Manufacturing Project Engineer

Overview

At Eagle Foods we are builders.  We are builders of brands, categories, and people.  Eagle Foods enjoys a rich heritage with brands that have proven category leadership for more than 150 years.  Eagle is a diversified food company producing and marketing sweetened condensed and evaporated milk, snacks and convenient meal solutions products.  As a company, Eagle Foods is passionate about fostering an entrepreneurial spirit that boldly builds better people and better brands while focusing on the positive impact our company, our products and our people have on the world.  Eagle Foods has a bold family of brands that consumers have come to rely on for decades, including Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk and Evaporated Milk, Magnolia® Sweetened Condensed Milk, PET® Milk, Popcorn Indiana, Cretors Popcorn, Helper and Suddenly Salad.  Eagle Foods products are marketed and distributed across all U.S. retail channels, including grocery stores, club stores and mass-merchandisers, as well as foodservice and export, U.S. military, and private label business.

Responsibilities

Job Description Summary

The Manufacturing Project Engineer is a plant employee whose primary function is to ensure that the Waukegan processing and packaging systems are fully operational and reliable as required to support the conversion of raw materials to finished foods while adhering to schedule, rate of production, and all quality specifications.  Additionally, the Project Engineer is responsible for managing Waukegan’s capital portfolio, budget, and managing and leading capacity improvement projects.  This role includes understanding Waukegan’s need for capacity expansion, the intended transformation and process flow for new items and identifying potential manufacturing solutions to improve throughput, support innovation or reduce cost.  It also includes evaluating and selecting assets to best meet the business needs, developing RFP documents for projects and equipment purchases, working with 3rd parties to develop SOW’s to design, cost and execute projects. This individual will also own the budgeting and capital request process and lead/coordinate Commissioning/Qualification/Verification (CQV) in our operations.

Essential Functions

• A combination of knowledge, experience, and proficiencies in process systems for the food or pharmaceutical industries applicable to Eagle Foods manufacturing processes, construction practices, standards, and codes to support manufacturing and provide a competitive business advantage.
• A combination of knowledge and experience in the design, specification, application, installation, startup and training of process and facility related capital projects. Knowledge and experience should include PFD and P&ID development, GMP’s, unit operations such as batching, heat exchange, mass balances, ingredient and product transfer and conveying, CIP, temperature and pressure control and utilities.
• Sound judgment providing technical analyses, developing alternatives/recommendations (cost estimates, feasibility, specifications, and interpretation of requirements) utilizing sound judgment, understanding and proficiency in the development of engineering solutions with the ability to effectively communicate and build consensus cross-functionally on increasingly complex and fast paced projects.
• Ability to leverage CI and Problem-Solving Tools in cross-functional teams to diagnose root cause issues and provide options for resolution.
• Ability to analyze information and convert related activities into a work plan.
• Ability to communicate and make recommendations.
• Ability to multi-task and help with a wide range of projects.
• Ability to manage workload in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
• Ability to coordinate and collaborate with cross functional teams.
• Ability to deal with confidential information.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and strong PC skills.

Qualifications

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Develop a deep understanding of our products, production platforms, asset base, process flow and transformations.
• Provide oversight for all aspects of the processing systems at our Waukegan plant. Work with the Maintenance Department to ensure that the correct asset reliability plans are in place for processing and packaging equipment in the plant. Work with the production departments to ensure that Process Operating Guides are accurate and up to date.
• Provide strong technical leadership and support to Plant Operational and Maintenance staff in troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and optimization of existing processing systems.
• Manage capital projects up to $2M in value for processing and facility improvement efforts. Responsible for developing manufacturing feasibility assessments, capital cost estimates, process system design, selecting equipment, preparing equipment and construction bid specifications, evaluating bids, overseeing installation and start-up of process equipment and systems, troubleshooting, and training of line supervisors, operators, and maintenance personnel.
• Support capital projects over $2M which are led by others when needed.
• Partner with Plant Manager to identify production capacity utilization constraints/limitations and where capacity or capability is or may be needed to support business growth, financial optimization, or new product innovation.
• Engage and manage 3rd party vendors to identify manufacturing solutions, test manufacturing solutions, complete engineering and cost estimates that are appropriate for the project stage (feasibility studies, definition, design), manage construction and installation and supporting CQV and start ups.
• Collaborate with manufacturing personnel and cross-functional teams to execute capital projects, commercialize new products, and/or processes.
• Write reports and effectively communicate results to the project team and stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate and complete records.
• Ensure that plant PFD’s and P& ID’s are accurate and up to date.

Eagle Foods will provide reasonable accommodation to allow an employee to perform the essential functions of the job.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• BS in Engineering required; Mechanical or Chemical Engineering preferred. Advanced degrees (MS) are desired and beneficial.
• 2 years of applicable experience required, 5 desired (Engineering Project Management).  
• Relevant certifications (Example: PE, PMP) are a plus, but not required.
• Controls and Packaging equipment knowledge / experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects independently.
• Flexibility to handle and manage both long-term development projects and short-term troubleshooting needs.
• Ability to work through and solve complex problems.
• Strong computer and communication skills, both written and oral.

Additional Information

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing tasks and responsibilities of the job.

The employee works in a plant environment at an Eagle manufacturing facility.

Protective Equipment: When in our manufacturing facilities, employees must wear personal protective equipment, as required, which could include an assigned work uniform, hair and beard net, safety glasses, designated shoes, and hearing protection.

Additional equipment may be required to follow all GMP and safety rules and procedures by working safely and ensuring the safety of others.