Job Description

Process Engineer - Wilmington, MA

Position Overview:
The  Process Engineer will develop process and equipment solutions necessary to manufacture new products as required by customers; lead the front end Engineering studies of new concepts to determine project feasibility, and when appropriate, develop project scoping to establish and fund new projects; manage and implement projects that focus on new business initiatives, process improvements and infrastructure updates; provide technical assistance to operations; and perform process Engineering in support of process and packaging improvements, new products and line extensions.

The Process Engineer will also lead the identification of process improvement and automation opportunities in our manufacturing processes and will lead the execution of approved savings projects for the Wilmington location.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Process Engineering:

• Lead the design, creation and implementation of automated and semi-automated production and packaging lines for various products and packaging formats for the Wilmington plant locations.
• Assist in the development of process and equipment solutions necessary to execute new product initiatives. While working as part of a collaborative team, the Process Engineer will lead the definition of scope, manufacturing capabilities and capital investment required to implement projects that meet customer requirements. 
• Assist in the process and packaging equipment selection and/or design and corresponding facility and utilities scope definition required to manufacture new products and/or optimize existing products.
• Continually learn and research new technologies that can be applied to further our business objectives.

Project Management and Execution:

• Manage all aspects of assigned projects, including scope definition, cost estimation, cost trending and tracking, project schedule development and management, change control, integration, commissioning, and process qualification.
• Assist in the development of Engineering documentation, such as equipment specifications, process flow diagrams, facility and equipment layouts.
• Manage equipment vendors and contractors as needed during project execution.

Operations Technical Support:

• Provide troubleshooting, problem analysis and technical support to the plants as needed for key mechanical / process technologies used in production lines.
• Assist plant maintenance team with development of maintenance plans for new equipment delivered to the site.

NOTE:  This list presents only the principal duties of the position and is not intended to be comprehensive. The duties and responsibilities listed above may be changed or supplemented at any time in accordance with business needs and conditions.

The ideal candidate will have the following:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with focus on Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or Chemical Engineering (or other related degree). 
• 3 years Engineering experience in food or CPG manufacturing industry (preferred).
• Experience in frozen food manufacturing is a plus. 
• Experience in breaded / battered / fried food manufacturing is a plus.
• Must be at least 18 years of age or older.

Competencies and Skills:

• Able to work cooperatively and effectively with a multidisciplinary technical team.
• Strong leadership skills, with prior experience having lead project teams.
• Ability to communicate effectively and seek critical feedback from operations personnel tasked with interacting daily with the systems designed and/or implemented by the Engineering team.
• Must be a highly motivated self-starter.
• Superior problem-solving skills, root cause analysis and willingness to take a hands-on approach to troubleshooting.
• Able to effectively lead contractors on site or remotely to safely complete critical project tasks on time and on budget while meeting all aspects of the specified project scope of work.
• Project management skills (planning, scheduling, and project execution).
• Strong ability to design manufacturing processes, including equipment selection, facility design and system integration.
• Basic understanding of refrigeration systems (Ammonia and Freon based).
• Proficient with MS Office suite, MS Project and AutoCAD.
• Will be expected to learn and understand Good Manufacturing Practices for food processing facilities and how to apply them while completing a project while facility is in production.

Work Environment and Personal Protective Equipment:

• Will work in a food production manufacturing environment. In many instances production equipment is in refrigerated and frozen environments as dictated by Food Safety requirements.
• While working in manufacturing plants, will need to wear Personal Protective Equipment (hearing protection, safety glasses, steel-toe boots, hard hats when in construction zones).

Physical Demands:

• Must be willing to work altered schedules / overtime as needed to support the business in a continuous production manufacturing environment.
• Must be able to navigate a manufacturing environment where PPE is required and where temperatures may fall outside of comfortable ranges.

NOTE:  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.