Westrock Coffee Company Looking for Plant Engineer in Conway AR Full Time

Plant Engineer, Conway

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 Conway Plant Manager.

As a Plant Engineer at Westrock Coffee you will be expected to:

• Develop and evaluate food safety plans (HACCP)
• Analyze existing process to identify and eliminate potential sources of contamination
• Ensure compliance with all internal policies and external regulatory requirements (FDA, HACCP, FSMA, etc.)
• Provide proven working experience in process engineering specifically for dairy and beverage industry
• Work with OEM vendors and plant staff to design, implement, upgrade beverage production and process equipment
• Analyze new beverage commercialization plans and effects on existing processes; develop innovative process solutions to meet commercialization requirements and identify process changes / capital requirements needed to meet the commercialization plan.
• Perform as the subject matter expert, for the Beverage operations unit.
• Provide experience in bringing new technologies to market
• Lead process feasibility studies and plant operations impact studies, as needed.
• Will identify/design/validate and communicate technologies that support process improvement and commercialization. Including but not limited to pasteurizers, new blending technologies, product handling, raw material handling, filling technologies, pumps, valves, and control systems.

Functions Include:

• 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.
• Initiate and drive continuous improvements activities to ensure plant sustainability.
• Creates, submits, and executes projects that meet established budgets and schedules.
• Promotes a safe working environment in compliance with all OSHA and S&D safety standards.
• Assures that production practices follow 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.
• Schedules 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 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.
• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee: but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Qualifications:

• 6+ years of related experience in a food, beverage or chemical products manufacturing environment, including 1+ years of management experience.
• BA/BS in Mechanical, Electrical, 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 departments/supervisors/management Team Members
• 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.