(Locations is flexible ideally located in the Midwest or Southeast to support the Chillicothe, MO; Franklin Park, IL; Waynesville, NC)

A Senior Project Engineer within the Prepared & Specialty Foods (P&SF) is responsible for managing and driving equipment selection and integration into P&SF manufacturing facilities. This will include working with vendors, plant staff and other engineering team members to identify next generation conversion platforms as well as productivity opportunities across all facets of the manufacturing process from raw material handling through the conversion process to product packaging. A strong understating of the plastic conversion process is also key. This position supplies direct project management as well as leadership and mentoring for direct reports as well as other engineering team members at the manufacturing facilities. Keeps the safety of themselves and others as the highest priority in all activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Project Management

• Utilizes proven project management methods and skills to plan and execute a full range of project sizes and scopes including the management of the capital budget, any revisions as well as the overall spending to remain within approved limits.
• Manages projects and motivates team members to execute projects on time within budget supplying a quality end product for operations.
• Has strong communication skills and supplies clear and concise written and verbal updates at appropriate intervals.
• Has knowledge of plant systems and is capable of troubleshooting problems and making recommendations for repair or upgrades as well as new system installations.
• Able to create, modify and interpret plant and line layout drawings
• Works well with all levels of the organization from operations technical staff through upper management.

Provide Technology Leadership

• In partnership with the business, conducts ongoing assessment of conversion platforms and systems equipment to identify those that bring productivity and value to Sonoco.
• In conjunction with Sonoco Supply Management builds strong vendor relations identifying and leveraging vendor technologies and value for Sonoco.
• Role model for the Sonoco engineering organization.

Provide Team Leadership

• Contributes to an environment which motivates and engages talent in the engineering organization to achieve desired results.
• Fosters a positive work environment through open communications and an atmosphere of teamwork.
• Provides leadership by example of good work ethics, sound judgement and positive results as well as how to learn from failures.

Required Skills

• Results orientation; high levels of personal initiative, energy and ownership for success
• Inquisitive mind; actively keeps abreast of new and developing technologies inside and outside of the industry
• Strong technical skills related to equipment selection, function and installation
• Experience with new equipment/technology startups a plus
• CAD software both 2D and 3D capability preferred
• Strong team leadership and ability to work well across teams and in a matrix organization
• Good interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work equally well with peers, superiors, and subordinates
• Strong project management skills; well organized; able to manage multiple projects at a detailed level in various stages of progress
• Good judgment and decision making process

Experience

• 5-10 years of relevant experience in a manufacturing environment with a preference for plastics and thermoforming experience

Other

• Travelling to P&SF locations as well as vendors will vary based on projects and schedules but estimate up to an average of 50% of the time

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.