Project Engineer

About Us

Wells Enterprises, Inc. is the largest privately held ice cream manufacturer in the United States. Founded in 1913 by Fred H. Wells and run by the Wells family for generations, the company is an independent operating company of the Ferrero Group, one of the global leaders in sweet, packaged foods.

Wells produces more than 200 million gallons of ice cream per year and distributes products in all 50 states. Wells manufactures its signature brand Blue Bunny®, lower-calorie Halo Top®, the iconic Bomb Pop®, and Blue Ribbon Classics®.

Wells employs nearly 4,000 ice cream aficionados across the country. The company is headquartered in Le Mars, Iowa, where Wells has made Le Mars the “Ice Cream Capital of the World” as the largest manufacturer of ice cream in one location. Wells operates two manufacturing plants in Le Mars, Iowa, a manufacturing plant in Dunkirk, New York, and a manufacturing facility in Henderson, Nevada. Learn more at www.wellsenterprisesinc.com.

Project Engineer

The Project Engineer manages medium to large budget/complexity projects directly and is a resource to the customer for complex technical issues. On large/complex projects, supports project manager on the project team, having overall responsibility for the project technical success.

What You'll Get To Do

• Project Development / Planning - Leads development of detailed and accurate charters and project plans with project team. Leads internal teams to develop and validate the business case for assigned projects. Coordinates effective RFP's and contracts. Executes objective and complete feasibility studies. Challenges team members to optimize scope. Effectively assesses risk and develops risk management plans as needed. Effectively leverages MS Project to manage assigned projects. Avoids issues by ensuring that lessons learned from past projects are integrated into the project plan. Understands potential impacts on other areas of the business and adjusts the project scope as needed to provide most value to the company.
• Project Execution - Manages projects to budget and schedule using MS Project. Manages risk and potential scope changes, ensuring that they do not impact project success. Effectively leads internal resources as well as external contractors and vendors. Regularly and promptly communicates status of projects. Continually assesses project status and makes adjustments to address project gaps. Ensures all activities on the project are coordinated. Ensures all safety/regulatory commitments are met by project team members.
• Project Start-ups - Takes ownership of all start-up activities, working to ensure start-ups are executed to plan. Develops detailed start-up plans. Ensures Start-up curves and targets are developed with the project team's input and agreed upon by project owner. Ensures internal customers are engaged in the start-up phase and personnel impacted by the engineers' projects are properly trained and have proper documentation in place prior to start-up.
• Project Team Leadership - Clearly assigns roles and responsibilities to the project team. Works to drive accountability to assure follow through on project commitments. Has the responsibility to develop a qualified and committed project team. Regularly leverages SME's. Builds team functionality and ensures that team members are executing against engineering standards and specifications.
• Technical Liaison / Problem Solving - Manages broad and complex organizational issues to ensure standardization and consistency. Uses disciplined problem-solving techniques to correct issues. Troubleshoots & provides solutions on technical/performance issues. Collaborates with other areas of the company and/or equipment vendors, sub-contractors, or consultants to accomplish this. Is routinely sought out as a technical problem solver for the company.
• Standards and Specifications - Consistently uses and works to ensure company engineering standards and specifications are followed. For project specific documentation, develops detailed and accurate engineering documentation consistent with all internal guidelines. Works to improve and standardize internal processes and procedures and routinely recommends changes to internal documentation based on project lessons learned.
• Innovation & Improvement - Using a strong knowledge base of facility technology, develops and drives concepts for continuous improvement of system safety, maintainability, reliability, and efficiency. Works directly with internal groups, equipment manufacturers, and suppliers to research and develop new technology.

You'll Bring These Qualifications

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, other duties may be assigned by your supervisor, as dictated by business necessity.

• Bachelor's of Science in Engineering preferred.
• Seven years of manufacturing or discipline engineering related experience
• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies and project management processes as well as customer processes, discipline engineering particulars, and process improvement capabilities.
• Skilled in decision-making and crucial conversations.
• Must have advanced computer skills.
• Must have engineering calculations and analysis experience and great attention to detail.
• Also skilled in statistical analysis, root cause analysis, team building, coaching, and mentoring.
• Ability to work in both individual and team settings.
• Reports to Senior Manager, Engineering.

What We Offer

At Wells, we’re proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual incentive bonus based on Company performance. Learn more about our benefits here.

Wells Enterprises is an EEO/AA employer M/F/Vet/Dis