This opportunity is located within our AFB International business, the global science and technology leader in pet food palatability. We develop and produce a full range of liquid and dry palatability enhancers using high-quality ingredients proven to optimize companion animal response and consumption.

Job Description

Summary Designs and maintains plant systems by performing the following duties personally or through the plant engineering team under the supervision of the plant engineering and maintenance manager.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Implements capital plan for Aurora including CAR design, development, writing, bidding and management of alternatives. Manage project within budget and schedule including vendor selection, contract negotiations and all purchases, installation, and start-up.

• Provide process engineering support for significant changes in processing method and product manufacturing troubleshooting. Design and justify equipment or processes in concert with project teams to support new product or business development

• Provide on-site manufacturing support, engaging well with operators and educating both operators and management as to how and why we make products the way we do.

• Successfully contribute to and/or lead process improvement efforts that lead to improvement of standard metrics including yield, productivity or other sound performance metrics.

• Work closely with Product Development Team to create processes and identify processing parameters that ensure successful translation of products through ideation, development and manufacturing.

• Utilize and implement applicable state of the art technologies and/or processes that can provide value to AFB.

• Design and justify equipment or processes in concert with project teams to support new product or business development.

• Provides technical support to the plant as required including quality, reliability or other areas as needed.

• Analyzes technology trends, human resource needs, and market demand to plan projects.

• Confers with production management staff to determine engineering feasibility, cost effectiveness, and customer demand for new and existing processes.

• Provides direction and example for interpretation and application of company policies and procedures to the engineering activities.

• Maintains a working knowledge of new technologies which may improve operations, and develops recommendations accordingly.

• Maintains a working knowledge of safety policies and regulations to ensure duties of self and others are performed in a safe manner.

  Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  Education/Experience

  Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, and Electrical Engineering from four-year ABET accredited college or university

  Knowledge, Skills and Abilities To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Knowledge of safety practices applicable to flavors production and ability to follow designated safety procedures.

• Ability to maintain accurate records relating to jobs as they are planned performed and completed. Skill to use electronic means for recording data.

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills to interact effectively with peers, co-workers, supervisors, and vendors as required.

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations. Ability to effectively present information to team members, top management, and/or public groups.

• Ability to read drawings and interpret line diagrams, equipment layout drawings, and electrical prints.

• Knowledge and understanding of plc ladder logic programming and interpreting line diagrams and electrical schematics is beneficial.

• Proficient skill level in MS Office Applications such as Word and Excel

• Knowledge of algebraic and calculus mathematical concepts, theory, and application

• Knowledge of food product manufacturing equipment including but not limited to meat grinders, extrusion machines, and dry blend equipment is highly desired. Previous experience with food safety programs, including HACCP and cGMPs is beneficial.

• The ability to convey technical requirements through the use of AutoCAD or similar software to generate drawings, process flow diagrams as well as process and instrumentation drawings.

AFB International is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.