Sr. Process Engineer

Perfetti Van Melle•Erlanger, KY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Perfetti Van Melle, a leading global confectionery manufacturer, is seeking a passionate and enthusiastic Process Engineer to join their Rockford Production team. This role is responsible for managing the overall performance and efficiency of various production lines, focusing on improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), scrap reduction, and change management. The Process Engineer will lead continuous improvement projects, including packaging material changes and equipment upgrades. Strong interpersonal skills are essential for collaborating with various stakeholders such as Maintenance, R&D, Packaging, Production, Engineering, CI, and Quality to drive productivity initiatives and act as a change agent. As a mid-level engineer, this individual is expected to manage complex situations and lead effective teams. The role involves analyzing process capability through statistical analysis and utilizing Integrated Lean Six Sigma (IL6S) tools (e.g., 5S, CIL, Centerlines, Visual Standards, Statistical Process Capability) to enhance line efficiency and build employee capability. The position also requires providing technical and business expertise on manufacturing systems, maintaining documentation, and leading commissioning plans and factory acceptance tests for new packaging designs. Collaboration with equipment suppliers and maintenance teams is key to driving efficiency gains and eliminating losses through continuous improvement processes, problem-solving, and statistical analysis. The engineer will also act as a leader and trainer for IL6S methodologies, completing Kaizen or DMAIC projects and owning specific work processes.

Requirements

BS in Mechanical Engineering, Packaging Engineering or related field
2-5 years’ experience in the as an engineer, preferably working with CPGs
2-5 years’ experience in engineering role leading packaging design or equipment installation.
Proven involvement with equipment start-ups.
Examples of collaborative team participation
Knowledge of statistics, quality, TPM and production KPIs
Technical expertise in all materials traditionally used for CPG packaging which include corrugated, paperboard, flexible films and rigid packaging
Knowledge and experience working with VFFS, HFFS, flow wrapping, Bottling lines and other types of automated packing equipment
Strong problem solving and data analysis skills
Proficient experience delivering quantified results through cross functional teams – leading and coaching
Training and Mentoring skills to develop Problem Solving capability
Strong computer skills; proficient in the use of MS Office Applications, specifically Excel
Ability to work off-shifts and weekends as required by the business
Ability to travel to meet new and existing vendors in order to understand supplier capability, manage pre-press operations and provide support on high priority projects (5-10% Travel is estimated)
Ability to travel to international sister units to learn best in class practices

Nice To Haves

Experience in an established World Class Manufacturing facility (TPM, Lean, 6 Sigma or High-Performance Work Systems) strongly preferred
Six Sigma Green or Black Belt Preferred

Responsibilities

Managing the overall performance and efficiency of various production lines.
Driving improved OEE, scrap reduction, and change management on production lines.
Leading and supporting all continuous improvement projects on the line (packaging material changes, equipment upgrades, installations etc).
Working closely with various stakeholders including Maintenance, R&D, Packaging, Production, Engineering, CI and Quality, to lead various productivity initiatives and act as a strong change agent.
Understanding and analyzing process capability through statistical analysis.
Using Integrated Lean Six Sigma (IL6S) tools (ex. 5S, CIL, Centerlines, Visual Standards, Statistical Process Capability) to drive line efficiency improvements.
Ensuring employee capability is being built.
Provide technical and business expertise on manufacturing systems/technologies/products and materials.
Maintain and create appropriate documentation for reports, project execution, and data analysis.
Provide expertise in machine, materials, methods, environment, and personnel to provide robust operating systems.
Lead and define all KPIs for packaging lines and provide a detailed plan to improve/control.
Collect data, interpret results, and formulate detailed technical reports.
Communicate recommendations and influence key cross functional stakeholders on business decisions.
Lead commissioning plans, and factory acceptance tests for all new packaging designs.
Work closely with local and group engineering to understand equipment requirements and tolerances.
Lead line trials alongside packaging engineer associated with new packaging/equipment.
Single point of contact and technical project leader for all trials related to packaging materials.
Collaborate with equipment suppliers, maintenance etc to drive efficiency gains.
Drive loss elimination while improving system and equipment reliability through demonstrated use of continuous improvement processes, problem solving, statistical analysis and support of productivity initiatives.
Identify, Quantify, Eradicate previously prioritized losses.
Leader & trainer of IL6S methodologies.
Complete 12 Step Kobetsu Kaizens or DMAIC projects.
Owner of 1 or more FI work process (Site Loss Analysis, RCA, Kaizen Improvements, Working Principles).
Understand “Ins and Outs” of designated department through dept. process flow, personnel flow, machine transformation units, performance metrics.