Project Manager, Process Engineering

Accountability Objective:

Working with broadly defined requirements, this professional corporate-level position is accountable for providing technical leadership to and support of the manufacturing operations and production requirements at any of the existing plants within this Company as well as future corporate acquisitions. This position reports to and gets direction from the Optimization Manager, with additional direction from Department and Facility Managers, and Corporate Vice Presidents.

Essential Duties and Accountabilities

1. Accountable for monitoring the performance of assigned processes within the company and for investigating and resolving problems and issues inhibiting the performance of manufacturing processes and products.

2. Accountable for supporting Technology and Marketing in the development and scale-up implementation of processes for new products, product extensions, and changes to existing products.

3. Accountable for investigating and developing new technologies to improve and enhance the performance, safety and reliability Company manufacturing processes.

4. Accountable for identifying, developing, and implementing profit enhancement opportunities within Company and other corporate entities.

5. Accountable for overall leadership and support of capital improvement projects including the development of project requirements, project justification, equipment flow sheets and process line layouts. Also accountable for new equipment startup, operator training, written operating procedures and specifications, and process conformance to justification criteria.

6. Manage interpersonal relationships with a high degree of skill and diplomacy providing both team leadership and coordination of a highly diverse group of personnel to achieve a common goal. Demonstrates a daily commitment to the Continuous Improvement Process and practices the “Corporate Principles.”

Qualifications:

Education and/or Experience:

BS in an appropriate Engineering discipline (Chemical, Mechanical, Agricultural) or equivalent. At least 6 years experience in process and project work. Requires “hands-on” experience with manufacturing operations, production and/or packaging machinery, project installations and startups, and/or continuous improvement of manufacturing lines. Experience with Lean manufacturing principles including setup reduction, root cause analysis, pull systems and value stream mapping preferred.

Language Skills:

Strong verbal and written communications skills. Must interface and communicate with management and customers at all levels. Effective team-building and strong interpersonal skills working with people from different functions.

Reasoning Ability:

Intellectual ability to find opportunity in problems, to determine influential factors among multiple variables, and to adapt successes from other areas of work. Ability to break down assignments into specific tasks for prioritization and execution. Working knowledge of personal computers and statistical testing methods. Knowledge of economic analysis and statistical process control.

Computer Skills:

Proficiency in use of personal computers with basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications. Knowledge and experience with AutoCAD is a plus. Must be capable of inputting and analyzing data in spreadsheet form.

Physical Demands:

Must be able to travel within the Company facilities and to outside materials and/or equipment vendors as requested. Local travel at 50% to 75%; distance travel at 15% to 25% but may be higher for short periods.

Work Environment:

Work is conducted in the office at the Corporate facility and in the plant and packaging areas within all Company facilities. Conditions range from mild to severe.