Engineering Manager - Packing Automation (Remote)

Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. Working in 100 locations globally, with annual sales exceeding $4 billion, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.

PURPOSE STATEMENT

The Engineering Manager - Packing Automation is responsible for the development and delivery of technology-based operational cost optimization solutions, including the ideation, design, validation and implementation of equipment technology solutions that positively transform the way our manufacturing operations run daily by improving overall productivity and performance, while guaranteeing operator safety and maintaining or improving product safety and quality.  The Automation Engineering Manager will also collaborate with Manufacturing and R&D to identify packaging process changes and line optimization opportunities for new or existing operations to drive efficiencies, interdependent designs and cost savings.

Key responsibilities include researching, analyzing, simulating, designing, programming, piloting, troubleshooting, implementing and managing advanced packing automation solutions, including robotics, in-line quality control solutions, vision systems, breakthrough packaging technologies, and advanced controls systems, following Reliability Engineering principles and Technology Validation protocols.  Additional responsibilities include providing feedback to design on packaging materials for improved processability, reliability, quality, and cost optimization, as well as identification and implementation of material cost savings through simplification and technical solutions. 

The Engineering Manager - Packing Automation will develop new business cases for automation and savings initiatives and manage capital and material optimization projects from conceptual design through vertical start up. This includes scoping engineering and material technical solutions, justifications, hands-on project management, vendor management, on-site start-up leadership, validation of the equipment, materials, and line performance, as well as owning the overall delivery of success criteria.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/OUTCOMES

•    Defines manufacturing opportunities that can be solved through packaging design and/or packing technology, controls and/or automation solutions, develops sound technical and business proposals to help obtain leadership support for evaluation and execution.
•    Performs technical calculations and development work that support material and technology requirements and recommendations, connects with materials, equipment, controls and software vendors, as well as manufacturing operations partners, to create technical solutions, and collaborates with internal and external resources to deliver them.
•    Takes projects through technical discovery, design and delivery by analyzing and documenting options, preparing and executing block diagrams, transformation flow sheets, process simulations, risk assessments, Failure Mode Analysis, reliability and quality analyses, study lists, cost estimates, safety studies, technical recommendations, schedule, prototyping, learning plans, test plans, equipment/material testing, troubleshooting, equipment/material acceptance, construction and start-up plans.
•    Leads as the Project Manager, directly owning and delivering project scope, cost, technical readiness, justification and funding, management reviews, project execution plans, overall construction, schedule adherence, start-up and delivery of all project success criteria.
•    Partners with Manufacturing Operations and/or Package Development on technology and/or packaging material solutions to deliver safety, quality, reliability, operability, maintainability, sustainability and cost targets, as well as technology transfer and training needs.
•    Works with packaging materials, equipment and technology vendors to develop and deliver best in class solutions at committed cost, quality, schedule and technical results.
•    Creates and manages equipment/technology documentation and standards.
•    Communicates well with leadership regarding project progress and plans.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE

•    Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Automation or Robotics Engineering is required.
•    Minimum ten (10) years of experience in Packaging/Packing and Process Te