Project Engineer - Richmond Plant

POSITION OVERVIEW

Blue Buffalo is a driver for growth for General Mills and the Richmond plant is at the heart of that growth. Richmond manufactures several varieties of dry dog and cat food. Our commitment to culture, rooted in the Cohesive Team structure, and our business imperative to unlock capacity makes Richmond the destination of choice. Richmond produces ~400MM pounds of the world's best pet food with a glidepath that will require us to run ~600MM pounds in just a few years. The Pet segment is unique in the General Mills' portfolio because of the deep integration with the business and Supply Chain. There truly is no place like BLUE.

The Project Engineer is responsible for executing capital projects including scope development, cost estimation, system design, equipment sizing and selection, procurement, installation, check-out, and start-up. This role will provide technical solutions across the Richmond site, working with cross functional teams. The role will also include technical leadership and support.

To learn more about our Richmond plant and surrounding area click here!

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Lead Engineer on capital projects - overall project management, budget, schedule management, construction management, start-up, conceptual phases, project close-out, scope development, cost estimation, system design, equipment sizing and selection, procurement, installation, check-out.
• Lead system design standards development for unit operations. Includes improvements to existing standards using appropriate technical evaluation and involvement.
• Maintain engineering interface with business unit team - maintain close working relationship with R&D, quality, safety, manufacturing, operations leadership, and financial operations.
• Offer production support and troubleshooting assistance to Engineers, Maintenance, Operations, Quality, Safety, and Food Safety.
• Provide innovative technical solutions required to meet business objectives with emphasis on productivity.
• Provide support to annual capital planning process, which may include development and management of the capital program for an operating department.
• Utilize Continuous Improvement tools, including but not limited to Early Management, Specialized Maintenance, Autonomous Maintenance, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, Induced Failure Testing, and support CI and Phase Progression efforts.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or related degree with applicable experience or extensive relevant work experience
• 1+ years of project engineering experience in a continuous manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated skills in executing several concurrent assignments with emphasis on project management, productivity, and packing development
• Demonstrated technical leadership, adaptability, analytical and problem-solving skills, decision making, troubleshooting, communications, team management, and human relations skills
• Strong ability to involve operators and mechanics in the project process
• Experience working with plant technicians, leadership staff, outside vendors and managing contractors and engineering firms
• Must have a good understanding of packaging and processing systems and a working knowledge of plant manufacturing, engineering, quality, and research functions

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 3+ years in relevant food manufacturing with engineering experience
• Understanding of Food Manufacturing regulatory Requirements (Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Food Safety, etc). experience working with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and OSHA regulations
• Knowledge of and experience with manufacturing improvement methodologies such as Six Sigma, TPM, CI, Zero Loss Culture, or Lean Manufacturing

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

• International relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.
• Applicants for this position must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. General Mills will not sponsor applicants for this position for work visas.

We exist to make food the world loves. But we do more than that. Our company is a place that prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives and reimagine new possibilities, every day. We look for people who want to bring their best - bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one other and grow together. Because becoming the undisputed leader in food means surrounding ourselves with people who are hungry for what's next.