Manager Engineer - Sorting, Inspection & Defect Removal
Lamb Weston

Job Info

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Title: Manager Engineer - Sorting, Inspection & Defect Removal

Location: Kennewick, WA

About Lamb Weston

We love making fries almost as much as you like eating them! Since the 1950's, Lamb Weston has inspired customers with food they love, trust, and share with families and friends. As a leading global manufacturer of quality frozen potato products with over 10,000+ team members around the world, it's our business to see the possibilities in potatoes and people.

We are looking for team members with an appetite for a challenge! People who are hungry to join a winning team and help us make a difference in the world. When you join Lamb Weston, you join a community with a strong support network and training programs designed to nurture, inspire, and help you grow.

We are driven by a relentless pursuit of results and by people who think creatively and embrace our values of: Integrity, Teamwork, Inclusion, Drive for Results, and Empowerment. Exactly what you'd expect from the most inventive potato company in the world!

Join Lamb Weston! We bring the world together with our fries.

Job Description Summary

This position provides quality technical leadership to Global Engineering's (GE) Sorting and Inspection team, including Lamb Weston's Automatic Defect Removal (LADRE), and a key responsibility is development and design of Sorting Equipment and document, and promote the strategic vision for those technical disciplines.

Job Description

Job Purpose

This position provides quality technical leadership to Global Engineering's (GE) Sorting and Inspection team, including Lamb Weston's Automatic Defect Removal (LADRE), and will develop, document, and promote the strategic vision for those technical disciplines. Additionally, this position will serve as a key interface between GE and Operations for strategic initiatives, projects, and day-to-day plant operations.

As a technical SME (Subject Matter Expert), this position serves as a consultant, providing technical information, recommendations, and specifications for all things Sorting and Inspection. A key responsibility is development and design of Sorting Equipment and review of project documentation to ensure compliance with performance criteria, company standards, and established industry best practices. The incumbent will perform research, analysis, and testing of emerging technologies with the goal of determining viability for Lamb Weston.

This role will also provide direct and indirect support for Lamb Weston's manufacturing facilities around the globe. The incumbent will be responsible for providing remote and onsite troubleshooting support to reduce downtime, providing recommendations for sorter and Inspection maintenance, identifying ways to increase operational reliability, participating in root cause analysis for equipment failures, and supporting the plants with capital project planning, execution, and commissioning.

At Lamb Weston, we grow our people. The successful applicant must coach Lamb Weston associates, technical and non-technical alike, for effective and efficient equipment design and system maintenance. Whether directly, or through contractors, the successful applicant will develop and deliver high quality designs and drawings, facilitating rapid implementation. Working closely with the various levels of GTS Operations Management, EHSS, Food Protection, Engineering, Continuous Improvement, Plant Staff, and Production Personnel is critical. This position is based out of our Kennewick, Washington, engineering office.

Job Responsibilities:

Scope:

• Manage the GE Sorting and Inspection team and provide mentoring to develop and advance professional capabilities of the department.
• Responsible for the development of Sorting / Inspection Equipment via machine design and development.
• Provide support to the Global Engineering Standards and Design Programs, including development and review of specifications.
• Review and/or develop project scopes.
• Lead enterprise initiatives, resources, and long-term strategies around Sorting and Inspection.
• Partner internally and externally (Universities, suppliers, competitive scouting) to identify and champion technologies that can be adapted for our needs.
• Develop processes according to GE processes and standards.
• Examine needs on new systems and equipment; calculate costs and help prepare budgets.
• Monitor maintenance and inspection plans.
• Design & execute experiments & plant trials independently and with teams and prepare results & recommendations for review.
• Ensure installation and operations conform to standards and requirements by preparing and/or reviewing specifications and technical drawings
• Write reports and compile data regarding existing and potential engineering projects and studies.
• Provide guidance and development on best practices for plant sorting systems, and lead FI (Focused Improvement) and RCA (Root Cause Analysis) initiatives as required
• Monitor effectiveness of overall program and condition of our Sorters, Inspection and Defect removal systems.
• Identify and promote energy savings and system improvement opportunities.
• Accountable for timely, accurate and effective implementation of engineering and project related work.

Basic & Preferred Qualifications

Position Requirements:

Education/ Certifications:

• BS in an Engineering or related field required. Mechanical Engineering preferred.

Skills and Experience:

• 10+ years of experience with proven leadership in food process technology or related areas of work.
• Experience in project management and maintenance engineering is preferred.
• Food processing experience is preferred.
• Proven troubleshooting skills with demonstrated ability to execute root cause analysis and follow through with corrective actions.
• Thorough understanding of food safety, sanitary design, & equipment cleaning.
• Demonstrated design software experience. (AutoCAD and SolidWorks preferred)
• Experience in energy savings and sustainability initiatives.
• Manufacturing plant experience in production/quality assurance/support is preferred.
• Must be detail orientated, possess excellent technical and analytical skills, and be a proven self-starter.
• Demonstrated capability to work on teams and support others.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in desktop applications to include Windows, Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Experience with plant engineering, maintenance & operations.

Physical Environment/Demands:

• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time on average with peaks occasionally exceeding that amount.
• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.
• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at desk or computer terminal.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment.
• Valid Driver's License and driving record that meets Lamb Weston Driving Standards.
• Occasional and brief exposure to temperatures ranging from -20 degrees below zero to 35 degrees Fahrenheit in Freezer Operation and 37 degrees to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in Plant Operation.
• Exposed to plant noises and vibrations.
• Climbing to various heights via stairs or ladders on an infrequent basis.
• Ability to travel internationally.

Industry-Competitive Benefits

Coupled with our compensation and bonus incentive programs, our benefits deliver rewards that are market competitive. Some of the most attractive elements of our benefit programs include:

• Health Insurance Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision
  
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Health and Dependent Care, and Health Reimbursement Accounts
  
• Well-being programs including companywide events and a wellness incentive program
  
• Paid Time Off
  
• Financial Wellness - Industry leading 401(k) plan with generous company contributions, Financial Planning Services, Employee Stock purchase program, and Health Savings Accounts, Life and Accident insurance
  
• Family-Friendly Employee events
  
• Employee Assistance Program services - mental health and other concierge type services
  

Benefits may vary based on location, job role/level, job status, and/or the terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Job Requisition ID: Req-255248

Time Type: Full time

Anticipated Close Date: 09/10/2024

In compliance with applicable state and local laws, Lamb Weston has opted to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. This compensation is specific to this position and takes into account a number of variables. Actual compensation may be higher or lower in the range posted based on various factors, including, but not limited to, job duties, experience and expertise. A candidate's work location could also impact the actual compensation being outside of the range to reflect local cost of labor. A reasonable annual estimate of the range for this role based on the variables previously mentioned is: $123,900.00 - $185,830.00

Lamb Weston is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law

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