Purpose Statement

The Project Engineer plays a critical role in driving engineering excellence through comprehensive analysis, process optimization, and project execution. This role leads initiatives from concept through financial justification and plant implementation, ensuring process reliability, equipment capability, and vertical start-up readiness.

This role can be remote within the USA with up to 40% travel based on project needs.

Key Accountabilities and Outcomes

Project Management and Engineering Capability

· Lead capital investment projects from ideation through closeout using sound project management, design engineering practices and TPM - Early Equipment Management (aka EEM) Pillar practices

· Identify sound technical solutions that deliver efficient and reliable line performance

· Proven ability to effectively lead and coordinate different project stakeholders through project justification, design development and in-plant execution through start up

· Develop and manage a skills matrix and step-up card framework to build engineering, project management, and line operator capabilities

· Deliver training programs and assess associate development using structured metrics

· Maintain clear communication channels to ensure project requirements are understood and delivered across all teams

· Lead governance and framework development to embed EEM best practices into capital and process initiatives

· Manage Stage Gate review processes, templates, and associated documentation

· Define and track success metrics for key projects, including line reliability, vertical start-up effectiveness, and operational performance

· Collaborate with cross-functional teams—R&D, Manufacturing, TPM trios, QA, and Sanitation—to ensure TPM-readiness and successful execution

· Serve as a primary communicator for project updates, reviews, and stakeholder alignment

Capital Strategy and Performance Analytics

· Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for capital investment and utilization to deliver step change on Rich’s capital effectiveness and Value Engineering

· Support capital planning efforts with process-oriented insights and ROI-based analysis

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

· BS degree in engineering with 5+ years’ experience in project management and design engineering in the food industry or related industry. Master’s degree a plus.

· Ability to create concise reporting and updates and KPI development.

· Strong working knowledge of TPM and EEM pillar framework.

· Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with project management tools (MS Project or similar) and data analysis tools preferred

· Proven experience leading capital projects, optimize processes, and manage cross-functional initiatives

· Excellent communication and coaching skills to influence at all levels

· Comfortable working independently in fast-paced environments with shifting priorities

· Strong customer focus and continuous improvement mindset

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