Assistant Plant Engineer

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A great job-and a great future-awaits you at Smithfield Foods. We are an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. We’re looking for motivated people who want to join our team and grow lasting and meaningful careers with us. Apply Now!

Your Opportunity

As part of our Engineering team, you would analyze data, draft implementation plans for production process optimization. Seeking out ways to maximize efficiencies by eliminating the waste of valuable resources that directly impact our overall operating costs. You are instrumental to the manufacturing of Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan’s Famous, and our other product brands, to meet the needs of our customers and consumers.

Under the direction of the Plant Engineer, the Assistant Plant Engineer is responsible for managing the activities of the maintenance department of a plant to keep building and equipment in proper state of repair, in order to reduce mechanical downtime and keep product flow and production lines running at maximum efficiency. Responsible for the development and implementation of maintenance systems associated with High Performing Manufacturing Organizations (Preventative/ Predictive Maintenance, TPM, etc.).

Core Responsibilities

Maintenance Systems

• Lead the Maintenance Department effort in the development and implementation of maintenance systems associated with High Performing Manufacturing Organizations (Preventive/Predictive Maintenance, TPM, etc.). 

• Ensure proper scheduling of resources to maximize amount of work completed while minimizing plant downtime.  Additionally, these systems will provide maximum plant capacity, while minimizing cost.  The result is reduced unscheduled downtime, creating higher plant efficiency.

Maintenance Staff and Safety

• Manage the maintenance staff through delegation, policy and procedure administration, assignment of work responsibilities, planning, organizing, directing and follow-up of the work assignment. 

• Champion plant safety efforts within the department through administration and enforcement of company and plant policies/procedures.  Facilitate employee training.

Solutions

• Participate in and drive long-term solution development.  Under the direction of the Plant Engineer, deliver day-to-day support to all operating teams having issues with troubleshooting, problem analysis, equipment failures, etc. 

• Ensure the smooth daily operation of the plant with minimal repetitive issues in a positive work environment.

Project Development 

• Capital project development and post-approval management.  

• Assist Plant Enigneer in management and scheduling of project elements to ensure minimal interruption to plant operations.  

• Delivers finished projects as designed, on time and on budget with no safety, food safety or environmental issues. 

Key Performance Indicators 

• Develops and/or maintains Key Performance Indicators with the Plant Engineer for tracking and reporting the performance of the maintenance function (supplier performance, equipment reliability, overall equipment effectiveness, etc.).

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

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 to perform the essential functions.

•  Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 5+ years of relevant experience in a manufacturing environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, required.

• Experience in a position of leadership to include team development and management, required.

• Possess thorough knowled