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Project Engineer

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Who are we?

Since Day 1, KIND has had a vision for a kinder and healthier world. A world in which people never have to choose between what tastes good, feels good, and does good when it comes to their snacking.    

Our iconic KIND® bars – made with real, recognizable ingredients – sparked the growth of an entirely new healthy snacking category back in 2004. Now, KIND has a family of more than 80 snacks that offer solutions for a variety of occasions. All of KIND's products lead with a nutrient-dense first ingredient – like nuts or whole grains – and do not contain genetically engineered ingredients, sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners.  

We’re looking for passionate collaborators to help us become the foremost leader in health & wellness and positively impact society along the way. If you’re looking to be a part of an inspiring, energetic and entrepreneurial environment, you’ve found the right place.

What you'll do

As a collection of brands including KIND, Nature’s Bakery, and trü frü within the Health and Wellness Division of Mars Snacking, we are proud to offer healthy snacking options to our consumers. From granola to snack bars and better for you hyper-chilled and hyper-dried chocolate covered fruit, we believe that the choice to snack healthier should be an easy and desirable one.  With real, recognizable ingredients in every bite, we’re on a mission to inspire everyone to snack better.

We’re on the lookout for a passionate Project Engineer to join our dynamic, growth-oriented team! If you’re someone who loves to dive in and make things happen, we want you!

Reporting to Director Project Engineering, Mars Health & Wellness Platform, the Project Engineer will plan, organize, and lead engineering functions that will drive us to achieve, KIND North America AOP strategy, productivity initiatives within current and future network, influence and direct capex investment strategy, and optimize a foundational continuous improvement model. How you'll do it..

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

  • Work cross functionally with KNA manufacturing team to help build and execute technical strategy to support broader AOP business objectives
    • Driven executional leadership to complete technical network projects
    • Strategic planning leadership for optimized network to deliver cost, quality, service key business goals
    • Critical cross functional team management skills to incorporate supply chain project management, R&D, Pkg Engineering, Procurement, and Quality Food Safety resources to deliver key network objectives
  • Lead Process engineering efforts for productivity initiatives within existing network:
    • Assess current strategy and align on optimized opportunities to build out manufacturing pipeline for next 3-5 years
    • Develop technical plans, protocols, and executional resources required to achieve critical projects
    • Lead external and internal partners through critical project scope and success criteria
    • Lead technical assessment of manufacturing lines to validate capability of a manufacturing process for lift/shift network projects
    • Develop, revise, and optimize manufacturing processes encompassing mechanical, electrical, and software engineering as business need dictates
    • Timely communication of trip reports highlighting critical results and key next steps.
  • Assist in the development of KNA AOP strategy
    • Strong blend of management, technical, and analytical skills to oversee and manage projects across multiple cross functional priorities
    • Help influence and drive execution of 3-5 year capex strategy
    • Formalize, communicate, and align all critical stakeholders through existing formal approval processes
  • Leverage basic continuous improvement skills and tools to streamline operational losses and inefficiencies
    • Coach and lead current network resources through basic fundamental concepts of CI principles
    • Utilize problem-solving tools in various situations, including root cause analysis, flowcharts, and fishbone diagrams
    • Track and monitor processes, including but not limited to production throughput, cycle times, scrap performance, efficiency etc. Conduct data analysis to monitor and report production performance
    • Identify and lead collaboration efforts to improve efficiency, reduce risk and minimize costs in our processes and systems
    • Research and suggest equipment design concepts and fundamental technology used for potential improvement for existing processes
  • Partner with Manufacturing and Quality functions, review and monitor quality opportunities and process improvements to achieve consumer product quality goals
  • Execute Innovation projects related to new Line Extensions
  • Develop, revise and optimize processing parameters as required
  • Role requires 20% - 40% travel

 

What you'll bring...

  • Sense of urgency and a can-do attitude
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • A partnership and relationship-based approach in working with internal and external business partners. Always presenting a “we vs. me” attitude.
  • A willingness to challenge our “Way of Work” to maximize our resources and enhance our success rate
  • Strong analytical skills

 

You are...

  • Self-driven, highly motivated and energized to build and evolve teams within the commercial space
  • An owner - Accountable for your commitments and how you achieve results, always with an ownership mindset
  • A change leader – With insatiable drive to achieve, learn and improve
  • A problem solver – Flexible and forward thinking with a creative and solution orientated approach
  • Committed to excellence - With high quality standards and strong attention to detail
  • Flexible and results driven – Able to manage, adapt, and dynamically prioritize multiple work-streams with a positive 'whatever it takes' attitude. Able to work under pressure and meet goals under rapidly changing conditions
  • Entrepreneurial - Scrappy enough to get things done with brilliance and flawlessly execute projects despite limited resources
  • Kind - Genuine in your desire to help make the world a kinder place, committing to always spreading and celebrating kindness

 

You have...

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in a high-volume R&D and manufacturing environment, preferably in the Consumer Package Goods Industry
  • Bachelor’s Degree in technical engineering/science field preferred or related field of study required
  • Demonstrated ability to lead projects and direct/motivate project teams.
  • Communication skills to work with all levels of the organization from manufacturing employees to corporate executives.
  • Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, results-oriented culture.
  • Demonstrated ability to function effectively in stressful, fast-paced situations, with the personal leadership to influence and positively motivate self and peers.
  • Demonstrated performance in developing and commercializing new products/technology in collaboration with Quality, NPD, Operations, Marketing, etc.
  • Experience in FDA regulated environments preferred.
  • Experience with frozen foods preferred.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.

 

Certain states and localities require employers to post a reasonable estimate of salary range. A reasonable estimate of the current base salary range for this position is $107,500.00 - $135,000.00. Actual salary will be based on a variety of factors, including location, experience, skill set, performance, licensure and certification, and business needs. The range for this position in other geographic locations may differ.

 

 

What KIND offers 

  • 401(K) or RRSP's with generous company match
  • Flexible Paid Time Off. Choose what works best for you, including summer hours. Paid parental leave. 
  • Excellent health, dental & vision insurance, with options to fit you & your family’s needs 
  • Company paid disability and life insurance to provide income protection 
  • Your health is important! Our wellness strategy focuses on mental and physical wellbeing via programs like Employee Assistance Program, a wellness subsidy, healthy food options and gym facility in HQ. 
  • Casual office dress code– feel free to wear your KIND gear 
  • Stock up on your favorite KIND bars to share with your family & friends, through a quarterly voucher 
  • Training & tuition reimbursement program, because continuing to learn matters and we support your development 
  • A dynamic, ambitious, fun and KIND work environment 
  • Charitable Donation Matching: KIND matches your charitable donations up to $1000 annually through our donation matching portal. 

 

EEO 

At KIND, we are committed to an inclusive workplace where diversity in all its forms is championed. KIND is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, and we are an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you require special accommodation, please let us know. 

 

Privacy Policy

Mars and its family of brands is committed to transparency and responsibility in how we handle the personal data entrusted to us by our customers and consumers. To learn more about our privacy policy please follow this link.

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