Senior Engineer, TSO

The J.M. Smucker Company; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The J. M. Smucker Co.

in Decatur, AL seeks a Senior Engineer, TSO to drive a high-performance culture by coaching floor technicians, solving problems, and enabling self-reliance. This on-site role partners with plant leadership to advance master plans and the long-term vision, with 8-hour day shifts and occasional off-shift needs. You will lead plant trials, coordinate ingredient changes, and optimize processes across pet food manufacturing, R&D, and operations, while advancing Smucker

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Food Science.
• 2+ years of Engineering, Operations, R&D and/or TSO experience.
• Ability to define a problem statement, identify root cause, and implement corrective actions.
• Ability to lead work independently with basic coaching.
• Ability to collaborate across the organization.
• Willingness to travel 20%.

Responsibilities

• Support technical efforts to evaluate and improve processes and formulations in pet food manufacturing to boost production rates, efficiencies and yield while maintaining safety.
• Provide technical guidance between operations and R&D on new product/process development; liaise between R&D and Operations for plant test runs.
• Own Commissioning, Qualification and Verification (CQV) for new projects.
• Serve as the main point of contact between engineering, R&D and operations to ensure project involvement and smooth turnover.
• Support Smucker Continuous Improvement methods and promote a zero-loss culture.
• Manage time and resources effectively to complete projects.
• Work within specification systems, focusing on recipe creation, ingredient substitutions, cost optimization, and plant trials.
• Coordinate and lead plant trials to evaluate new ingredients or processing/packaging parameters.
• Design and execute experiments at supplier sites and in plant operations.
• Validate improvements and corrective actions that deliver benefits.
• Develop understanding of unit operations at the primary plant and other pet manufacturing locations.

Skills

Problem solving

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Food Science

Job description

Your Opportunity as a Senior Engineer, TSO

The Senior Engineer will drive high-performance work culture by engaging with floor technicians, coaching to problem solve, make decisions, and become self-reliant. Organize and prioritize initiatives with plant leadership to help achieve master plan and long-term vision. Continue to grow your skills and capabilities across Operations and Supply Chain by building a solid foundation in how our products are made and how our work system functions. Location:1200 Market St NE, Decatur, AL 35601 (Meow Mix Manufacturing Plant) Work Arrangements: 100% on-site. 8hr Day Shift: Monday-Friday. Flexibility required. Willingness to work off shift (including nights, weekends, and/or holidays) and flow to the work as needed

In this Role You Will:

• Support technical efforts to evaluate and improve onprocesses and formulationsin Pet food manufacturing plants to improve production rates, efficiencies, and yield while maintaining reliable and safe manufacturing systems.
• Provide technical guidance between operations and R&D on new product/process development, act as liaison between R&D and Operations for scheduling and conducting plant test runs.
• Owner of the Commissioning, Qualification and Verification (CQV) process for new projects.
• Function as single point of contact and key organizational leader between engineering, R&D, and operations team to ensure full involvement during project execution and seamless transition during turnover to operations
• Supports the implementation of Smucker Continuous Improvement methodologies while fostering a zero-loss culture
• Employ effective interpersonal time and resource management skills to complete projects assignments
• Work within specification systems, with a focus on recipe creation, ingredient substitutions, cost optimization, and plant trial requests.
• Coordinate and lead plant trials to evaluate new ingredients and/or new processing/packaging parameters.
• Design and execute experiments at both supplier sites and in plant operations.
• Validate improvements/corrective actions that will deliver the desired benefits.
• Develop a detailed understanding of all unit operations, with focus on process operations, within the primary manufacturing location.
• Develop a general understanding of all unit operations at other Pet manufacturing locations.

What We are Looking For:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Food Science
• 2+ years of Engineering, Operations, R&D and/or TSO experience
• Demonstrated ability to define a problem statement, identify root cause, and develop/implement systemic corrective actions
• Demonstrated ability to lead work effectively and independently given basic coaching and guidance
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and teams across the organization
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
• 20% travel required

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:

• A Chemical, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering or Food Science degree
• Food manufacturing experience
• Project management skills and technical problem-solving capability
• Demonstrated use of formal problem-solving methodologies
• Ability to work and influence within a team environment

Work Environment:

This job operates in a manufacturing environment. The noise level in the work environment and manufacturing sites can be high.

Physical Demands:

• Regularly required to talk and hear.
• Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Able to lift objects up to 50 pounds frequently.
• May push and pull heavy equipment.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The Right Place for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs. Stay connected with us on LinkedIn® We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. We’re a community of passionate, talented professionals dedicated to creating food people and pets love—while supporting the communities in which we work and live. We value what makes each person unique, champion growth and development, and foster collaboration that fuels productivity and drives our shared success. Learn more about our Thrive Together purpose At Smucker, we're passionate about creating a workplace where you truly belong. With a culture rooted in our Basic Beliefs and a competitive Total Rewards program, we aim to support every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs. Learn more about working at Smucker Our culture is sustained and brought to life every day by the people of Smucker and our hiring process is designed to identify the right candidate for every position at our company. Learn more about our hiring process The J. M. Smucker Co. (the “Company”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No person will be discriminated against in hiring or in any other aspect of their employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information, protected veteran/military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.