Plant Engineer - Ventura Foods

Position Summary:

Maintain and improve the Plant operations making it more cost effective. Improve the Plant Facilities. Improve the equipment’s operation; design and install equipment, processing systems and utilities to meet customer needs. Promote future growth of the plant and the company as a whole.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist in selecting, validating, and optimizing equipment to meet operational requirements and regulatory compliance.
• Lead projects from planning to execution, overseeing scope, cost, and schedule. Provide detailed scopes of work, cost estimates, and timelines.
• Coordinate with various departments to balance production schedules, staffing needs, and safety requirements.
• Ensure adherence to FDA, GMP, CalOSHA and food manufacturing regulations and standards.
• Collaborate effectively with engineering, operations, and production teams to achieve project and business objectives.
• Produce Equipment layouts and drawing as needed.
• Project management of new equipment and capital assets.
• Manage the installation of Capital projects, including budget, and assist in other Engineering areas as needed.
• Develop, engineer, design, purchase and install new processing, packaging and other manufacturing systems.
• Propose and write RFEs for capital investments to improve operations and for cost savings.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience.
• 5 years equivalent experience with responsibilities for managing Capital projects to include: research, develop and design project, write project justification, control finances and installation of project including operational training.
• Experience in mechanical and electrical fields

Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated track record of promoting a safe work environment.
• Proficiency in CAD software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• In-depth of knowledge in: boilers, pumps, fillers, cappers, sealers, printers, with a wide range of wrapping / packaging equipment experience, swept surface heat exchangers, blenders, whippers and all phases of food processing equipment, including all types of electronically controlled equipment.
• Good communication skills to interact with outside vendors, suppliers, etc. and all levels of Ventura personnel.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing metrics, including quality, yield, OEE, and downtime.

Why Join Us:

Ventura Foods offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits:?

• Medical, Prescription, Dental, & Vision – coverage beginning on your 1st day for eligible employees?
• Profit Sharing and 401(k) matching (after eligible criteria is met)?
• Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and Holidays?
• Employee Appreciation Events? and Employee Assistance Programs
• Salary Base Range of $94,071 - $121,493.40 for Employees Located in California*

*The “base salary range” provided above is a good faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this position. The range provided is for California-based employees as Ventura Foods is required by California State Law to post pay rates. Ventura Foods reserves the right to pay outside of the given range based on a variety of factors including but not limited to: candidate skills and experience, complexity of the job, budgetary factors, and location/geography. Ventura Foods conducts regular reviews of compensation ranges and therefore reserves the right to alter this range at any given time.

Physical Demands:

Regularly requires intermittent sitting, standing, walking, climbing, squatting, kneeling, pushing, and pulling. Physical strength and dexterity sufficient to perform the required task(s). Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds or more with assistance. Additional demands may be required.

Work Environment:

In addition to normal business hours, work schedules may include after hours and weekends as needed. May work outside and in adverse temperatures which include extreme hot, cold, and humidity. May be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and vibration. Must be willing and able to wear personal protective equipment as required by established Company Safety standards. May require work in confined and dark spaces, and at heights in excess of 18 feet for prolonged periods of time.

Diversity & Inclusion:

Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment in which all employees are treated with respect is evident in our company culture and values. We believe that fostering an environment of inclusion and a focus on diversity across our organization is vital to attracting top talent, driving innovation, and meeting the high expectations of our customers in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.

Ventura Foods is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.