Continuous Improvement Engineer

westrockcoffeeexternaljobs; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

WestRock is seeking a technical leader to drive plant support and R&D initiatives, delivering safe, efficient operations and cost reduction. You will guide cross-functional teams, manage capital projects up to $6 MM, and ensure regulatory compliance across FSMA, SQF and FDA standards.

The role requires strong communication, project management skills, and the ability to travel as needed to support projects and operations across plants.

Qualifications

• 4+ years operations experience in a food, beverage or chemical products production environment.
• BA/BS in a chemical or food engineering discipline.
• Experience with micro sensitive products in an FDA or USDA regulated food safety system preferred.
• Experience in thermal processing of liquid products including hot fill and aseptic packaging, liquid evaporation/concentration equipment and aroma systems.
• Knowledge of design engineering in food science, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, sanitary piping practices and process and instrumentation diagrams.
• Working knowledge of Process Controls and Instrumentation systems.
• Experience in beverage manufacturing is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional teams to set strategy and implement new product and process opportunities.
• Identify and implement cost-effective resolutions to improve performance and reduce risk.
• Manage capital projects often up to $6 MM and ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Promote safe working environment in line with OSHA and WestRock safety standards.
• Assure compliance with FSMA, SQF and FDA requirements where applicable.
• Coordinate information flow between the company and customers and ensure timely action items.
• Prepare designs, drawings, plans and specifications for projects and engineered systems.

Skills

Communication

Project management

Cross-functional teamwork

Windows apps

Travel flexibility

Weekend hours

Food beverage processing

Beverage manufacturing experience

Education

BA/BS in chemical or food engineering

Job description

Position Purpose:

The purpose of this position is to provide technical leadership, continuous improvement and project management skills in a plant support and R&D capacity that ensures safe, efficient and low cost plant operations. This position reports to the Corporate Director of Engineering and Technical Services with a dotted line to the Commercial Park Plant Manager.

Job Functions:

• Works as a member of a cross-functional team including Sales, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality Assurance, Research / Development and Supply Chain professionals to set strategy and operationalize new product and process opportunities.
• Works closely with the operations team to determine improvement opportunities and develop cost effective resolutions to improve performance and limit risk.
• Manages capital projects often up to $6 MM.
• Implements best practices in process control, monitoring, HMI interfaces, and operational practices.
• Develops and implements operating methods / procedures designed to eliminate problems, improve quality and cost.
• Recommends designs for new and existing production lines, processes to improve efficiency, safety and productivity.
• Creates, submits and executes projects that meet established budgets and schedules.
• Promotes a safe working environment in compliance with all OSHA and Westrock safety standards.
• Assures that production practices are in compliance with FSMA, SQF standards, and FDA requirements where applicable.
• Conducts technical specification reviews and resolution.
• Coordinate the collection and dissemination of technical information between/within the company and customer.
• Schedule's and monitors program activity to achieve an "on-time" and "on-budget" result including follow-up with external suppliers to ensure timely response to action items.
• Prepares quotations utilizing supplier information, cost standards, technical information from quality, manufacturing engineering, design.
• Ensures that project costs are correctly managed to ensure they are properly represented for accounting's closing process.
• Assignments involve activities requiring knowledge of standard principles and techniques.
• Prepares designs, drawings, plans and specifications for projects, engineered systems, technical equipment or components.
• Assists in the preparation of probable construction cost estimates.
• Reviews and monitors project progress to assure quality and adherence to requirements of contract documents.
• Responsible for control of work-in-progress, ensures accurate client billings, monitors outstanding accounts receivable and collection efforts on related projects.
• Understands Project Management principles and managing to an established scope. Identifies scope changes and takes appropriate action to address changes.

• 4+ years operations experience in a food, beverage or chemical products production environment.
• BA/BS in a chemical or food engineering discipline.
• Experience with micro sensitive products in an FDA or USDA regulated food safety system preferred.
• Experience in thermal processing of liquid products including hot fill and aseptic packaging, liquid evaporation/concentration equipment and aroma systems.
• Knowledge of design engineering in food science, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, sanitary piping practices and process and instrumentation diagrams.
• Working knowledge of Process Controls and Instrumentation systems
• Experience in beverage manufacturing is strongly preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong working knowledge of Windows applications (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook).
• Ability to effectively establish working relationships with various Westrock departments/supervisors/management.
• Ability to travel via plane and car (travel less than 10%)
• Ability to work weekends and extended hours as needed to support project and operational needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vets/Disabled