Process Improvement Engineer

Summary

Applies engineering skills and lean techniques to generate continuous improvements in manufacturing in the areas of safety, quality, delivery and cost.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions

Apply process improvement principles, methodologies, and techniques; prepare and conduct process improvement initiatives aimed at improving manufacturing processes, reducing losses, and reducing costs.

Use six-sigma and Design of Experiment techniques to study manufacturing processes to identify losses and develop plans to reduce losses. Develop and maintain a factory value stream map. Develop model for following up on projects to monitor progress of improvement initiatives to assure timely action, appropriate management support and achievement of expected benefits. Track and report savings resulting from improvements.

Champion a culture of Lean through the use of tools and data driven decision. Daily interaction with employees, maintenance and leadership team in understanding plant focus and barriers to performance.

Reviews current state of manufacturing, researches and proposes improvements to the manufacturing process, provides ROI/IRR cost justification on proposed improvements, manages implementation of improvements and conducts reviews of completed improvements.

Develop and execute process improvement projects and other capital and non-capital projects as directed. Define and document issues, project objectives, strategies, deliverables and risk/mitigations to ensure project success.

Lead and Develop Training Program for Operators, Operator/Mechanics, and Maintenance Technicians. Review training documentation, evaluate personnel, develop training plans for personnel, coordinate refresher training, execute and facilitate technical and operations training, and maintain training records.

Plan, organize, and prioritize work assignments and complete them accurately and on-time, while adapting to changing priorities, dealing with ambiguity and navigating high-urgency environments.

Communicate (verbally and in writing) with all members of the team on a consistent basis.

Elimination of reoccurring downtime through engineering changes and improvements.

Directs implementation of process changes and installation of any new equipment.

Reviews new and modified specifications for proper content, and controls timely introduction of same into the manufacturing system. Review, update, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s).

Assists management in determining best utilization of equipment, facilities, material flow and personnel.

Assists production and maintenance with troubleshooting and root cause analysis on issues affecting production. Works with maintenance and CMMS to implement improvements.

Collaborates with Quality Control and manufacturing personnel to ensure that process and equipment produce a product that meets or exceeds Quality Control and Engineering standards.

Identifies and documents best practices. Cascades best practices throughout the organization.

Maintains appropriate computerized and paper files on pertinent information.

Other Duties

Coordinates with other departments to assure cooperation and timely completion of projects. Communicates and cooperates with other members of management to maintain productive and harmonious working relationships.

Occasionally drives own or company vehicle in performance of some job duties.

Participates in training, employee meetings, committees, project teams, etc. as appropriate.

Receives written and verbal instructions on the above job tasks and performs other duties as directed by Supervisor.

Benefits:

401(k)

401(k) matching

Profit Sharing

Dental Insurance

Employee Discount

Flexible spending account

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid Time-Off

Referral Program

Vision Insurance

Mt. Olive Pickle Co., Inc. is an Affirmative Action / Equal Employment Opportunity Employer including Veterans and Disabilities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Requires 4 year technical degree. 5+ years Lean Manufacturing experience; green belt or black belt a plus. Must have excellent written and verbal communications skills. Strong proficiency in Microsoft business software. 7+ years of experience in high volume process based manufacturing, food experience a plus. Must have demonstrated success in managing projects. Well-honed interpersonal skills with strong team working ability required. Ability to teach manufacturing and technical concepts. Must speak, read and write in English; ability to speak, read and write Spanish a plus.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Will lead 2-3 process improvement technicians and 2-3 manufacturing trainers.

Machines, Equipment, Tools Used

Personal computer, standard office equipment, own or company vehicle.

Physical Demands

Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with the fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.

Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make find discriminations in sound.

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures: transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.

Work Environment

Office, plant, and shop conditions as well as occasional but often lengthy exposure to outside conditions.. Long work days and workweeks required. Access to certain confidential data.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the position. All employees may have other duties assigned at any time.