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 Packing Automation Principal Engineering Manager is responsible for the development and delivery of technology-based operational cost optimization solutions. These include the ideation, selection, development, 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 Packing Automation Principal 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, developing, testing, 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 Packing Automation Principal Engineering Manager 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, developing concepts through proof of principal and small scale test stands, project 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.

Our ideal candidate will have previous machine/tooling design experience, and experience working in a plant environment.

We are happy to consider remote candidates, with expected travel of around 30%.

Key Accountabilities and Outcomes

Define manufacturing opportunities that can be solved through process/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.
Perform technical calculations, analysis 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.
Take projects through technical discovery, design and delivery by analyzing and documenting options, preparing and executing block diagrams, transformation flow sheets, process simulations, small scale testing, 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.
Act as technical project lead SME, directly owning and delivering project management to funding that consists of 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.
Partner 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.
Work with packaging materials, equipment and technology vendors to develop and deliver best in class solutions at committed cost, quality, schedule and technical results.
Create and manage equipment/technology documentation and standards.
Communicate well with leadership regarding project progress and plans.

All other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Required:

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Automation or Robotics Engineering is required.
Minimum ten (10) years of experience in Packaging/Packing and Process Technology Engineering, or comparable experience improving or developing packaging/packing and process equipment.
Demonstrated experience in successfully managing 3rd party engineering vendors & OEM’s to deliver breakthrough results, including developing Request for Proposals, developing technical options, evaluations, and recommendations.
Ability to use Autocad and 3D design tools for equipment design reviews and developing plant layout options.
Capable of efficiently adapting and integrating existing processes with available solutions or new inventions to solve difficult manufacturing problems.
Demonstrated experience in identifying losses in a TPM environment, Continuous Improvement, and Six Sigma.
Self-managed, motivated for independent work and driving solutions.
Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of associates across multiple divisions and at all organizational levels.
Skill in organizing and influencing technical resources and establishing complex priorities.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, Project, Visio).

Preferred:

Demonstrated experience in manufacturing equipment design and testing.
FMEA experience.
Front end engineering experience.
Experience with machine/tooling design.
Previous experience working in a plant environment.

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COMPENSATION

In accordance with state law, the rate or range provided is Rich Products Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Rich's"), reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may be higher or lower, based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, shift differential, and location.

Annual Range/Hourly Rate

$133,120.00 - $199,680.00

Rich Products Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Rich’s”), are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity, standing up for fairness and maintaining a culture of belonging, to provide an exceptional experience for all. We will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, military or veteran status, or any other Federal or State legally protected classes. The information collected by this application is solely to determine suitability for employment, verify identity, and maintain employment statistics on applicants.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Rich’s. Please contact Rich’s Associate Experience Network at hrhelp@rich.com if you need assistance completing this application or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Rich Products Corporation

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