Continuous Improvement Sr Engineer

Job Location: Hershey, PA (expected travel 30-50%)

Summary:

The Senior Engineer/Food Technologist, Process Optimization fills a critical role in the successful development and execution of the US & Canada Supply Chain's multi-year continuous improvement plan. Utilizing solid engineering skills, you will identify and/or implement product and process optimization projects including but not limited to process improvements, application of new technology, recipe changes, and ingredient changes. This individual will lead or support projects toward a personal target of delivering $3 - 6M annual savings as well as quality, safety, supply continuity and capacity initiatives as assigned. This could include a high number of low to medium complexity projects that drives leadership complexity or medium to high level of autonomy on medium complexity projects and low to medium level of autonomy in leading a program.

This position serves as a technical expert by developing and maintaining up to date knowledge of products, processes, technologies and manufacturing operations. Additionally, your proficiency with project and change management and other business systems will enable efficient CI project execution. This individual will maintain a strong collaborative working relationship with Marketing, Commodities Procurement, Quality and Regulatory Compliance, Legal, R&D, Manufacturing, and Operations Business Integration.

Scope of Responsibilities:

• Project Leadership
  
  
  
  • Under minimal direction assume responsibility for undertaking and executing process and product optimization projects of varying importance, complexity or scope.
  • Undertake projects as assigned and make suggestions for initiation of projects or their abandonment as experience allows.
  • Provide updates to project teams and management throughout the company that allows for timely decision making and the execution of testing schedules in an expedient and effective manner.
  • Assume responsibility for participating in project design and methodology, problem solving through application of knowledge and original thinking.
  • Identify, develop and validate process and product optimization projects through preparation of experimental formulations and process designs, bench and pilot scale development, stakeholder alignment, and manufacturing trials.
  • Participate in projects up to and including implementation, to include process and product support, training and sustainability initiatives.
  • Close collaboration with R&D, Engineering, Finance, QRC, Manufacturing and Marketing will be required.
  • Under general direction, take initiative to secure from such resources for all pertinent advice, ideas, and information having a bearing upon a project.
  • Relentlessly challenges the status quo (suppliers, technology, process) to identify and drive packaging cost, quality, performance, and sustainability optimization
  • Routinely benchmarks and monitors trends and technology to apply best demonstrated practices which drive cost, quality, performance, and sustainability improvements
  • Designs and conducts data generating tests and implements quality and performance optimization via data analytics and robust performance specification development
  
  
  
  
• Process and Product Optimization
  
  
  
  • Recommend, design and develop process and product improvements within operations to provide the optimal solution for the given project.
  • Develop initial process and product specifications, formulations, scope of work, schedule, capital design concept and estimate.
  • Conduct proof of principle testing to evaluate technical and financial feasibility for proposed solutions.
  • Review results of tests with others and recommend further testing and/or changes deemed necessary to formulation and manufacturing processes to assure process capacity and efficiency to meet the business plan.
  • Prepare project reports, deduct significance of results and conclusions and make presentations of findings to Management as pertinent to complete assignments.
  • Responsibilities include ingredient specification and formula development, the design, implementation, and documentation of manufacturing feasibility trials and product sample generation, coordination of sensory testing, development of process solutions including conceptual engineering design, PFD and P&ID generation, cost estimation techniques, system and project proposal development, supplier evaluations, bid specification development, coordination of implementation with manufacturing staff; process commissioning, and successful transition of deliverables to plant operating staff, including training and technical knowledge to assure sustainability of improvements.
  • Provide project management services as required to deliver optimization projects including cost, schedule, and resource management.
  
  
  
  
• Product and Process Technical Support
  
  
  
  • Support process and product improvement initiatives throughout the Hershey manufacturing network.
  • Utilize process engineering and food science principals, technical training and judgment to resolve product quality, process troubleshooting and optimization initiatives.
  • Utilize root cause analysis and structured problem-solving methodology to identify root cause, develop and implement solutions to projects.
  
  
  
  
• Technology Application
  
  
  
  • Utilize technical training and skills in the discovery and application of new or emerging technologies for Hershey process and product optimization initiatives to meet strategic growth and cost initiatives.
  • Determine technical feasibility and economic justification for new technology applications.
  • Coordinate the operation of plant, pilot plant processing or laboratory equipment or apparatus in the performance of tests or the implementation of improvements.
  
  
  
  
• Process Management
  
  
  
  • Develop and maintain up to date knowledge related to processing technologies, equipment, and product formulas in a minimum of two technical areas related to chocolate, confectionery, candy or related snack foods.
  • Develop knowledge and proficiency related to change management and capital program management from discovery through execution phase.
  
  
  
  

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 4+ years of relevant experience
• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering, Biological/Food/Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or another related field
• Preference will be given to individuals who are currently employed as a Process Engineer and have some Process Controls experience.

Other knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Prior experience with Process/Project Engineering and Controls Engineering is preferred
• Familiarity with basic food science principles, working in a food manufacturing environment or similar CPG manufacturing experience
• Working knowledge of Project Engineering - project scope development, capital estimation, PFD/P&ID Development, and Project management. Familiarity with key food/confection equipment vendors
• Familiarity with manufacturing environments including safety, ingredient management, confectionary manufacturing processes, packaging processes, Quality Assurance, GMP and Lean manufacturing principles
• Advanced problem solving and evaluation capabilities
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to define, develop, and implement complex product and process optimization projects using Hershey business processes
• Good time management and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects at different locations. Ability to establish priorities and execute multifunctional strategic project objectives
• Demonstrated ability to work independently
• Able to provide leadership and direction on new technical platforms, technologies, ingredients, and processes
• Good interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with Operations Teams, Technical experts, External government and industry agencies and Senior Management
• Ability to travel up to 50%