Continuous Improvement Engineer

Eastridge Workforce Solutions is partnering with a Fortune 500 provider of ingredient solutions company in its search for a 1st shift Continuous Improvement Engineer. Our Richland, WA, client makes sweeteners, starches, nutrition ingredients, and biomaterials that are used by customers in everyday products from foods and beverages to paper and pharmaceuticals. For immediate consideration for this role, apply today.

Responsibilities:

• As a Continuous Improvement Engineer you are responsible for leading the continuous improvement process and providing technical support, including process studies, problem solving, and process optimization.
• Lead the implementation, sustainability, and enhancements of the Performance System (IPS) at West Potato's three facilities (Richland, WA, Moses Lake, WA, and Idaho Fall, ID). (occasional visits to the plants)
• Support the implementation of the CI/IPS management system and other CI/IPS-related activities while ensuring the sustainability of management system tools like routine dashboards, OEE measurement, and other routine indicators.
• Deliver management system training that includes concepts, tools, and deliverables to achieve awareness and facilitate CI/IPS adoption and cultural change.
• Help establish a baseline of main KPI’s and support the unit leadership team during target setting according to regional, financial, and functional goals.
• Maintain an improvement plan or project portfolio (safety, quality, service, cost reduction, etc.) through gap analysis to recommend and implement process improvements to drive unit target achievement and organizational effectiveness.
• Support diverse cost reduction, productivity enhancement, and safety and quality improvement targets for the plant (PDCA, LSS, Kaizen, etc.).
• Act as a liaison between the manufacturing plant and the production technology (IT) team.
• Support the plant team to achieve their sustainability goals using CI tools.
• Participate in regional and local Manufacturing Excellence and CI Team regional meetings to identify new practices for the plant's success.
• Evaluate new technologies and ideas and seek approval for new concepts to improve the efficiency and capability of the process, the safety of the facility, and product quality.
• Help drive the implementation of the digital OEE system and reporting for the unit.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, ideation workshops, RCA studies, and other CI activities that support plant performance enhancement.
• Leverage analytical and problem-solving skills to support plant management in the identification of key success drivers and the execution of improvement objectives.
• Lead/act like a change agent to achieve continuous improvement and a performance-focused culture through collaboration with all business and functional units in the region to ensure alignment of improvement initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with the plant leaders to multiply knowledge in CI methodologies and act as a changing agent of the culture.
• Support employee training in the proper application of continuous improvement and IPS concepts.
• Coach and mentor plant teams/ individuals to ensure successful completion of IPS implementation and CI activities.
• Support the preparation of skill matrix deployment as part of the management system.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, or Manufacturing engineering
• Experience in Process/Industrial Engineering
• Trained in Lean Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing Practices and SPC. Green Belt/Black Belt certification desired
• Demonstrated knowledge of engineering and unit operations relevant to the corn wet milling industry, such as basic chemistry, heat and mass balances, mechanics and physical/chemical separation and energy management.
• Strong knowledge of digital systems including OEE, integrated action tracking, and KPI reporting.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft tools such as PowerApps, PowerBI, and Power Automate preferred

Desirable requirements:

• Experience working in and supporting lean management systems
• Green Belt certification desired but not required
• Prefer 1-3 years of continuous improvement experience
• Experience implementing OEE, electronic paperwork, or other digital process improvement solutions

Eastridge Workforce Solutions is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Please note that Eastridge is unable to provide visa sponsorship to applicants.

We value diverse experiences, including prior contact with the criminal legal system, and applicants with criminal histories are encouraged to apply.Certain clients require Eastridge to perform background checks and Eastridge will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with any applicable federal, state, or local law regarding criminal backgrounds,

#IPRO