Based in Mount Prospect, IL, Mizkan America is a subsidiary of the Mizkan Group, a global, family-owned company that has been Bringing Flavor to Life™ for almost 220 years. As one of the leading makers of vinegars, condiments and sauces in the United States, Mizkan America maintains 12 manufacturing facilities that serve the retail, foodservice, specialty-Asian and food-ingredient trade channels. We are committed to continuously challenging the status quo and delivering only the finest products for our customers. Our leadership seeks out, embraces, and implements ideas for improvement from all its employees. Transparency and accountability are two key factors that drive our company’s overall management approach.
We are looking for people who are seeking to deliver their best so that we can deliver ours. Above all, we’re dedicated to maximizing the potential of our greatest assets—our team members. That’s reflected in our ongoing commitment to recruit, develop, reward, and retain our talented, multicultural workforce. We hope to see you as part of our team’s future success!
COMMENTS: The Project Engineer will work at the Mizkan America, Inc. sauce (Ragu) plant in Owensboro, Kentucky. The plant is a high speed processing and packaging facility which produces sauces for both the Ragú and Bertolli pasta sauce brands. This position will report to the Senior Engineering Manager. This job description reflects assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
SUMMARY: The Project Engineer is responsible for capital projects at the Owensboro factory. He/She generates capital project submissions, manages implementation of approved projects, and services other plant engineering needs with a focus on safety, quality and cost. The Project Engineer supports utilities, processing, and packaging operations. Success in this role requires an engineering degree and skills in root cause analysis, problem resolution, and continuous improvement. Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, are also required for success.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Study factory operations and identify opportunities to cost-effectively improve capacity, quality, efficiency, and/or sustainability in Owensboro.
• Identify and/or assist with safety improvements in Owensboro.
• Contribute to annual capital planning as well as longer term plans for Owensboro.
• Develop scopes of work that deliver identified opportunities. Requires working cross-functionally with all plant departments to ensure expectations are clear.
• Design solutions for scoped projects, possibly working with external resources, ensuring that designs are capable of delivering the expected results.
• Create capital requests for designed solutions including quotations for all elements of the work.
• Safely execute approved capital requests. Requires generation of purchase orders, scheduling the work, and supervising internal and external resources engaged to perform the project work.
• Monitor and control the execution of projects. Deliver regular status updates covering safety, timing, budget, and resources.
• Periodically assist Owensboro plant leadership as requested to solve issues and/or opportunities.
• Periodically assist the Mizkan America engineering community outside of Owensboro as requested.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Engineering degree(s) required. Chemical, Electrical, and/or Mechanical.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) desired but not required.
• Experience delivering projects in factory production environments is required. Food plant experience is desired but not required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with all associates in the plant.
• High curiosity regarding factory operations and food production.
• Ability to travel within the United States and internationally.
• Prepared to travel periodically but not regularly.
• Must be able to work with and manage consultants and contractors.
• Must have a good understanding of 3-Phase electrical power distribution, motor controls, compressed air and steam generation and their distribution systems.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects, priorities and meet deadlines.
• High level of proficiency with AutoCAD, MS Project and Microsoft Office Suites (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is essential.
• Creative, flexible, and innovative team player.
• Strong organizational, planning, and analytical skills.
• Must be motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work enthusiastically with constantly changing priorities.