Production Engineer II

Staffmark Group•Phoenix, AZ

61d•Onsite

About The Position

The client is a specialty food manufacturer and custom copacking partner for a diverse range of dry goods (seasonings/mixes) to liquid/viscous products (sauces/dressings). The Production Engineer plays a critical role in optimizing food manufacturing operations by applying engineering principles to improve production processes, ensure equipment reliability, and maintain compliance with stringent food safety standards. This role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams (Production, QA/QC) to drive continuous improvement, enhance product quality, and ensure the overall efficiency of our high-volume copacking facility.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related engineering field.
3-5 years of experience in a food or beverage production sector; or a equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, lead small to medium-sized projects (e.g., implementing a new CMMS module or optimizing a specific packaging line), and consistently perform deep Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
Capable to deliver measurable cost savings or efficiency gains (OEE improvement) and turning reactive maintenance into proactive process improvement.
Proven ability to interpret technical data and translate it into actionable process improvements.
Familiarity with the application and maintenance of a CMMS.
Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, high-pressure manufacturing environments and coordinate cross-functionally.

Responsibilities

Process Optimization and Efficiency
Apply industrial engineering principles to design, develop, and optimize food production processes that prioritize safety, cost efficiency, and consistent product quality.
Constantly review the operation of plant equipment and systems to minimize unplanned downtime, anticipate and solve problems in a timely manner, and identify opportunities for Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) improvement.
Review existing production processes, identify optimum manufacturing techniques, and modify production routers to enhance efficiency and ensure production targets are met.
Reliability and Quality
Conduct Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for equipment failures and process deviations, and develop formal corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to ensure consistent production performance.
Work closely with production and QA/QC departments to recommend design modifications to equipment or line layouts in order to eliminate quality issues and improve the production schedule.
Establish and maintain a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) for accurately tracking work orders, managing spare parts, and documenting maintenance history of plant equipment.
Reporting and Cross-Functional Support
Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly data-driven reports, analyze performance data, and make recommendations for improving plant operations and solving mechanical-related problems.
Monitor the use and inventories of spare parts, maintenance supplies, and equipment, and initiate reordering when necessary.
Effectively communicate with Production and Operations Departments to coordinate necessary maintenance and repair work in process areas, minimizing disruption.
Implement programs and procedures required to ensure plant cleanliness and assist with planning and implementing major plant improvements and expansions.