Manufacturing Project Engineer

**THIS POSITION WILL BE BASED ONSITE IN OUR MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN SAN ANTONIO, TX. THIS IS NOT A REMOTE POSITION.**

Since 1750, Finlays has served as the industry’s trusted leader in the supply of tea, coffee, and botanicals extracts to the world’s beverage brand owners. Through engaged employees and a continuous improvement mindset, Finlays has grown this legacy in the North and South American regions. Finlays Americas delivers safe and consistent “fit for purpose” quality products and services, meeting regulatory requirements and customer expectations by being an integrated, customer-centric solution provider.

Role Summary

James Finlay operates manufacturing sites worldwide (USA, UK, China, Kenya, Sri Lanka & Argentina). The primary role will be within the USA; however, there may be international co-operation with other Finlays’ sites around the world to help develop a consistent approach to Engineering Standards.

James Finlay America (JFA) is embarking on an ambitious growth plan to expand production to meet the requirements of our customer base. This expansion requires highly automated process and packaging equipment to provide a lean and productive operation.

This role will review and lead projects in the Lincoln, RI manufacturing site. A successful project focuses on safety and process safety enhancements in addition to typical metrics such as on time delivery, budget, and CVS (commissioning, validation, startup). This could include early-stage development of new technologies and the improvement of existing technologies to transform Finlays’ operations from a cost, quality & product performance point of view.

The role will primarily support the San Antonio, TX manufacturing site, however, may support other JFA sites and therefore require travel within the USA.

Key Responsibilities- Overview

• The role will make a major contribution to Finlay’s business success by using Project Management skills combined with industry related Engineering skills to find practical solutions for problems and opportunities which arise within Finlay’s business. The successful candidate should be able to operate within a multidisciplinary and multi-functional work environment and demonstrate their skills and commitment to team working and project disciplines.
• The role will evaluate key processes, packaging, technologies, and equipment using good engineering principles and use this knowledge to develop improvements. This will include:
• Review of current and new manufacturing techniques and methodologies.
• The development and management of projects from conception through to capital investment proposals, approvals and implementations.
• Evaluation of the cost benefit and development of business cases in collaboration with financial business partners and business unit stakeholders.
• Ensuring the highest standards of process & occupational safety are incorporated in their work.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide engineering designs and solutions for customers to be applied in Finlays’ facilities.
• Develop and maintain schedules for completion of projects from conceptual phase through execution and start-up
• Manage bidding process for new services, equipment and technologies, and, in cooperation with key stakeholders within Finlays, selection best value solutions
• In cooperation with Finance Team, develop financial models for strategic projects and track project budgets through completion
• Build a knowledge base and personal network to become a “go-to” expert within Finlays on key technologies.
• Manage the process of change from existing to future technologies as the business expands in tea and coffee operations, providing an auditable trail of development and documentary records of expected and achieved benefits.
• Conduct meetings, prepare and present reports, and provide information to identify opportunities, establish outline business plans and performance objectives to obtain initial momentum for change.
• Work with Process Engineers, Quality, and others to ensure the commissioning, validation and startup of new equipment and processes.
• In close liaison with key stakeholders, evaluate existing process performance and put in place measures to ensure a continuous evaluation and reporting procedure, taking responsibility for maintaining and developing reporting procedures once set up.
• Take the lead on suitable process or unit equipment projects, taking responsibility for on Budget and timely completion using both internal and external skills and resources.
• Undertake process and equipment trials to the highest standards, documenting and reporting upon these.
• Review and/or create P&ID drawings for current to developing processes.
• Maintain audit ready documentation for all projects.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant Engineering discipline with broad applied experience across the fields of chemical, mechanical, electrical and control engineering.
• 5-10 years experience of broad Engineering.
• Competence & experience in Safety Management relevant to continuous processing and packaged goods sectors.
• Candidate should be able to demonstrate effective time management and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of, and experience in World Class Manufacturing or similar, and track record of achieving change within that environment.
• Knowledge and experience of Quality Assurance systems, especially within the food industry.
• Proven experience in a production environment within the food or allied industry

Skills

• Strong leadership, influencing and advocacy skills.
• Ability to influence from a distance and without the benefit of direct line management authority.
• Excellent communication skills - both verbal and written (e.g., written reports, presentations etc.). Fluency in English is essential, foreign language capability is desirable.
• Ability to adapt to diverse cultures.
• Proven skills in working with interdisciplinary teams.
• AutoCAD
• Microsoft Project

Any employee in doubt as to the role they play in the Finlays quality and food safety management system must reach out to the site Quality Manager or VP of Quality.

Finlays Americas is an equal employment opportunity employer seeking diversity in qualified applicants for employment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, perceived disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status, as defined by applicable law. Finlays employs individuals that are 18 years of age or older.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship