Project Engineer

Oversee the capital investments relating to the company's fixed assets with a cross-functional team of salaried and hourly stakeholders. This could involve the relocation and optimizing of the existing fixed asset base and/or the purchase of new fixed assets. It may extend from the initial conceptual studies through to project closeout.



Requirements
Degree in Engineering Field (Mechanical/Process/Chemical/Electrical Engineering) plus a minimum of 1-3 years of significant experience and achievement in a technical field with a project engineering background. An equivalent combination of education and engineering hands-on work will be considered.
• Must be able to work onsite in Waverly, IA and be available for occasional travel to other locations for factory acceptance testing (FAT) and/or equipment election (up to 5%).
• Project Management and Process Engineering experience withing the food & dairy, cosmetic, pharmaceutical or consumer products industry is a plus.
• Supervisory experience in managing internal and external project team members or equivalent.
• Strong experience in facilitating change in a manufacturing environment is critical.



Skills
• Strong technical, managerial and leadership skills
• Project Engineering/Management
• Plant design and construction
• Equipment and construction purchasing contracts
• Permitting requirements
• In-depth knowledge of dry powder processing and packaging plants and technologies or similar industries
• Hygienic and sanitary design and engineering
• 3A standards
• Powder handling
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for food safety and equipment
• Communication, facilitation and networking
• TPM: AM and/or EM Pillar experience
• Understanding of financial analysis and relevant business drivers
• CAPEX budgeting and preparation
• MS Office, MS Project, MS Excel, Basic AutoCad, Visio
• Capital Investment Approval and Tracking (NIMT) tool



Functional Responsibilities
• Ensure zero tolerance for unsafe situations in all activities and behavior throughout the project
• Ensure ethical conduct on behalf of the community, consumer, company, and the engineering profession are adhered to and all dealings are handled in a fair and competitive manner.
• Support and encourage clear and open communication between the team members and related stakeholders
• Encourage all team members to direct their efforts towards a "low cost, highly efficient" operation which meets the business needs. To take the lead in driving Good Hygienic Engineering (NGHE), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and safety standards.
• Ensure that the team is following the requirements of the Quality System (NQS) and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), OSHA, and other guidelines.
• Encourage continuous improvement, networking and sharing information - a key pillar of the engineering culture.
• Ensure that technological and proprietary know-how are in place, are rigorously managed, and respected



Specific responsibilities relating to the conceptual study phase (feasibility & approval):
• Ensure that all projects are sustainable and designed for the long term.
• Thoroughly review - and possibly challenge - the supporting documentation provided by other team members or functions.
• Prepare the project for approval in accordance with the Guidelines for Capital Investment.

Specific responsibilities relating to the design phase:
• Ensure that all assets are well designed (i.e. plant layout, equipment selection etc.) and fit the business purpose through applying new technologies, proven principles, thorough design reviews and basic science.
• Support or manage all official Value Engineering Analysis (VEA) studies, and ensure a VEA approach is used in order to find optimal solutions.
• Ensure that the design is directed towards a low cost, highly efficient and flexible operation keeping total cost of operation in mind when selecting equipment and suppliers, while at the same time looking for the latest in proven technology to advance competitive advantage.
• Check the validity of all mandatory safety, environment, energy, line efficiency and performance reports in respect to engineering. Be proactive in investigating any issues relating to non-compliance, major breakdowns and non-conformance with key performance indicators.
• Ensure the correct SME (Subject Matter Experts) are involved in all 30%, 60%. 90% design reviews.

Specific responsibilities relating to the implementation phase:
• Ensure safe work sites at all times and installations that are easy to operate, clean and maintain. Guarantee - after commissioning - the safe, consistent manufacture/distribution of quality products.
• Ensure that - when working with external resources - the scope, deliverables, performance and milestones are clearly detailed and agreed up front.
• Utilize basic project management tools (MS Project, SAP-PS, AMM, FMEA, What-if Analysis, etc.) to ensure successful vertical start-ups.
• Ensure that a progress report is prepared for all projects on a monthly basis to include updated EST Estimate To Complete status.
• Ensure compliance with business principles especially when dealing with procuring equipment and services, and management of the ongoing contracts.

Specific responsibilities relating to the start-up/close out phase (commissioning/final report):
• Ensure that the project scope is achieved within the agreed cost and timing.
• Ensure that the operators, mechanics, electricians etc. are effectively trained and that the transfer of the equipment to the client is both smooth and efficient. This includes all the supporting documentation from the OSL team that will be required by the Factory to operate and maintain the plant. e.g. operating instructions, equipment manuals, plant layouts, maintenance instructions, spare parts listing, etc.
• Support the operation of the process or plant until required deliverables are achieved.
• Manage the allocation of all expenditures to clearly defined assets and the entry into the assets register.
• Complete the project file and ensure that it is handed over to the client. Ensure spare parts are properly set up by factory and PM's are implemented for all new/modified equipment.
• Complete a final report on all projects and ensure that this is circulated to the key stakeholders.