Project Engineer

Russell Stover Chocolates; Abilene (KS); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Protective gear and GMP training

Climate-controlled environment

Dynamic working environment

Job summary

Russell Stover Chocolates is seeking a Project Engineer to manage capital projects involving chocolate manufacturing. You will coordinate installations and ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

The ideal candidate will possess a degree in engineering, with at least 5 years of relevant experience, excellent communication skills, and an understanding of project management. Join us in creating chocolate delights!

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in project/process engineering and project management.
• Strong understanding of engineering principles and industry standards.
• Ability to travel up to 15% during certain times of the year.

Responsibilities

• Manage capital installation work and ensure projects are in scope, on time and on budget.
• Conduct feasibility analysis for proposed solutions to meet requirements.
• Communicate with key stakeholders throughout project development.
• Coordinate mechanical and electrical installation requirements.

Skills

Project/process engineering

Project management

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

PLC language (Allen Bradley and Siemens)

Job description

At Russell Stover, not only do we love chocolate, but we love our jobs! Every day we go to work exhibiting our values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Working at Russell Stover you’ll be part of the leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar‑free chocolates. For over 100 years, Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman’s, and Pangburn’s have been crafted with the finest ingredients to bring happiness to generations. Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, and our legacy brands can be found in 13 company‑owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join our team and let’s continue making chocolate lovers happy!

A day in the life…

As a Project Engineer, you will be an important link in the Russell Stover Chocolate (RSC) Engineering chain. You will manage capital projects involving chocolate manufacturing processing and packaging systems. In this role you will be responsible for developing and maintaining project scope, budget, timeline and success criteria to meet given objectives.

What You Will Be Doing

• Manage capital installation work and ensure projects are in scope, on time and on budget.
• Conduct feasibility analysis for proposed solutions to accommodate production, QA, and management requirements in an optimal solution.
• Develop capital investment requests with justification for new projects.
• Communication with key stakeholders throughout project development and execution.
• Work with vendors to order, specify, test and approve new equipment.
• Coordinate mechanical and electrical installation requirements with both outside contractors and internal resources where applicable.
• Guide engineering work by contractors and equipment vendors and ensure commissioned performance of installations.
• Ensure efficient and thorough handover of new installations to the Plant Operations team.
• Work with the training department to develop procedures for new equipment.
• Support production and maintenance departments when complicated issues arise.
• Provide timely support to meet Innovation, Marketing, R&D and/or Purchasing requirements in launching new or improved products and/or packaging items, including specifying and ordering new tools or machines, and following through on implementation from concept to production start‑up and training.
• Adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure product quality and maintain compliance with food safety standards.
• Complete and follow FSQA training and programs to comply with regulatory requirements, ensure consumer safety, and support the plant’s food safety and quality objectives.
• Promptly report and take appropriate action on any observed or potential food safety hazards, process deviations, or non‑conformities by notifying the designated plant supervisor, in accordance with your role and responsibilities.
• Actively contribute to the continuous improvement of the company’s Food Safety Culture through engagement and actions aligned with your role.

Do you have what it takes?

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years of experience in project/process engineering and project management.
• Strong understanding of engineering principles and industry standards.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak, read, and write English fluently, with or without an accommodation.
• Ability to travel up to 15% during certain times of the year.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the chocolate manufacturing industry.
• Professional certifications (e.g., PMP, PE).
• Proficiency in PLC language (Allen Bradley and Siemens).
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent electrical and mechanical hands‑on skills.
• Ability to start, address, and prioritize project issues independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate at all levels of the organization.

Experience Life at Russell Stover Plants!

• Safety First: Your well‑being is our top priority, and we’ve got you covered with protective gear. On day one, you’ll dive into Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training, and we’ll keep you on your toes with daily safety tips to ensure you’re always in the know!
• Surroundings: Get ready to work alongside a variety of equipment like automated packing machines, forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and those irresistible chocolate candy banks/steels – it’s a dynamic environment where every day brings something new!
• Active & Engaging Work: Whether you’re on your feet for extended periods, moving around, climbing ladders, or lifting up to 50 lbs, there’s never a dull moment. This is a place where you’ll stay on the move!
• Comfortable Climate: In most roles, you will be comfortable year‑round with our climate‑controlled environment.
• Appealing Smells: The air is filled with sweet aromas of chocolate, and by the time your shift ends, you might just leave smelling like chocolate!
• Dress to Impress (Food Safety Style): A simple yet important dress code ensures safety and hygiene, following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to keep everything running smoothly.
• Allergens: You will be exposed to a variety of ingredients that may be considered food allergens.

At Russell Stover Chocolates, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Russell Stover Chocolates is proud to be an equal‑opportunity workplace.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, military service, veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Employment by Russell Stover Chocolates is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, education verification, and satisfactory reference and background checks.