Continuous Improvement Engineer – Charlotte, NC

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