Process Engineer R&D - Westrock Coffee

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

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled