Manufacturing Project Engineer

Who We Are

At Freshpet, our goal is to change the way people nourish their pets forever. We strive to strengthen the bond between people and our pets so that we both live longer, healthier, and happier lives while being kind to the planet. We believe that if we can create fresh, real foods that pets love and help them live healthier lives that their pet parents will also enjoy the many benefits of a rich life shared with a pet.

We started off with a mission to change the way pet parents feed dogs and cats, but we also wanted to be a company that had a thoughtful approach to how we operate. We wanted to do things differently, make great products but be gentle to the planet, good to the people who touch our business, and leave a positive impact with everything we do. We work hard every day to ensure that the original vision is met, starting with making the highest quality foods in our kitchens to running our business with integrity, transparency, and social and environmental responsibility. IT'S AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU START COMPLETELY FRESH!

What You Will Do

The Manufacturing Project Engineer supports all aspects of manufacturing processes and packaging products. You will work with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Scheduling, Product Development, Facilities, IT, Controls Engineering and partner firms to assure the highest level of safety, quality, consistency and productivity. Our product line consists of multiple product type lines which require an individual that can support the high-level vision for culture and growth and be comfortable with a "hands on" approach and style. As the Manufacturing Project Engineer, you will utilize company programs and lead projects with multidisciplinary teams and work collaboratively with employees at all levels to continuously improve performance and to achieve company goals. You are a lead technical resource to a 24/7 manufacturing operation.

How You Will Make an Impact

• Managing multiple projects in a highly collaborative and communicative environment

• Supervision and management of contractors and external engineering resources

• Incorporating the principles of sanitary design and standardization into manufacturing equipment to assure high levels of product purity, food safety, and reliability

• Identifying, developing and implementing solutions to manufacturing challenges in liquid and dry ingredient handling, raw protein batching and processing, cooking, cooling, packaging, inspection and sanitation processes

• Coordinating project and operations schedules to implement changes with minimal impact on plant operations

• Evaluating new technologies and evaluating the impact of process changes or new processes on product quality and productivity as well as plant infrastructure and utility systems

• Reinforcing best practices in safety behaviors and food safety principles. Participation in and support of behavioral based safety observation program

• Leading troubleshooting efforts and process studies with emphasis on root cause identification and resolution. Presenting data driven options for creative solutions

• Maintaining and cataloging plant project documentation including CAD drawings (electronic and paper), equipment submittals and drawings

• Reinforcing company cultural values and maintaining strong relationships with vendors and stakeholders

• Availability on nights, weekends and holidays to manage project work and to respond to emergencies

What You Will Bring

• BS Degree in engineering, relevant field, or proven experience

• Min. 3 years of Engineering experience in a process manufacturing environment

• Experience planning and executing of projects involving the installation of new or retrofitting equipment into existing process/production lines

• Proficiency with design software like AutoCad or Solidworks

• Experience with food processing or packaging experience

• Ability to work flexible hours to support projects around production schedules.

• Ability to handle multiple projects

• Good Leadership experience to work with Engineering, Controls, QA, Safety, Production, Maintenance, Product development, Partner firms, Contractors, etc.

• Intermediate to advance computer skills including Microsoft Office

• Must be a self-starter with a high-level integrity and honesty

• Ability to read, write, analyze, and interpret technical procedures & schematic diagrams

• Knowledge of industrial controls, PLCs, HMIs

• Knowledge of manufacturing plant utilities

• FDA regulated Industry experience in Food, BioPharma, Medical Device, Cosmetics, OTC etc.

• Complete Project cycle experience from design phase, plant layout, specification creation, vendor RFQ, Vendor selection, FAT, onsite commissioning start-up, documentation, validation, testing, training and production handover

• Experience with Protein, meat, processing plant

• Experience with automated packaging systems

What We Offer

At Freshpet, we offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance, basic and optional life insurance, short- and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan with company match, paid parental leave, pet insurance, tuition assistance, a generous PTO plan and so much more!

Our Commitment to a Diverse Workforce:

At Freshpet, we embrace and encourage our employees' differences in age, sex, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

Freshpet aims to foster, cultivate and preserve a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our employees are our most valuable assets. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and company's achievement as well. Freshpet is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Disclaimers

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.

Freshpet is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Freshpet via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Freshpet. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Freshpet as a result of the referral or through other means.