Process Engineer

Short Intro and About the Job

At Danone, manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams.

The Process Engineer is responsible for the equipment improvement, standardization, technical training, and problem solving. The role of the Process Engineer is to eliminate process losses on equipment or areas and drive standards and problem solving.


Job Summary

At Danone, Manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams. We are currently looking to hire a Process Engineer based in Mt. Crawford, Virginia !


Key Responsibilities

As a key member of our team, you will play an important role in driving our mission forward. The following responsibilities outline the core expectations and contributions for this position:

• Serve as backup to the Line Leader and lead Daily Direction Setting (DDS) process when Line Leader is unavailable
• Identify, prioritize, and eliminate process losses (lead discussion on losses and Top 3 Plan for the month in weekly DDS)
• Provide feedback to design (materials & product initiatives) and lead smart standardization deployment
• Define the equipment standards
• Direct and coach the change management & validation processes
• Lead, build and coach the capability of process failures technical troubleshooting
• Lead and coach process benchmarking & reapplication
• Collaborate with Line Leader and line team (frontline workers) to develop new standards
• Design, implement and maintain systems to collect and analyze data for critical product and process parameters to identify process losses
• Collaborate with line management to prioritize improvement opportunities
• Eliminate or reduce (prioritized) losses through process or work system changes
• Participate in the daily direction-setting process - report results, flag issues and request resources
• Own critical Daily Management Systems (DMS)
• Use Reliability Engineering tools to drive center lining and loss elimination
• Standardize equipment and work processes
• Own the Change Management (CM) system for a designated process
• Update process control strategies and operating procedures as changes occur
• Share and reapply learning across processes, modules, and plants
• Prepare and give training on process/equipment changes
• Develop self through participating in corporate and external training
• Participate in planned stops and changeovers on the line as needed
• Standardize and improve changeovers and Clean In Place (CIP) activities
• Spend 60-80% of time on the floor
• Become a technical expert for a designated process
• Train and become proficient on all basic line team roles
• Coach and collaborate with the line teams and site and regional equipment or process owners
• Delivers on SQCDMN daily/weekly/monthly/yearly goals and objectives through individual and team efforts
• Ensures adherence to safety standards and regulations (WISE) to ensure a safe working environment
• Other duties as assigned

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs and ladders, balance; stoop, kneel or crouch; talk and hear. Occasionally required to lift and / or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment :

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and may be exposed to loud noises in the plant. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to extreme cold, risk of electrical shock and vibration.
• Work schedules could include nights, weekends and/or holidays to provide the ability to support a 24/7 manufacturing environment as business needs dictate.

Engagement in our Integrated Work Systems

Ensure adherence to plant standards and procedures (including but not limited to GMP, AIB, FDA, IWS, Quality, Safety, Finance, ISO, HOPE, Danone Behaviors, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE). As a fundamental piece of the organization, your responsibility is to participate and own the implementation and deployment of IWS system and its pillars (Leadership foundation, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE; Autonomous Maintenance; planned Maintenance; Focused Improvement; Education and Training; Environmental, Health and Safety; Quality; Organization; Supply Network; Early Equipment Management) with the objective of owning your space, owning your performance (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Mobilization, Nature) and owning your continuous improvement.


Compensation & Benefits:

The salary range for this position is: $70K-$95K per year Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options.


About You

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of education, experience, and skills that enable them to excel in this position. The following qualifications outline what we're looking for, including both required and preferred criteria:

Education & Experience:

• High School Diploma/GED required
• 4-year engineering degree preferred
• Or 3-5 years' experience in manufacturing with demonstrated technical aptitude and leadership capability

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Fundamental skills in influencing and persuasion
• Strong interpersonal skills associated with developing trusting relationships
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to prioritize and multitask
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and SAP
• Ability to work in a fluid environment
• Ability to identify problems, draw conclusions, and make recommended solutions
• Ability to be self-directed with little supervision
• Ability to adjust schedule to support 24/7 Manufacturing Operation, may include working overtime, graveyard shift and/or weekends as needed.

About Us, We offer and What's next

Danone U.S. is part of Danone North America, a purpose-driven company and an industry leader in the food and beverage category. You'll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world. Our strong portfolio of brands includes: Activia®, DanActive®, Danimals®, Dannon®, evian®, Follow Your Heart®, Happy Family® Organics, International Delight®, Light + Fit®, Nutricia ®, Oikos®, Silk®, So Delicious® Dairy Free, STōK® Cold Brew Coffee ®, Too Good & Co™, and YoCrunch®.


With approximately 5,000 employees and 13 production locations across the U.S., Danone North America's mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible.


You'll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps™ in the world , working to make sure our company creates real value for people and the planet. Come join our movement for a healthier world: One Planet. One Health BY YOU.

Danone North America is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. It is our policy to give equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to legally protected characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state/provincial and/or local law. For our EEO policy statement and your EEO rights under law click here.

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