Associate, Continuous Improvement Engineer

Continuous Improvement Engineer

Location: Bedford Park, IL. (Argo Plant)

Reports to: Manager IPS

Workplace type: On-Site/Hybrid

As a Continuous Improvement Engineer, you will be part of a great team of Operations Excellence/Continuous Improvement and responsible for leading the continuous improvement process, providing technical support including process studies, problem-solving, and process optimization. Lead the implementation, sustainability, and improvements of the unit level's Ingredion Performance System (IPS).

Your role will be:

• Support implementing the CI/IPS management system and other CI/IPS related activities, while assuring the sustainability of Management System tools, like routine dashboards, OEE measurement, and other routine indicators.
• Deliver Management System training that includes concepts, tools, and deliverables, to achieve awareness and facilitate CI/IPS adoption and cultural change.
• Help establish a baseline of main KPIs and support the unit leadership team during the target setting according to regional, financial, and functional goals.
• Maintain an improvement plan/project portfolio (Safety, Quality, Service, Cost Reduction, etc.) through gap analysis to recommend implementation process improvements to drive unit target achievement and organizational effectiveness.
• Support diverse cost reduction, productivity enhancement, and Safety/Quality improvement targets for the plant (PDCA, LSS, Kaizen, etc.).
• Act as a liaison between the manufacturing plant and production technology (IT) team.
• Support the plant team to achieve their Sustainability goals using CI tools.
• Participate in regional, and local Manufacturing Excellence and CI team regional meetings to identify new practices for the plant's success.
• Evaluate new technologies and ideas and seek approval for new concepts to improve the efficiency and capability of the process, the safety of the facility, and improve product quality.
• Help drive implementation of digital OEE system and reporting for the unit.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, Ideation workshops, RCA studies, and other CI activities that support plant performance enhancement.
• Leverage analytical and problem-solving skills to support plant management in the identification of key success drivers and execution of improvement objectives.
• Lead/act like a change agent to achieve continuous improvement and a focused culture, through collaboration with all business and functional units in the region to ensure alignment of improvement initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with the Plant leaders to multiply knowledge in CI methodologies and act as a changing agent of the culture.
• Support employee training in the proper application of Continuous Improvement and IPS concepts.
• Coach and mentor plant teams/ individuals to ensure the successful completion of IPS implementation and CI activities.
• Support preparation of skill matrix deployment as part of Management System – People.

Your profile needs these qualifications:

Mandatory requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, or Manufacturing engineering.
• Demonstrated knowledge of engineering and unit operations relevant to the corn wet milling industry, such as basic chemistry, heat and mass balances, mechanics and physical/chemical separation, and energy management.
• Knowledge of digital systems including OEE, integrated action tracking, and KPI reporting.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft tools such as PowerApps, PowerBI, and Power Automate preferred.

Desirable requirements:

• Experience in Process/Industrial Engineering.
• Experience working in and supporting lean management systems.
• Experience implementing OEE, electronic paperwork, or other digital process improvement solutions.

You’ll need these skills to be successful:

• Demonstrated self-starter with strong leadership skills and a high degree of integrity.
• Utilization of data and facts to articulate the need for change and build commitment from others.
• Organization, prioritization, and decision-making.
• Communicate effectively.
• Ethics and corporate values.
• Result-driven with urgency.
• Deliver our strategy.
• Proactive, innovative, and strong will to succeed.
• High discipline in routine execution.

Relocation Available:

No

Pay Range:

$67,520.00-$90,026.67 Annual

This pay range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Final base salary will be determined based on several factors which may include but are not limited to responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data and applicable bargaining agreement (if any).

Incentive Compensation:

As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Ingredion Annual Incentive Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus.

Benefits:

Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, and vision coverage as well as a 401(k) plan with a competitive company match.