support to plant operations and maintenance staff in troubleshooting, root cause analysis & countermeasures, and optimization of existing process systems.
  
  

Capital Project Management:

• Manage capital projects up to $7,000,000 to support asset renovation (restoration and modernization), increased capacity, or new production capability.
• Responsible for developing manufacturing feasibility assessments, capital cost estimates, functional user specifications, process system design (PFD’s, P&ID’s, GA’s, and Piping Isometrics), sourcing plans, equipment & construction bid packages, competitive bid analysis, equipment selection criteria, project schedules & timelines, operator & maintenance training, and project closure documentation.
  
  

Process Documentation:

• Ensure that plant drawings (PFD’s, P&ID’s, GA’s, Piping Isometrics, and Single Line Electrical) are accurate and up to date.
• Decommissioned assets are properly accounted for and disposed of.
• Maintenance CMMS is updated with new equipment numbers, PM’s, equipment manuals, and spare parts.
• Commissioning (IQ, OQ, GMP cleaning, and PQ) documentation and requirements are completed.
• Project validation and closure documentation is complete.
  
  

Travel Requirements:

• Quarterly domestic travel (approx. 3 days) and international travel (approx. 5 days) to conduct equipment reviews and factory assessment tests (FAT’s) at vendor locations. A company credit card will be provided to cover travel-related expenses.
  
  

Minimum Knowledge and Skills Requirements:

• A combination of knowledge, experience, and proficiencies in the food or pharmaceutical industries & process systems that are applicable to the Hershey manufacturing processes, construction practices, food safety standards, and government codes & regulations to provide best in class manufacturing practices and a competitive business advantage.
• A combination of knowledge and experience in design, specification, application, installation, commissioning, start-up and training for process related capital projects. Knowledge and experience should include PFD, P&ID, and GA development, GMP requirements, unit operations (batching, heat transfer, mass balance, ingredient and product transfer & conveyance, CIP process, temperature & pressure system controls, and utilities (steam, compressed air, HVAC, water, and electrical).
• Sound judgment providing technical analyses, developing alternatives & recommendations (cost estimates, feasibility studies, specifications, and interpretation of requirements). Understanding and proficiency in the development of engineering solutions with the ability to effectively communicate and build consensus in a cross-functional environment with increasingly complex and fast paced projects.
• Ability to communicate and develop relationships with OEM vendors, contractors, internal customers, and all levels of management within the Hershey Company.
• Ability to participate in cross-functional troubleshooting teams to diagnose root cause issues and provide countermeasures for resolution.
• Provide the appropriate level of mentoring and training to team members as well as our manufacturing customer base.
• Ability and willingness to work in a team environment with limited supervision.
• Strong leadership & interpersonal skills and demonstrated willingness to accept new & challenging assignments.
• Excellent oral & written communication skills and strong PC skills.
  
  

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Chemical / Mechanical / Industrial), Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology, and / or relevant engineering experience within The Hershey Company.
• Food or pharmaceutical experience
• Five (5) years of experience in a relevant process engineering field
  
  

Preferred Skills / Qualifications

• Practical knowledge and experience in the areas of process controls and high-speed packaging systems.
• PE certification in relevant discipline.
• PMP certification with experience using Microsoft Project to develop project Gantt charts.
• Experience with SAP-S4 and Clarity Project Portfolio Management (PPM) software.
• Lean Manufacturing, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and Six-Sigma methodologies.