Process Engineer

Process Engineer

Under the direction of the Plant Manager, the Process Engineer is responsible for all aspects of Vermont Creamery's strategic and tactical engineering plans, supporting the Company's strategic objectives through a focus on the most cost-effective methods of manufacturing dairy products to enhance profitability, market position, and growth.

The engineer provides leadership and tactical engineering expertise to the overall plant. The Process Engineer works collaboratively with the Vermont Creamery Operations, Quality, Logistics, and Safety teams to deliver value for all departments and employees. This position requires a strong leadership presence and will provide specific concentration on reducing operating costs, process capacity constraints, product losses, and product quality variation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Optimize existing manufacturing processes to increase efficiency and cost effectiveness.
• Develop and implement Functional Descriptions and Process Control strategies that improve results and reduce variability.
• Identify and address opportunities for yield improvement, waste reduction, throughput enhancement, and improved process control and consistency.
• Lead troubleshooting of persistent, complex operational issues. Communicate findings plans to other departments in clear, concise presentations.
• Ensure best-practice solutions are implemented across all areas of facility.
• Collaborate with other SMEs to provide technical training material to Manufacturing and other departments.
• Engage with R&D team on new product development, experimental design, and plant trials. Work closely with Project Engineering on final process design and commercialization.
• Engage with Q.A. team on the evaluation and continuous improvement of in-process and finished product analytical instrumentation.
• Utilizes focused improvement methodologies to eliminate top machine related losses (breakdowns and minor stoppages) through root cause analysis and corrective action improvements.
• Oversees proper implementation and installment of new company assets.
• Diagnoses problems and manages project plans, with an aptitude for adapting to operational needs.
• Coordinates specialists from company vendors for procurement of fixtures, fittings, or components.
• Acts as liaison and controls outside contractors, as may be required, to ensure timely completion of projects and repairs.
• Recommends enhancements to line performance to support future growth of organization.
• Ensures regulatory compliance with all safety, quality, and sanitation practices.
• Provides support and documentation of the MOC (Management of Change) Process.
• Manages engineering budget, including individual project budgets.
• Handles multiple demands and balances competing priorities. Assists others in prioritization of duties.
• Work with Maintenance team to ensure critical processes, control points, and measurements are properly maintained for consistent performance.
• Active participation and ownership in your training and development program and associated activities, classes, and events, which will be held before, during, after shifts and during scheduled days off.
• Help coach and train teammates and participate in on-the-job, buddy training.
• Place high priority on food safety and sanitation by understanding and executing Land O Lakes food safety and sanitation policies and procedures.
• Hold self and others accountable to Land OLakes food safety & sanitation guidelines and policies by communicating any food safety incident, observation, or opportunity to your leadership team or teammates.
• Participate in food safety and sanitation root cause analysis and improvement activities when required.
• Always prioritize safety above all other job duties by having a safety-first approach.
• Promote Company Culture.
• Achieve common business goals through cooperative alignment with all departments.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business or Engineering Fields or in lieu of degree four years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3 years of experience in Food, Beverage, or Pharmaceutical Manufacturing. Will also entertain CPG engineering, continuous improvement, or related field.
• Ability to complete mass balances and collect and analyze production data using statistical techniques.
• Demonstrated history of driving manufacturing process continuous improvement/efficiencies.
• Solid project management skills with proven results handling multiple assignments. Must be precise, accurate, and well-organized.

Competencies Skills Required:

• Ability to effectively summarize and present technical information to a variety of audiences.
• Must be able to perform in a demanding, fast-paced environment.
• Good mathematical (statistical skills highly desired), problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency with computer systems, personal computers, and spreadsheet software (Microsoft Office, etc.).
• Demonstrated success delivering process improvement initiatives.
• Ability to lead and influence a cross-functional team as well, motivate others to deliver results.

Education - Experience Preferred:

• Lean & Six Sigma training or certification, with the ability to use the Six Sigma methodologies, tools, and statistical software preferred.
• Experience working in FDA regulated environment is preferred.
• Dairy Manufacturing/Procession.

Physical Demands:

(NOTE: the physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.) While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms, talk and hear, and taste and smell. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving, mechanical parts. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and risk of electrical shock. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places, and is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme heat, extreme cold, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Salary Range: $91,120 - $136,680

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.:

Be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

Benefits for most full-time roles include medical, dental, vision, PTO, life & disability insurance, education assistance, a 401k, and a variety of well-being resources. Most part-time employees are eligible for prorated PTO, holiday pay, employee development programs, prorated education assistance, and a 401(k).

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Neither Land OLakes nor its search firms will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.

Salary : $91,120 - $136,680