Project Engineer

Perfetti Van Melle•Erlanger, KY

25d

About The Position

Perfetti Van Melle is seeking a Project Engineer to support capital projects and continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment. The role prepares project documentation, layouts, budgets, and schedules; develops operational and financial analyses to justify capital projects; obtains supplier and contractor quotations; and manages installation and startup activities. The Project Engineer also helps prepare training, safety, food safety, and maintenance documentation and represents engineering on interdepartmental project delivery teams. Project scope ranges from equipment and facility improvements to installation and commissioning of complete process and production lines and civil expansions. The role works with production, maintenance, finance, safety, vendors, contractors, and corporate personnel to improve production performance, safety, food safety, reliability, cost, capacity, and efficiency. It maintains plant and equipment layouts using ACAD and a 3D engineering database, creates technical drawings and documentation, and provides project updates through meetings and presentations. The position plans and executes projects within the operating facility while meeting budget, schedule, employee and contractor safety, and food safety requirements. It contributes to manufacturing innovation and continuous improvement, including methods such as Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, SMED, Motion Economy, and Preventative Maintenance. Travel is expected to be minimal, with the ability to travel up to 20% if needed.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
4–6 years of demonstrated leadership in a manufacturing environment.
3–5 years of experience in engineering project management or execution.
Skills in technical systems analysis, design, technical understanding, process improvement, CAD, manufacturing methods and procedures, and preventive maintenance.
Familiarity with OSHA regulations, FDA regulations, and permitting requirements.
Knowledge of process equipment, including food-ingredient storage, powder and liquid ingredient conveying, continuous and batch mixing, extrusion, cooling, and coating processes.
Working knowledge of plant engineering systems, including steam generation, compressed air, electrical distribution, chilled water, HVAC, and wastewater treatment.
Working knowledge of packaging equipment, robotics, and materials-handling automation.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, drafting and design software (ACAD/3D software), and MS Project.
Strong leadership and interpersonal skills for troubleshooting, problem solving, coaching, and training production team members.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and changing priorities and adapt to changing situations.
Ability to travel up to 20% if needed.
Plan and execute projects in an operating facility while maintaining employee and contractor safety and food safety standards.

Nice To Haves

MBA preferred.
Exposure to Integrated Work Systems (IWS) or World Class Manufacturing (WCM).
Exposure to problem-solving techniques, including root cause analysis.

Responsibilities

Prepare capital project documentation, layouts, budgets, and schedules.
Work with finance and production departments to develop operational and financial analyses for capital project justifications.
Obtain quotations from equipment suppliers and contractors, and manage project installation and startup activities.
Help prepare training, safety, food safety, and maintenance documentation.
Represent engineering on interdepartmental project delivery teams.
Identify, lead, and implement cost-reduction and continuous-improvement initiatives for plant procedures and manufacturing methods.
Propose equipment or process changes to reduce production costs, save materials, and improve operating efficiency.
Analyze plant operations to identify opportunities to reduce downtime, utility or power consumption, and safety issues; collaborate with the Engineering Manager, maintenance staff, Safety Coordinator, and vendors on improvements.
Manage vendors, contractors, plant personnel, and corporate personnel to complete projects on time.
Maintain technical layouts of plant and production equipment using ACAD and a 3D engineering database.
Work with supervisors, maintenance, and production departments to train employees.
Work with the Safety Coordinator to identify and implement equipment changes that address operator safety and health concerns.
Provide guidance for preventive and repair maintenance to support scheduled plant operations.
Communicate with equipment vendors and manufacturers about technical specifications, project timelines, budget estimates, and price negotiations.
Create technical drawings and documentation and participate in internal project-status meetings and presentations.
Perform technical and engineering analyses to determine equipment specifications, capacity limitations, maintenance requirements, part design, and equipment layouts.
Plan and execute facility projects while ensuring employee and contractor safety and food safety standards.
Ensure project execution meets budget and timeline requirements.
Meet commitments for production capacity, efficiency, headcount, and energy consumption.
Evaluate and select equipment suppliers for process and packaging needs, ensuring equipment meets quality and technical standards and delivers required volumes, rates, and efficiency cost-effectively.
Recommend line layouts, operating logic, and capital requirements for engineering projects.
Contribute to continuous improvement and innovation in manufacturing processes, technology, and procedures.