Plant Engineering Leader

PepsiCo Inc.; Löhmar; On-site; EUR 78,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Disability insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Employee assistance program

Job summary

PepsiCo Inc. is seeking a senior Plant Engineering and Continuous Improvement leader to drive safety, efficiency, and quality across production lines. You will lead a team, partner with QESH, and manage projects for automation, CO₂ refilling, and packaging optimization for the U.S. market.

Responsibilities include leading 5S/6S programs, analyzing processes, and delivering KPI-driven improvements while collaborating with global teams and vendors on technical projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in industrial, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering (or equivalent).
• 10+ years of manufacturing experience with Lean/Six Sigma.
• Experience in food or regulated environments preferred.
• Proven track record of Lean, Six Sigma, and 5S/6S.

Responsibilities

• Lead and drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and other methodologies.
• Identify, analyze, and prioritize process improvements to boost efficiency and reduce costs.
• Develop and track KPIs to measure impact and report progress.
• Oversee plant layout optimization and standard work.
• Collaborate with global OPEX teams and HQ on initiatives.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Engineering troubleshooting

CAD/SolidWorks

MS Office

Project management

Leadership

Programming experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

CAD/SolidWorks

Job description

Overview

This role is responsible for driving and executing process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize operational performance.

Dedicated plant engineering is essential to the automation strategy and project management for Pennsauken's growth strategy, and this role directly supports that initiative.

This role plays a critical part in improving plant productivity, capacity, safety, and quality. The supervisor will lead a team and report directly to the Plant Manager, with a focus on optimizing production equipment, infrastructure, CO₂ refilling and distribution operations, and packaging processes for the U.S. market.

Responsibilities

Safety & Compliance- making decisions, providing consultation or executing actions

• Promote and maintain a safe working environment in compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements
• Identify, assess, and proactively mitigate safety risks
• Ensure adherence to safety standards, including PPE, MSDS, and equipment operation guidelines
• Support plant 5S/6S initiatives to maintain organization, cleanliness, and safety
• Collaborate with QESH to address safety incidents, environmental risks, and compliance requirements
• Ensure equipment, facilities, and layouts meet all applicable safety and regulatory standards

Operations & Continuous Improvement - making decisions, providing consultation or executing actions

• Lead and execute continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and other methodologies
• Identify, analyze, and prioritize process improvement opportunities to increase efficiency and reduce costs
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions
• Develop, track, and report KPIs to measure operational performance and improvement impact
• Drive productivity improvements and help achieve site performance goals
• Establish standard work, including standard times and optimized production methods
• Own and maintain plant layout optimization to improve flow and efficiency
• Partner with global OPEX teams and HQ on key initiatives and best practices
• Support new product introductions into manufacturing

Engineering & Technical Leadership - making decisions, providing consultation or executing actions

• Provide hands-on technical support and lead engineering projects (e.g., equipment upgrades, automation, installations)
• Troubleshoot production and process issues, implementing both short- and long-term solutions
• Design and develop tools, equipment, and production enhancements
• Support infrastructure and utilities implementation
• Collaborate on automation and robotic solutions to improve production capabilities
• Interpret and create technical drawings (CAD/SolidWorks) (preferred)
• Lead FAT/SAT processes in collaboration with global teams
• Manage external vendors and contractors for technical projects
• Oversee spare parts strategy and support permitting processes as needed

Training & Culture- providing consultation or executing actions

• Train and coach employees on continuous improvement tools and methodologies where designated subject matter expert
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across the plant
• Support training initiatives for new equipment and processes through employee trainind and written work instructions

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop the engineering team (maintenance included)
• Manage day-to-day KPI reporting and action item planning
• Ensure proper documentation and training plans for team members as needed
• Develop and execute strong management routine to ensure full ownership and accountability of engineering activities

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain cleanliness and organization across production areas
• Provide regular updates on KPIs, project progress, and operational performance
• Support environmental, health, and safety initiatives led by QESH
• Travel internationally as required
• Support broader plant and organizational needs as assigned

Compensation and Benefits:

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $88,200 - $147,650.
• Location confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting actual starting salary. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.
• Bonus based on performance and eligibility target payout is 8% of annual salary paid out annually.
• Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
• In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in industrial, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering (or equivalent)

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing or production environments
• 7+ years of experience in continuous improvement, OPEX, or similar roles
• Experience in food or regulated production environments preferred
• Proven track record of Lean, Six Sigma, and 5S/6S implementation
• Experience leading projects and cross-functional initiatives

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Hands-on engineering and technical troubleshooting capabilities
• Experience with CAD/SolidWorks and technical drawings
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Project management experience preferred
• Strong communication and leadership skills
• Controls and programming experience is a plus

Language

• Fluent in English (written and spoken)
• Spanish is a plus

Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901-4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity / AgeIf you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy.Please view our Pay Transparency Statement.