Heartland Food Products Group is a dynamic, fast-growing organization committed to making a positive impact in the world. We are passionate about building brands and foster a results-driven culture that provides opportunities to rapidly learn and develop your career. Heartland Food Products Group makes SPLENDA® Brand Sweeteners, as well as JAVA HOUSE® Cold Brew Coffee and other product lines. SPLENDA® is the #1 recommended sweetener brand among healthcare professionals and includes a broad portfolio — the iconic original SPLENDA® product line, SPLENDA® Diabetes Care Shakes, SPLENDA® Stevia, SPLENDA® Zero liquid, SPLENDA® Monk Fruit, and SPLENDA® Allulose.

The Sr. Principal Engineer is the principal technical point of reference for Stevia Processing at Lake Panasoffkee Farm, Archer Farm, and Liquids Manufacturing at our Indianapolis facility. The Sr. Principal Engineer provides technical oversight for Stevia and Aseptic Process systems that drives improvement in overall equipment effectiveness and operational excellence. Supports commercialization of new products and improvements to existing commercial manufacturing processes through technical evaluation, technology assessments, and assistance in capital project execution when needed. Identifies, analyzes and solves Stevia and Aseptic Processing problems by recommending, evaluating and executing alternative cost-effective solutions that cover a variety of situations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Senior level engineer demonstrating technical expertise, preferably with liquid processing, separators, evaporation techniques, spray drying, distillation and/or membrane filtration in the food/pharma/nutrition industries.
• Responsible for leading Engineering tasks within the organization and reporting project updates to senior management.
• Analyze production processes, schedules, methods and other data and then provide management with reports containing the data and statistics to enable management to better understand future requirements needed for the manufacturing process.
• Develop and lead Engineers to reduce waste, improve process capability, process reliability, increase OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), improve quality and manage capacity as required.
• Improve, modify and upgrade processes to reduce costs and enhance quality to meet customer satisfaction. Identify methods to reduce variation in the processes.
• Evaluate quality control processes and make recommendations for improvements in quality control.
• Ensure manufacturing processes are in compliance with all government laws and regulations.
• Review and calculate labor, material and other production costs along with reviewing schedules and future production requirements to assist management in decision making.
• Analyze and plan workflow, equipment placement and space requirements to improve manufacturing efficiency.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance and repair services and make sure that manufacturer’s procedures and instructions are followed in order to keep production equipment operational.
• Assist in expansion of current processes to meet customer demand or improvement initiatives.
• Maintain effective communication with all persons involved with or affected by assigned responsibilities.
• Ensure that operating procedures comply with all company and regulatory agency requirements for safety or personnel, equipment, environment, and property. Provide technical support as needed for plant environmental programs.
• Understand applications in aseptic manufacturing, Utilities and GMP Utilities (CIP & SIP, etc.).
• An understanding of mechanical equipment used in a manufacturing environment (Pumps, motors, etc.).
• Ensure a safe working environment by following safety rules and helping improve the safety culture.
• Determine root causes of failures using statistical methods and recommend changes in designs, tolerances, or processing methods.
• Provide technical expertise or support related to manufacturing.
• Incorporate new methods and processes to improve existing operations.
• Troubleshoot new or existing product problems involving designs, materials, or processes.
• Review product designs for manufacturability or completeness.
• All other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• BS in Engineering required; Industrial, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum 6 years in Aseptic Processing.
• Must be expert distillation, evaporation, and crystallization.
• Experience managing people and projects preferred.
• Experience in a food grade environment (FDA, GMP’s, HACCP) with high speed packaging equipment preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must be able to physically perform the functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions
• Must be able to work seated using a computer and phone for long periods of time.
• Must be able to work extended hours, such as daily overtime and an occasional weekend
• Must possess visual acuity to document company records
• Continuous walking throughout plant and distribution center.
• Lifting up to 40 pounds

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